Saskatchewan Crop Research Projects Receive Funding

Posted May 15, 1998


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - May 15, 1998
98-05-09-AG
Funding for Saskatchewan Crop
Research Projects

More than $1 million has been approved to date this
year for research projects by the Crop Development
Centre (CDC) and the Department of Plant Sciences at the
University of Saskatchewan.

The details of 13 unique projects supported by the
funding were discussed at a news conference in
Saskatoon today by Dr. Gordon Rowland, CDC director; Dr.
Malcolm Devine, head Department of Plant Sciences and
Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food Minister Eric Upshall.

Upshall said the funding approval demonstrates the
provincial government?s commitment to ongoing
scientific research in the quest for solutions to weed,
insect and other problems as well as contributing to the
increased diversification of Saskatchewan?s agriculture
and food sector.

The funds are being provided through the Agriculture
Development Fund (ADF) administered by Saskatchewan
Agriculture and Food to help finance project-oriented
research in crops, horticulture, soils, livestock and other
value-added opportunities.

"We?ve invested about $19 million in crops research at
the University of Saskatchewan in the last five years,"
Upshall said. "CDC?s portion is $13 million and the
Department of Plant Sciences received almost $6 million.
This research funding is helping farmers to diversify,
reduce costs, control crop pests and to remain
competitive in world markets. SAF?s continued support
of these objectives is illustrated by an additional $1.9
million in this year?s budget for research and adoption of
technology, an increase of 15 per cent."

"The superb support the Crop Development Centre has
received over the years from Saskatchewan Agriculture
and Food has allowed the CDC to become the leader in
crop diversification in Canada. This partnership in
agriculture research is the envy of other provinces and
ensures Saskatchewan?s continued expansion in crop
production and processing," Rowland said.

The CDC and the Department of Plant Sciences projects
involved in the new funding cover a broad spectrum.
They include:
- development of hulless barley
- development of disease resistant strains of wheat
and the use of DNA testing to screen varieties for
desired characteristics
- the study of newly developed potato varieties with
major potential in U.S. markets to measure adaptability
to prairie conditions
- evaluation of alternative wheats for suitability in
noodle and specialty breads production
- methods of altering the structure of raspberry canes
to induce fruit growth on one side of the cane for easier
picking.

Upshall said successful varieties developed by the CDC,
such as Laird lentil and Harrington barley, have provided
farmers and processors with an income alternative
worth hundreds of millions of dollars. "Introduction of
new crops like hulless barley will set the standard for
livestock feed in the future."

"There are numerous research activities that illustrate
innovative developments that are ?made in
Saskatchewan? to further improve crop varieties and the
management practices that make our agriculture sector
one of the best in the world," Upshall said.

"Over the years, we have developed a strong team of
scientists from different disciplines ? plant breeding,
genetics, crop quality, molecular biology and
horticulture ? who work together to improve the range
of crops available to Saskatchewan farmers," Devine
said.

For more information, contact:

Dr. Gordon Rowland Dr. Malcolm Devine
Crop Development Centre Dept. of Plant Sciences
University of Sask. University of Sask.
Saskatoon Saskatoon
Phone: (306) 966-4977 Phone: (306) 966-4944


Martin Wrubleski
Agriculture Research Branch
Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
Regina
Phone: (306) 787-5960