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Saskatchewan investing $7.7 million in crop research

Federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Lawrence MacAulay and Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister Lyle Stewart announced nearly $7.7 million in funding for 46 crop-related research projects through the province’s Agriculture Development Fund (ADF).

“Research in agriculture is the key to maintaining a competitive edge, and that’s why the federal government, in partnership with provinces and agriculture organizations, invests in research," MacAulay said. "These millions of dollars invested into crops research in Saskatchewan over the years will help create growth and put more money in the pockets of farmers within the sector."

The 46 projects receiving funding this year include research on:

·      Improving plant breeding technology specifically to test for DON toxins that are the result of Fusarium head blight infection in wheat.

·      Optimizing loss-sensing technology on farm equipment to minimize losses at harvest.

·      Development of a pulse-based replacement for shortening that can be used in baked goods, to name a few.

The ADF announcement leverages significant funding from industry partners, on top of government funding.  A total of almost $3.7 million is being committed from partner organizations that include Western Grains Research Foundation, SaskPulse, SaskCanola, SaskFlax, Sask Wheat and Alberta Wheat Commission.

ADF funding is part of the $26.8 million the Government of Saskatchewan committed to agriculture research for 2016-17.  Funding for ADF projects is provided under Growing Forward 2, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative.

For more information, and to see a complete list of funded projects, visit saskatchewan.ca

January 11, 2017  By Government of Saskatchewan


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