As COVID-19 pushes universities to change the way they teach, carry out research and conduct clinical work, the dean of veterinary medicine at the University of Calgary is confident that they can adapt. The academic system “from coast to coast is very intact,” Dr. Baljit Singh said. “We will continue to develop new technologies. We […] Read more

Universities can adapt to COVID-19, UCVM dean says
As administrators and faculty modify the system, dean calls for renewed public focus on food production and distribution

Digital supercluster backs precision fungicide development
Project aims at wheat leaf rust, reducing pesticide load
A West Coast ag tech company in the crop pest control business is setting its sights on wheat leaf rust, with support from one of Canada’s five research superclusters — but not the cluster you might expect. Out of the five federally-supported superclusters launched in early 2018, Protein Industries Canada has been most closely linked […] Read more

Syngenta to halt Canadian cereal development operations
Seed and ag chem giant Syngenta plans to wrap up a decade of cereal seed research and development work in Canada by the end of the year. The company announced Wednesday it will discontinue its Canadian cereal seed research and development program effective at the end of calendar 2019, affecting five Syngenta Canada staff positions. […] Read more

‘Bigger pie’ seen for hemp as industry evolves
CNS Canada — Canada’s hemp industry will have an eventful year in 2019 as the industry expands with more processing facilities and legislative changes. One such legislative change was the legalization of hemp in the 2018 U.S. Farm Bill. The bill passed this week in both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives and awaits […] Read more

Three new Alberta members on Beef Cattle Research Council
Reading Time: < 1 minute The Beef Cattle Research Council has a new chair, and three new members from Alberta. Saskatchewan producer Ryan Beierbach is the new chair of the organization while Albertans Garth Porteous, Graeme Finn, and Fred Lozeman are new members. Albertan Chris Israelson returns on the council while Bryan Thiessen, Melanie Wowk, and Darren Bevans have finished […] Read more
Beef research funding welcomed
Reading Time: < 1 minute The Beef Cattle Research Council is praising Ottawa’s decision to put $14 million in the newest edition of a beef science cluster. The federal funding, part of the Canadian Agricultural Partnership (the successor to Growing Forward) will be combined with $7 million from the national beef checkoff. The combined $21 million will be dispersed over […] Read more

Richardson to take food innovation downtown
Canadian grain and agrifood firm Richardson International plans to marshal its food research and product development crews in a new downtown Winnipeg space. The privately-held, Winnipeg-based company announced Wednesday it will put up over $30 million to build what it calls the Richardson Innovation Centre, a four-story, 62,000-square foot facility to go up a block […] Read more

Ontario, U of Guelph renew ag research partnership
Up to $713 million in agriculture research will be funded at the University of Guelph over the next 10 years through a renewal of the university’s agreement with the provincial ag ministry. The new agreement has been updated to manage digital data and is aimed to provide a base from which to leverage more research […] Read more

Prairie wheat commissions to collaborate on research funding
The Prairie provinces’ three wheat commissions are set to take a team approach to research funding through a new not-for-profit body. The Alberta Wheat Commission, Sask Wheat and the Manitoba Wheat and Barley Growers Association on Tuesday announced the formation of the Canadian Wheat Research Coalition (CWRC) to “facilitate long-term investments aimed at improving profitability […] Read more

Agrifood a pillar in federal budget’s ‘innovation’ plan
The federal government’s latest budget puts up Canada’s agrifood sector as one of six “key areas” to benefit from a new national “Innovation and Skills Plan.” Federal Finance Minister Bill Morneau on Wednesday unveiled a budget projecting $330.2 billion in expenses in 2017-18 against budgetary revenues of $304.7 billion, for a $28.5 billion deficit. The […] Read more