Wheat
Forty-six  projects will be funded as result of the investment.
 
SASKATOON, SASKATCHEWAN, CANADA — Canada’s federal and provincial Saskatchewan government will invest C$7.7 million in funding to research 46 crop-related projects through the province’s Agriculture Development Fund (ADF).

The 46 projects receiving funding this year are diverse and 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; and the development of a pulse-based replacement for shortening that may be used in baked goods, to name a few. The ADF funding is part of the C$26.8 million the government of Saskatchewan committed to agriculture research for 2016-17.

"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,” said Lawrence MacAulay, minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food. “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 ADF announcement leverages significant funding from industry partners, on top of government funding. A total of almost C$3.7 million is being committed from partner organizations that include Western Grains Research Foundation, SaskPulse, SaskCanola, SaskFlax, Sask Wheat, and Alberta Wheat Commission.

"Ongoing investments into research and development provide Saskatchewan farmers and ranchers the ability to be competitive in the global marketplace, while producing food sustainably,” said Lyle Stewart, Saskatchewan Minister of Agriculture. “Continual innovation through the ADF leads to improved crop varieties, more value-added processing and cutting edge farming practices and knowledge, keeping our agriculture industry strong."

Funding for ADF projects is provided under Growing Forward 2, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative.