A massive $7-million dollar investment by the Saskatchewan Agriculture Research Development Fund means 46 crop related research projects are going forward.

The projects will concentrate in the following areas:

  • The performance of direct-cut harvest systems in canola;
  • Improving nitrogen fixation of peas;
  • Improving disease resistance in wheat;
  • How residue from soybeans contributes to nutrition and yield in cereal crops the following year;
  • Identifying new mustard varieties with improved yields;
  • Honey bee health and the management of Varroa mites;
  • The use of lentil bran as a food ingredient; and
  • Weed control practices.

A detailed list of the projects can be found at www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/ADF

In a statement, Member of Parliament for Saskatoon-Rosetown-Biggar Kelly Block, who was at the announcement on Tuesday on behalf of Federal Agricultural Minister Gerry Ritz, said these projects will help Saskatchewan farmers through improved yields and disease control.  “These projects will enable producers to be more productive, competitive, and profitable,” said Block.

Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister Lyle Stewart says this year’s record harvest demonstrates the benefit of investments and research.

The $7-million is a small piece of the record $27.7 million agriculture budget ADF has this year.

The ADF is partnering with the Western Grains Research Foundation, Saskatchewan Pulse Growers and Saskatchewan Canola Development Commission on these projects.

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