Peace Region, Alberta (Rural Roots Canada) – When you hear the word lupin, you might think of those purple-pink flowers that dot landscapes and ditches across Canada. However, in this instance, lupin refers to a pulse crop that’s becoming a crop to watch in Canadian agriculture.
Researchers at Sarda Ag Research in the Peace Region of Alberta are exploring the potential of lupin, which is high in protein, rich in nutrients, and could have considerable potential for farmers.
“Lupin is similar to how we got into industrial hemp,” says Vance Yaremko, Executive Director for Sarda Ag Research. “We’re always looking for alternatives here in the Peace Region, because we’re mainly known for canola and wheat.”
While the pulse market has been growing in that part of the province, Yaremko says there have been some challenges. “We’ve hit a snag with Aphanomyces being quite detrimental to the product. Lupin has a resistance to this, so we feel there is potential for it to be somewhat of a replacement.”
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According to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, lupin, particularly white lupin, has a variety of uses. White lupin is a high-yield and economically valuable crop that can serve as feed for livestock and is fit for human consumption. White lupin can also help reduce fertilizer needs by fixing nitrogen into the soil, all while capturing carbon from the air. It’s most commonly grown in Europe, but lupin could find a home on this side of the pond.
“The market is not developed here in Canada,” explains Yaremko. “It’s very small right now, but we’re seeing some positive results.”
Drawing on prior experience, Yaremko compares lupin to earlier efforts with other pulse crops. “I was here when peas were in a stage of growing, as well. We’re finding some of the same difficulties. So, learning is obviously very important to see where this is going.”
Early signs have been encouraging. “There’s potential here,” Yaremko says. “Again, we’ve seen some successes, even though the inoculant is struggling to perform.”
Agriculture and agri-food researchers in several Canadian provinces are also researching lupin as a potential crop to help farmers diversify their offerings.
