Root rot research receives funding
The Alberta Pulse Growers Commission plans to invest $3 million over five years for research projects that reduce the risk of root rot, a major issue for Alberta pea and lentil growers.
Over the past decade, the organization has invested $3.7 million in projects related to root rots, including more than $2 million for projects directly aimed at root rot issues.
Significant effort has been made to understand the disease, correctly diagnose it and address the intricacies of the complex interaction between plant, pathogen and environment.
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Agriculture ministers agree to AgriStability changes
federal government proposed several months ago to increase the compensation rate from 80 to 90 per cent and double the maximum payment from $3 million to $6 million
However, there have been no significant breakthroughs so far.
Awards presented to organic farmers
Christa Woudwijk was awarded Sask Organics’ education scholarship for the second year in a row. She grew up on a farm near Outlook, Sask., and is enrolled at the University of Saskatchewan’s College of Agriculture where she is pursuing a bachelor of science degree in animal bioscience.
Janet and Alex Galarneau are outstanding organic farmer award recipients for this year. The couple operate Prairie Heritage Seeds from their family farm near Radville, Sask.
The Galarneaus have been active in several organic organizations, including international boards for certification of organic farming and Organic Connections. They conduct producer research on their farm, host field days, volunteer to speak at field days and workshops and mentor other organic farmers.
Classroom garden celebrates 15 years
Little Green Thumbs, a classroom garden program that started in Saskatchewan in 2007, celebrates 15 years of operation and more than 1,100 indoor classroom gardens growing each school year.
More than 150,000 students across Canada have grown a classroom garden during that time.
The program is managed by Agriculture in the Classroom Saskatchewan.
Students participate in planting and caring for their garden in the classroom, growing a variety of vegetables such as lettuce, beans, cucumbers and tomatoes.
WGRF names new chair
Laura Reiter of Radisson, Sask., was elected as the new chair of the Western Grains Research Foundation, replacing Keith Degenhardt.
Kevin Auch of Carmangay, Alta., was re-elected as the vice-chair.
Since 1981, WGRF has funded more than $229 million of research in field crops of interest to western Canadian farmers.
The WGRF board of directors for 2023 includes Doug Martin of East Selkirk and Jill Verwey of Portage la Prairie from Manitoba, Adam Littman of Saltcoats, Greg Sundquist of Watrous, Glenn Wright of Vanscoy, Jeremy Welter of Kerrobert, Kenton Possberg of Humboldt, Laura Reiter of Radisson, Mark Akins of Hearne, Terry Boehm of Allan and Wade Hainstock of Moose Jaw from Saskatchewan and Dave Bishop of Barons, Dick Wymenga of Leslieville, Jeff Nielsen of Olds, Kevin Auch of Carmangay, Mike Ammeter of Sylvan Lake and Robert Kennedy of Hughenden from Alberta. Malcolm of Odermatt of Fort St. John, B.C., was also selected.
CFIA conducts seed consultation
The Seed Regulatory Modernization Consultation by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency is open until May 1.
The consultation is part of a regulatory review of seed regulations.
The CFIA will use the results of this survey, along with the input of the Seed Regulation Modernization Working Group, to produce a report and then host a series of stakeholder consultations on these topics later this year.
Farmer health study planned
Farm Management Canada and the University of Manitoba plan to study the health and well-being of dairy farmers and what factors influence farmer health and well-being.
Farmers are asked to complete an online survey and then, if selected, will take part in a one-hour audio recorded interview, either in person or online via Zoom.
More information is at farmerwellbeing@umanitoba.ca or by calling 613-532-5923.
