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

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

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

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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