Broiler chickens are several times larger than those from the 1950s, and the reason is simple: genetics. Martin Zuidhof of the University of Alberta did a study in 2005, when he was still with Alberta Agriculture, that compared breeds from 1957, 1978 and 2005. He and his team raised these three lines from hatching eggs […] Read more
Tag Archives Research
Identifying cutworm species key to effective control
DNA identification | Different species feed at different times so proper insecticide timing is critical
At a glance, it can be difficult to distinguish one species of cutworm from another. It’s why researchers have been taking a closer look at the insect pest, all the way down to its DNA. A laboratory test can now use DNA markers to quickly identify five species of cutworms, which feed on canola, forage […] Read more
PED vaccine gains conditional approval
CHICAGO (Reuters) — Zoetis Inc. has received a conditional licence from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for its vaccine against a deadly piglet virus and will begin selling it this month in the United States, the company said last week. With its new vaccine, Zoetis, the world’s largest animal-health company, joins a growing push by […] Read more
Tomato upgrade comes with purple hue
Packed with anthocyans The nutritious purple tomato has been found to have anti-inflammatory properties
RIDGETOWN, Ont. — The search for a healthier processing tomato continues at the University of Guelph’s Ridgetown Campus. Researcher Steven Loewen told a Vegetable Day held on the campus July 17 that he now has a line of purple-skinned tomatoes. Unlike heritage tomatoes, which are often more brown than purple, Loewen said his purple tomato […] Read more
Researchers test pig virus protein to produce vaccine
LONDON, Ont. — Saskatchewan and Ontario researchers have begun testing potential new vaccines they hope will counter the porcine epidemic diarrhea virus. In Saskatoon, the associate director of the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization said the evaluation will use intentionally infected piglets housed in the Level 3 containment facilities at the International Vaccine Centre (Intervac). […] Read more
Partners pool $90M to fund food, fish research
Proposals sought | Western Grains Research Foundation contributing $5 million to assist crop production projects
Genome Canada is looking for scientists to help boost Canada’s understanding of the genetic resources available to the agriculture, agri-food, fisheries and aquaculture sectors. The organization, in partnership with the Western Grains Research Foundation (WGRF), announced June 16 that it would entertain requests for funding to support research projects that “create new knowledge, … inform […] Read more
What goes in, what goes out closely monitored
Special delivery | Milking cows at University of Alberta are carefully monitored for research
EDMONTON — The barn milks dairy cows, but that’s where the similarity with other dairy barns ends at the University of Alberta’s Dairy Research Technology Centre. Research is the key focus of the barn and its 146 milking cows. Feed is carefully weighed and measured in a special tub that is placed in front of […] Read more
Experts focus on water use
Producing higher yields using less water would feed more people
LINDELL BEACH, B.C. — Climate change is starting to focus on water productivity and the amount of food produced in relation to the amount of water consumed. These issues will become even bigger for farmers and consumers as precipitation patterns change and the global population increases. Scientists with the University of Minnesota’s Institute on the […] Read more
Computer algorithm monitors moisture
Manitoba entrepreneurs are using a basic principle of physics, that light behaves differently in water, to measure moisture levels inside grain bins. While the technology remains at the proof of concept phase, scientists behind the system think it could compete with existing methods to measure grain moisture content. “The current technology is basically a temperature […] Read more
Beef industry lauds new forage research
U of S forage chair appointed | Provincial, federal governments commit $1.25 million to forage research over two years
MOOSE JAW, Sask. — Saskatchewan’s beef industry has applauded the announcement of a forage research chair at the University of Saskatchewan. Cattle producers and other industry stakeholders have lobbied for more forage research for several years. Provincial agriculture minister Lyle Stewart told the recent Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association convention that the province and Ottawa would […] Read more
