Recipes help promote pulse consumption
University of Saskatchewan researchers Phil Chilibeck and Gord Zello have used a $10,000 award from the Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation’s Research Connections: COVID-19 Rapid Response program to publish a collection of recipes that use lentils, chickpeas, beans and peas.
The online cookbook contains 50 legume-based recipes. It’s a culmination more than 15 years of research on the benefits of pulses in the diet.
Eating pulses benefits people during decreased activity, like a pandemic, because they help reduce cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hypertension and obesity — conditions that can lead to complications if COVID-19 is contracted.
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Farming Smarter receives financial boost from Alberta government for potato research
Farming Smarter near Lethbridge got a boost to its research equipment, thanks to the Alberta government’s increase in funding for research associations.
The researchers are also working with the Food Development Centre in Saskatoon to create pre-packaged meals based on some of the recipes. These are undergoing trials with the aim selling them to the public.
Recipes are available at epicallyhealthy.wixsite.com/epichealth.
4-H Canada, BASF renew partnership
4-H Canada and BASF Canada Agricultural Solutions have renewed their partnership to help youth leaders make contributions to their communities.
BASF will continue as lead partner of 4-H Canada’s Community Engagement and Communications Pillar programming at national and provincial levels via a three-year, $600,000 contribution agreement.
Last year, the partnership supported 4-H Canada’s Youth Advisory Committee, the annual Show Your 4-H Colours campaign and provincial youth leadership programming in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario. More than 260 young people took part in these provincial programs in 2020.
The programs will continue to be funded through 2023.
Ont. grain farmers elect chair
Brendan Byrne has been elected chair for Grain Farmers of Ontario.
Byrne is the district director for District 1 (Essex) and has served on the board since 2015. He farms with his father and family in Essex County.
Other newly elected executive committee members include
Jeff Harrison, director for District 12 (Durham, Northumberland, Kawartha, Peterborough, Hastings) and Scott Persall, director for District 5 (Elgin and Norfolk), will serve as vice-chairs; and Josh Boersen, director for District 9 (Perth) is the executive member.
Egg research proposals sought
Egg Farmers of Alberta is calling for research proposals and has budgeted $125,000, an increase from last year’s $110,000.
Some research priorities include the impact of lighting on the welfare of pullets and laying hens, management practices to reduce dust, factors impacting vaccine effectiveness, identifying genetic fits for alternative housing systems, and characterizing the risks and attributes of Salmonella strains that are prevalent in Alberta.
New this year is a requirement that proposals include technology transfer so that egg farmers get the benefits of the research investment.
Wheat growers eligible for tax credit
Wheat growers who pay the Alberta Wheat Commission checkoff are eligible for a 31 percent tax credit for their investment in wheat research and development projects through the Scientific Research and Experimental Development tax credits.
