NewsLine by Cole's Ag on September 17, 2024, 9:08am

Funding Approved for the Global Agriculture Technology Exchange (Gate) 

Saskatoon, SK (Sept. 17, 2024) – The Saskatchewan Wheat Development Commission (Sask Wheat) has approved funding for the Global Agriculture Technology Exchange (Gate) initiative of $6,243,074. Sask Wheat is joined by Alberta Grains ($4,319,798) and Manitoba Crop Alliance ($2,655,587). 

“Gate puts in place infrastructure for Saskatchewan wheat farmers to continue their investment in market support, which our international customers value when they purchase Canadian wheat, as well as market development so that we can continue to meet global demand for high quality Canadian grains”, says Gate Capital Campaign Cabinet Honourary Member and Sask Wheat Director, Rob Stone. 

This investment is based on the business plan provided by Cereals Canada, which underscores the necessity of a new facility to help the cereals industry grow and thrive. The funding is conditional upon securing the required financial support from government entities and other funding partners. Additionally, Sask Wheat’s representatives on the Cereals Canada Board will oversee that the needs of Cereals Canada and the operational costs are managed in accordance with the directions of the Cereals Canada Board. 

“Canada’s cereals sector leads the country’s ag exports to over 80 international destinations, valued at over $10 billion. Having unimpeded access to these international destinations is extremely important to Saskatchewan farmers, and a facility such as Gate will continue to provide a hub for market access initiatives that will benefit all wheat producers,” says Stone. 

Sask Wheat is supportive of the work Cereals Canada does and sees significant value in the market development and market access initiatives that Cereals Canada undertakes. This initiative is crucial to ensure we can provide a high standard of market support services in relation to our export competitors. A new facility is needed to continue to meet global demand for high quality Canadian grains and to build on the momentum of the training, testing and innovation Cereals Canada has established over the past 50 years. Sask Wheat looks forward to working with Cereals Canada and other provincial commission and industry partners to ensure that Cereals Canada has the capacity and technology needed to continue this crucial work for the industry.

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Sask Wheat is a producer-led organization representing approximately 24,000 wheat and winter cereals producers in the province. Sask Wheat provides leadership in identifying and supporting research, market development and advocacy that contributes to profitable and sustainable wheat and winter cereal production for Saskatchewan farmers.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Andrea Lauder
Communications Manager
306-653-7967
andrea.lauder@saskwheat.ca 

 

NewsLine by Cole's Ag on May 15, 2024, 10:01am

New Fusarium head blight mapping tool now available to farmers across the Prairies

May 15, 2024 – New Prairie-wide Fusarium head blight (FHB) risk maps are now available to producers in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta. The tool provides assessment of Fusarium head blight index (FHBi), Fusarium-damaged kernels (FDK), and Deoxynivalenol (DON) risk levels in spring wheat, winter wheat, barley and durum based on weather conditions.

These risk maps were created as part of a three-year research project led by the University of Manitoba’s Dr. Paul Bullock, with collaborators from Alberta Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation, Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture, Manitoba Agriculture, Manitoba Crop Alliance (MCA), Saskatchewan Wheat Development Commission (Sask Wheat), Saskatchewan Barley Development Commission (SaskBarley) and Alberta Grains.

“The Faculty is very pleased to release this important risk management tool for the agriculture industry,” says Dr. Martin Scanlon, dean of the faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences at the University of Manitoba.

“The project is a great example of multi-institutional collaboration, where the combined skills and talents of both federal and provincial agricultural personnel, plus university collaborators, has facilitated research outcomes that could not have been achieved otherwise.”

The weather-based risk is calculated using real-time weather data from more than 500 stations operated by Environment and Climate Change Canada, the Manitoba AgWeather Program, Saskatchewan Public Safety, Alberta Climate Information System and Metos Canada. The risk algorithms are “homegrown” based on research data collected from 600 plot sites across 15 locations in Western Canada each year from 2019 through 2021 and tested in more than 300 producer fields on the Prairies during the same period. Previous FHB risk maps from each provincial agriculture ministry utilized imported FHB risk algorithms with limited accuracy testing and could not assess risk in barley or durum, nor for either FDK or DON. The risk mapping tool is publicly available and accessible using a smartphone, tablet or desktop computer.

The risk for disease severity varies considerably by location and year because of variable weather during the lead-up period prior to flowering. The tool has both financial and environmental benefits, since the need to apply fungicide for disease control at a given location also varies from one extreme to the other.

“We are proud to help provide Manitoba wheat and barley farmers with a powerful tool to combat FHB in their fields,” says MCA CEO Pam de Rocquigny. “These new risk maps are an excellent example of MCA’s vision in action – an investment that will make our farmer members more productive and sustainable.”

The project was funded through the Integrated Crop Agronomy Cluster with funding from the Canadian Agriculture Partnership, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Western Grains Research Foundation, MCA, Sask Wheat, Alberta Grains, Brewing and Malting Barley Research Institute and Prairie Oat Growers Association. The FHB risk mapping tool is available at prairiefhb.ca.

For more information on using and interpreting the maps check out our new joint extension document, here.

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For more information, please contact:

Cole Christensen
Communications Manager
Manitoba Crop Alliance
403-589-3529
cole@mbcropalliance.ca

Dr. Paul Bullock
Senior Scholar, Department of Soil Science
University of Manitoba
Paul.Bullock@umanitoba.ca

About Manitoba Crop Alliance:
Manitoba Crop Alliance is a non-profit organization established Aug. 1, 2020, representing more than 7,700 farmer members. Manitoba Crop Alliance puts their farmer members first and strives to continuously improve the competitiveness and profitability of all crops represented by the organization by focusing on four main areas: research, agronomy, market access and development, and communications. It is through investment in these key areas that Manitoba Crop Alliance can ensure wheat, barley, corn, sunflower and flax are sustainable production choices for Manitoba farmers. For more information, visit mbcropalliance.ca.

NewsLine by Cole's Ag on February 20, 2024, 10:20am

Media Advisory – Register today for the 2024 Barley Symposium

Feb. 20, 2024 – If you are a barley enthusiast or Canadian agriculture aficionado, the 2024 Barley Symposium is for you!

Brought to you by the Brewing and Malting Barley Research Institute, Canadian Grain Commission, Canadian Barley Research Coalition (CBRC) and the Canadian Malting Barley Technical Centre, the event will take place at the Delta Bessborough in beautiful Saskatoon, SK. This year’s theme is “From the Ground Up” and attendees will be treated to exclusive presentations on the latest and greatest research advancements along the whole value chain in one of Canada’s most profitable crops.

“As a coalition, we are proud to showcase researchers who are on the leading edge of barley innovation,” said CBRC chair Cody Glenn from his farm near Climax, SK. “This year’s symposium will feature a rare mix of knowledge transfer directly from researchers and networking opportunities that are not to be missed.”

The symposium will run from Feb. 25-27, 2024, and include relevant topics of discussion such as “Emerging Biotic Threats,” “Advances in established biotic threat management,” “Progress in variety development and agronomy,” and “New technology to advance variety development and agronomy” – to name a few. There will also be a poster session with projects from some of Canada’s most dedicated barley researchers, accompanied by opportunities to mix and mingle with a “Who’s Who” of Canadian agriculture. 

More information regarding registration and accommodation is available at barleyresearch.ca.

Early birds can also sign up for a free tour of the Canadian Light Source, one of the largest science projects in Canada’s history. Their facility speeds up electrons to produce intensely bright synchrotron light that allows scientists to study materials at a molecular level.

CBRC is a national not-for-profit organization with a focus on improving profitability and competitiveness for western Canadian barley through long-term research investments.

For more information:

Shelley Lagassé
Canadian Barley Research Coalition
P: 204.688.8399
E: slagasse@barleyresearch.ca

NewsLine by Cole's Ag on January 11, 2024, 10:29am

SaskBarley Board Elects New Chair


January 11, 2024 (Saskatoon, SK) – The Saskatchewan Barley Development Commission (SaskBarley) Board announced today that they have elected a new Chair to replace Keith Rueve, whose time as a director was ending after two consecutive terms.  

Cody Glenn was elected as Chair, and Matt Enns as Vice-Chair.

“I would like to thank Keith for his leadership and commitment to Saskatchewan’s barley producers,” says Glenn, a certified seed grower and owner of Southline Ag Services in Climax, SK. “I look forward to working with our strong team at the board and staff level as we continue to make investments that grow Saskatchewan’s barley industry.” 

Enns was re-elected as a director in the recent 2023 Board elections. He operates a multi-generational grain farm near Rosthern, SK, and is also a co-founder of Maker’s Crafted Malts.

“As I continue my time with SaskBarley, I am excited for all of the initiatives and critical investments in research that we have on the go,” Enns adds. “The decisions we make as a Board will always be in support of barley producers and with an eye to an even brighter future.” 

Glenn and Enns will assume their roles immediately for a one-year term. Newly elected directors Chad Ferguson (Naicam, SK) and Gordon Moellenbeck (Englefeld, SK) join Zenneth Faye (Foam Lake) and Maurice Berry (Carievale) to complete the board of six.  

For more information on SaskBarley and its investments in research, market development and advocacy initiatives, or to sign up for the organization’s newsletter, visit www.saskbarley.com.

For more information:

Cole Christensen
Communications Manager
P: 306-250-1099
E: cole@saskbarley.com

NewsLine by Cole's Ag on January 10, 2024, 1:35pm

SaskCanola & SaskFlax announce successful amalgamation vote


Jan. 10, 2024 – SaskCanola and SaskFlax are pleased to announce the successful approval of their amalgamation. This decision comes after resolutions were passed at both organizations’ Annual General Meetings in January 2023, calling for the two organizations to explore options for potential amalgamation over the past year.

Yesterday, SaskCanola and SaskFlax jointly held their Annual General Meetings to share the outcomes of feedback gathered through an online consultation survey from Saskatchewan’s canola and flax growers. The responses were overwhelmingly supportive of amalgamation.

Formal voting on the proposed amalgamation took place during the meetings and was met with widespread approval, signaling a historic moment for the canola and flax industries in Saskatchewan.

“The collaborative efforts are expected to streamline operations, enhance research initiatives, and provide a more cohesive voice for oilseed growers in the province,” said Tracy Broughton, Executive Director, “Both Commissions will now work with Agri-Food Council to amend regulations as the amalgamation will officially commence at the start of the next crop year on August 1, 2024.”

The SaskCanola Board voted to maintain current leadership with Keith Fournier as Chair and Dean Roberts as Vice-Chair. The SaskFlax Board also voted to maintain current leadership with Greg Sundquist as Chair and Patricia Lung as Vice-Chair. Both boards will continue to provide their respective leadership until the final audits are complete, at which point the single entity will emerge with one board and one staff.

SaskCanola is a producer-led organization, established in 1991 and supported by 17,000 levy-paying Saskatchewan canola producers. SaskCanola’s mandate is to provide value to canola producers through research, advocacy, and market development.

SaskFlax is a producer-led organization, established in 1996 and supported by 3,000 levy-paying Saskatchewan flax producers. SaskFlax’s mandate is to lead, promote, and enhance the production, value-added processing, and utilization of Saskatchewan flax.

For more information, contact:
Ellen Grueter, Communications Manager
egrueter@saskcanola.com
(306) 975-0262

NewsLine by Cole's Ag on October 30, 2023, 11:30am

SaskCanola launches texting service


Re-released: October 30, 2023 – SaskCanola is excited to announce the launch of its new communications platform – an interactive texting service!

The addition of this platform aims to enhance efforts to communicate more directly with our membership about the ongoing, multi-pronged ways our Commission is providing value to farmers by sharing real-time, customized updates. 

Farmers who subscribe can expect to receive: 

  • a weekly oilseeds market outlook report (SaskCanola invests in a market analyst that provides a weekly update on domestic and global influences on canola market prices)
  • Canola Watch, a weekly (during the growing season) canola production newsletter
  • plus event notices and urgent news/alerts

Farmers will also be able to engage directly with the SaskCanola team by texting our dedicated number to initiate a two-way conversation.

“Our intention with launching this new texting service is to provide farmers with timely information that empowers them to make informed decisions to optimize their farm businesses,” shares Tracy Broughton, SaskCanola’s Executive Director.

To subscribe, text keyword SASKCANOLA to 1-877-241-7044.

By texting SaskCanola, you agree to receive promotional messages from SaskCanola sent via an autodialer. This subscription is not a condition of any service. Estimated 10 messages/month. Message & data rates may apply. Reply STOP to unsubscribe or HELP for help. Terms and Privacy Policy can be found at saskcanola.com/privacy-policy

For more information, contact:
Ellen Grueter, Communications Manager
egrueter@saskcanola.com
(306) 975-0262
This release was originally issued on Oct. 10, 2023.

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