by Kim Baniulis This article originally appeared on the Saskatchewan Research Council’s (SRC) blog From the Lab to the Loading Dock. Spores are smart. They can survive without nutrients, can reproduce asexually and have resistance to extreme temperatures and chemical disinfectants. T …

by Monica Gordon, Ag-West Bio Hundreds of agricultural science experts came together on June 14-16 at the Delta Bessborough in Saskatoon, to discuss a one of the most pressing issues facing the human race: how can we ensure that everyone on our planet has enough to eat?  The Emerging Tech …

A private member’s bill, C-291, An Act to amend the Food and Drugs Act (genetically modified food), was introduced on June 14, 2016 by NDP MP Pierre-Luc Dusseault. This is the latest in a string of anti-GMO bills that have been introduced over the years. This comes on the heals of the party&rs …

An international celebration created for the bioscience industry - a Canadian concept goes global: September 26 – October 2, 2016 by Nadine Lunt, BIOTECanada The world’s population is moving past seven billion and quickly towards the nine billion person mark. This rapid a …

A growing number of notable speakers will be heading to Fargo, North Dakota, Sept. 18-21, 2016, as plans take shape for the annual Agricultural Bioscience International Conference. The event, considered to be the premier global meeting promoting innovation in agricultural bioscience, is being he …

by Noelle Chorney Synthetic biology may sound futuristic, but it is a technology that has been used successfully for many important applications in the last decade—and we are only beginning to tap its potential. Phillip Stephan, Vice President of Strategic Initiatives at the Saskatchewan …

The Saskatchewan LEAN Improvements in Manufacturing (SLIM) program is open to agri-businesses involved in value added processing of Saskatchewan crops and livestock into food, feed, or bio-products. The goal is to help these businesses adopt best practices, new technologies and state-of-the-art …

by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Farmers in Western Canada know the benefits of well thought-out crop rotations. These can reduce the impact of harmful insects, reduce the amount of fertilizer needed, improve soil health and lengthen the period when specially bred crops remain resistant to dis …

by Elizabeth Shih Agriculture faces a daunting challenge: to sustainably feed 9.2 billion–the projected world population–by 2050. Of the anticipated increase, 86% will be in the developing world. Professor Sarah Gurr, Chair in Food Security and Head of Biosciences, University …

A new online resource aimed at connecting industry with university research expertise and resources has been launched by the Industry Liaison Office at the University of Saskatchewan (U of S). The Portal for Industry Engagement is designed as a gateway to all U of S research and development resou …

by Dr. Graham Scoles, PAg In the late 80s, when it became clear that crop varieties produced through genetic engineering techniques would be entering the market, various governments (including Canada) implemented a series of new regulatory steps in the variety registration process. This was becau …

The Emerging Technologies for Global Food Security conference, with the theme Mobilization to the Developing World, will be available for global audiences to watch LIVE via YouTube, anywhere in the world.  This international conference will bring 300 scientists, policy makers and industry re …

This year marks the 20th year of Canadian production of genetically modified crops. We recently completed a major review for the journal, Global Food Security, on what the effect of GM crops has been in Canada and globally. Our conclusion? There have been substantial benefits for consumers, farmers, …

by Nyasha Mudukuti My country’s government would rather see people starve than let them eat genetically modified food. That’s the only conclusion to draw from the announcement in February that Zimbabwe will reject any food aid that comes in the form of GMOs, despite the fact that w …

  The Census of Agriculture is on the horizon. In early May, producers will receive a letter with easy to follow instructions on how to complete the questionnaire.  Census of Agriculture data are the definitive source of community-level data. By drawing on these data, decision ma …

Existence of conflicts of interest is not the same as evidence of bias. Public and private sectors, together, have a role to play in communicating about science and technology to society We live in a complex technological world and few of us really understand it. Our lives move at such a pace t …

An exciting new conference is being launched in Saskatoon this year, hosted by the Global Institute for Food Security (GIFS). Emerging Technologies for Global Food Security: Mobilizing to the Developing World is set to run from June 14-16 at the Delta Bessborough Hotel. GIFS, Ag-West Bio and the ABI …

Farmers looking out for farmers  “It was a group of farmers who got together to suggest to the government of the day that those funds should be used to fund crop research,” says Lorence Peterson, past Western Grains Research Foundation (WGRF) executive director, of the beginnings …

Wilf Keller says the advancements in agricultural biotechnology have enabled Canadian farmers to produce the highest quality, world-renowned commodities. Agricultural biotechnology (sometimes known as agritech) is an area of science that employs living organisms (plants, animals and microorganis …

by Noelle Chorney, TallOrder Communications On February 26, Erin Armstrong, CEO of the newly formed Limagrain Cereals Research Canada (LCRC), spoke at Innovation Place about this venture, a partnership between Canterra Seeds and Limagrain that will strengthen Saskatoon’s position as a leadi …

by Monica Gordon, Ag-West Bio According to Farm and Food Care’s publication “The Real Dirt On Farming,” less than 2% of Canadians have a direct connection to a farm nowadays—a distinct change from a couple decades ago. While the number of people involved in farming is …

Sustainability is back on the agenda and replacing Survival as the ‘S’ word our industry has concentrated on for the past decade. Sustainability is a term that has become very familiar to us. Some of the original uses of the term were in the science of ecology and pertains to the interac …

University of Saskatchewan and University of Alberta researchers identify early signs of bone disease using synchrotron Arthritis is the leading cause of long-term disability in Canada, with osteoarthritis being the most common form of the disease. It is estimated that 14.2 per cent of Canad …

Order your Compensation Guide before March 31st - to get next year’s issue for Free!  That’s $515 in savings. Members get an extra 25% off. Ag-West Bio in partnership with BioTalent Canada is pleased to offer a Compensation Guide, providing a national review of 32 of th …

by Jackie Robin, Ag-West Bio Rex Newkirk seems to have found his ideal job as the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture Endowed Research Chair in Feed Processing Technology at the University of Saskatchewan (U of S). He gets to use the experience he has acquired over the years as an entrepreneur a …

Canadian pulses—dry beans, dry peas, lentils and chickpeas—are stepping into the spotlight in 2016 as the world celebrates International Year of Pulses (IYP). Chef Michael Smith is the first Canadian to pledge to eat more pulses in 2016. “Many Canadians are familiar with lentils …

by Ellen Grueter, SaskCanola Social license is a topic that is front and centre and the focus of much discussion in our industry these days. As an industry whose success has been built on innovation, the canola sector continues to advocate for evidence-based decision making. Canada has one o …

Ag-West Bio is proud to continue our official partnership with Agriculture More Than Ever. Three years ago we forged a relationship with Ag More Than Ever to help tell the real, positive story of our industry. And we’re thrilled to continue the journey together. Ag More Than Ever is a …

The dawning of a new age in the relationship between science and society? Science is a leading factor in economic growth. New research leads to new products or ways of doing things, which are demanded by us as consumers. Knowing that consumers continuously demand and expect new products to be int …

New Centre of Excellence will add value to Saskatchewan’s agriculture, food and health sectors Ag-West Bio welcomes the creation of Natural Products Canada Inc.(NPC), the nation’s newest Centre of Excellence for Commercialization and Research.   The Government of Canada’ …

This year, the National Research Council (NRC) marks its 100 year anniversary.  In my former role as an animal scientist at the University of Saskatchewan (U of S) I knew of the NRC building on the campus as the “Plant Biotech Institute” or “PBI.” I thought of it …

Acceptance of evolution goes hand in hand with respecting science and its processes. Yet evolution is largely ignored by our education system. Around 40 per cent of Saskatchewan students will graduate from high school without receiving any formal education in this fundamental concept. There is no …

by Stuart Smyth Your farm's data can help to inform governments Change frequently happens slowly, we may not notice that things are done differently today than previously until we actually stop and consider what has really changed. We have accepted many innovative changes, such as our use …

SASKATOON - A Saskatoon group has won the bid to host the 2019 International Wheat Congress, a first-of-its-kind event that will bring together more than 600 wheat scientists to discuss advances in wheat research and the future of wheat in helping avert a global food security crisis by 2050. The …

by Stuart Smyth Were it not for the snow on the ground, I would have thought it was April Fools, not Christmas when I read the Western Producer story, Anti-GMO group says yield gains non-existent (December 3, 2015). Lucy Sharratt, Taarini Chopra and the Canadian Biotechnology Action Net …

by Michael Robin, University of Saskatchewan Farmer-driven research and development has been the hallmark of pulse crop production in Saskatchewan since the first varieties were developed at the University of Saskatchewan’s Crop Development Centre 40 years ago. “In terms of researc …

by Stuart Smyth Recently I was in Amsterdam attending and speaking at a conference that is focused on better understanding the production, and international trade of, different types of crops. Not production and trade of different commodities, such as wheat, barley or flax, but the different kind …

  For over two decades, the Sanofi Biogenius Canada (SBC) program has nurtured young minds and fostered great talent for the future, challenging high school students to carry out groundbreaking research projects in the field of biotechnology. This is no ordinary science fair. SBC …

by Jackie Robin, Ag-West Bio In the basement of Winston's Pub in downtown Saskatoon, around 30 people are getting settled in, chatting and ordering beverages. Rough beams and exposed brick walls, together with a mishmash of heavy, wooden furniture creates an atmosphere both casual a …

The Global Institute for Food Security (GIFS) has recruited Tim Sharbel as its first research leader, an internationally renowned plant scientist from Germany whose research into a cost-effective way to produce seeds without pollination could improve agriculture and help combat global hunger. As …

Rob Saik, CEO of Agri-Trend, presented this public lecture at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon on November 4, 2015 during National Biotech Week. Introduction is by Janice Tranberg, Executive Director of SaskCanola.

High-throughput plant imaging Over the next 50 years, farmers will need to grow more food than has cumulatively been grown since mankind emerged. While the first Green Revolution radically boosted crop production, we’re in need of another big boost. A technology with significant prom …

                License to Farm is a short documentary exploring the role of science, sustainability and food safety in modern agriculture, encouraging farmers to stand up for their right to farm. Growing concern over consumer fear …

Saskatchewan takes National Biotech Week seriously. After all, biotechnology makes our lives better and easier, from health technologies, to hardier crops, eco-friendly products and cleaning up the environment. So we host events with names like the Walking Dead Dance, the Amazing Biotech Race and …

by Kaitlin Kelly, University of Saskatchewan It is assumed by governments in many developed countries that consumers support the replacement of petroleum-based products with biomass-based products, which leads to continued investment of public funds into the development and production of biopro …

This summer, the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) and the Saskatchewan Research Council (SRC) announced a partnership to provide the tools and expertise Canadian firms need to translate research and development from the lab to the marketplace. The two organizations will leverage existing …

by Michael Robin, University of Saskatchewan Testing of a protein biomarker that could contribute to a fast, effective and portable test for traumatic brain injuries, commonly known as concussions, is set to begin thanks to funding from the Centre for Drug Research and Development (CDRD) Sask …

by Victoria Martinez, Canadian Light Source Chronic Wasting Disease threatens populations of mule deer, white tail deer and elk throughout the prairies, and scientists are working hard towards finding a solution.  Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in deer and elk, like Bovine Spongifor …

by David Roberts, Smart Earth Seeds, Linnaeus Plant Sciences It seems ironic but a solution to the overfishing crisis in the worlds' oceans can be directly tied to the productivity and ingenuity of dryland farmers in Western Canada. A new research study confirms that meal and oil derived …

by Cami Ryan Summary: • Research objectives need to be linked to markets and society’s needs; that’s innovation • Federal funding agencies (like Genome Canada), and their partners, adhere to strict standards in scientific research, ethics, transparency in engaging k …

The University of Saskatchewan (U of S) has been awarded $37.2 million over seven years by the Canada First Research Excellence Fund for leading-edge research and technology that will transform crop breeding and provide innovative solutions to national and global food security. The U of S is one …

Projects offer food security solutions through lentil and wheat improvement and infectious disease prevention. Results of the Genome Canada Large-Scale Applied Research Project Competition Genomics and Feeding the Future, in funding partnership with the Western Grains Research Foundation (WGRF), …

by Noelle Chorney For the first time ever, researchers have identified a weed—Elusine indica—that is resistant to all major non-selective herbicide groups: glufosinate, glyphosate and paraquat. While the situation is not as dire in Canada yet, it is crucial that we take steps to …

Late blight, caused by the fungal pathogen Phytophthora infestans, is a serious disease that affects potato, tomato and other related crops worldwide. With the capability to vigorously spread and destroy crops, it is a significant threat to producers' livelihoods. These challenges have led Agric …

by Noelle Chorney In many parts of the world, the rate of increase on grain yields is slowing. Researchers in places like Australia are racing the clock to find solutions before there is an actual drop in yield. Jose Jimenez-Berni, Research Scientist at the Agriculture Flagship at CSIRO, Austr …

Saskatchewan’s vibrant canola fields are in full bloom and so is the industry’s calendar this summer season, including the 14th International Rapeseed Congress (IRC) held in Saskatoon from July 5 to 9. Co-hosted by Ag-West Bio and the Canola Council of Canada, it is the most comprehensiv …

Picture this A Saskatchewan farmer uses microbial inoculants and biostimulants (microorganisms that promote plant growth and health) instead of the agrochemicals that are traditionally used on her crops to give them a strong start and protect them through to harvest. Her farm’s healthy and …

Last weekend marked the third annual “March Against Monsanto” in which protestors took up placards in various cities around the world to voice their fears about genetic modification (GM) of crops. As earnest as these people are, their fears are baseless; after two decades of harvestin …

The desire to know more about how genomes work has attracted thousands of researchers as well as billions of investment dollars. Advances in computers, biology and information sharing have revolutionized how plant breeding is now done. As a point of reference, consider the following. > The …

by Graham Scoles Despite the fact that our agriculture systems produce more food than ever, modern agricultural systems seem to be coming under increasing attack, particularly in Europe and North America. I would contend that while our present agricultural systems have their faults, no alternate …

Synchrotron research could give rise to better yields and varieties by Mark Ferguson, CLS A nasty disease that can wreak havoc on wheat crops has been identified by scientists, allowing plant breeders to develop better varieties with higher yields for farmers.  Known as Fusarium head b …

Sweet potatoes from all over the world naturally contain genes from Agrobacterium, according to researchers from the University of Ghent and the International Potato Institute (CIP) in their study published at Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America (PNAS). …

Agricultural policy is a very dynamic and interesting area of the industry. It is broad-based and the issue of the day can change as quickly and frequently as the weather. Policy development is about paying close attention to what is happening within and outside government and how various events …

The third edition of the Saskatchewan's Bioscience Resource Guide (Ag-West Bio's 'Little Green Book) is now available, both in hard copy and online. This publication, which features 94 companies and organizations active in Saskatchewan, is produced as a tool to promot …

by Kris Foster, University of Saskatchewan Tiny helicopters flying over crop fields may become a common sight thanks to a research partnership between the University of Saskatchewan (U of S) and a Saskatoon-based company. Drones outfitted with a specialized camera will enable agriculture produ …

Phosphorus is a chemical element essential for life. Without adequate phosphorus, plant growth and crop yield are reduced. As plants grow, they remove phosphorus from the soil, which is subsequently removed from fields when crops are harvested. As a result, fertilizers containing phosphorus compound …

Taking advantage of proximity to the agricultural sector by Noelle Chorney Robert Lamb claims he’s like a moth, drawn to the brightest lights in the world. He has spent his career in universities and using synchrotrons. Most recently he moved last September from Australia where he had be …

by Raymond Deschamps, Stratex  Does your team implement strategies effectively?  Are your projects as successful as you’d like? If not, you’re not alone … For many organizations, a strategy sets the direction and scope over the long term, and includes goals and o …

by Michael Robin, University of Saskatchewan Whether it’s hormones in beef and preservatives in bacon, or pesticides and genetically modified foods, Stuart Smyth at the University of Saskatchewan wants to be part of the conversation. “If someone’s looking for information …

Successful technologies, processes, innovations and business all have one thing in common – an in-depth understanding of their consumers, competitors and industry’s environment. This understanding is a result of the analysis of comprehensive market research. Sometimes we may think our …

by Brad Bly, Ag-West Bio The first quarter or 2015 saw a number of long-standing dominoes fall for Okanagan Specialty Fruits (OSF), a Canadian biotechnology company based in Summerland, BC. The company’s flagship project, nonbrowning Arctic® apples, received commercial approval in both …

by Noelle Chorney Saskatchewan grows 96% of Canada’s lentils, 90% of its chickpeas, and 70% of its peas, and is projected to produce three million metric tons of lentils in 2015. But while we have tapped many of the traditional export pulse markets, there is great potential to expand in …

by Jackie Robin, AWB In a California lab in the 1980s, U.S. researcher Richard Jorgensen tried to develop an intense-purple petunia by adding an extra gene. He got a white flower instead. It took more than a decade for scientists to fully understand what had happened, but now they know: Jorgen …

As readers of this blog may recall, the federal government tabled Bill C-18, the Agricultural Growth Act, in late 2013. The Bill was to amend some eight agricultural statutes, including the Plant Breeders’ Rights Act. The government’s intent has been to create stronger intellectual pr …

  by Terry Daynard Every Canadian likely knows that honey bee numbers are plunging, we’re likely to starve without bees to pollinate crops, and there’s such an easy solution: Ban the usage of those insecticides called neonicotinoids (neonics). The campaign for a ban has bee …

by Stuart Smyth My kids love apples. I can’t even fathom how many times I’ve wished I could have included sliced apple into their school lunches when they were in elementary school. The inability to include apple slices in children’s school lunches is something that has not only …

by AWB US “Right to Know” (US-RTK) is a lobby group opposed to genetic modification (GM), and with the mandate to implement mandatory labelling of foods produced using GM technology. The organization has requested public records (such as emails) going back to 2012, from public univers …

Sustainability, agriculture, innovation and food are the themes set for a new blog launched out of the University of Saskatchewan. The blog, SAIFood, is the brainchild of Stuart Smyth, an agricultural economist who holds the Industry Funded Research Chair in Agri-Food Innovation. In his introdu …

14th International Rapeseed Congress (IRC 2015) July 5-9, 2015 Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada Once every four years, industry and research leaders gather from around the globe to discuss advances and challenges around rapeseed and canola. This summer, the 14th International Rapeseed Congress …

by Michael Robin, U of S On Campus News Older adults looking for an edge with their new year’s exercise program might consider some judicious use of dietary supplements such as whey protein and bovine (cow) colostrum to help build strength, guard bone and even keep their brains humming alon …

How do we assure consumers that the food grown in our province is healthy, safe and responsibly produced? How can farmers and ranchers let people know about the care and attention they give their land and animals? What strategies can we employ to get our message out effectively? These are just so …

John Gormley, host of NewsTalk 650 John Gormley Live, took the opportunity to interview Dr. Nina Fedoroff when she was in Saskatoon last fall to speak at the Agricultural Bioscience International Conference (ABIC 2014). Fedoroff pioneered in DNA sequencing, determining the nucleotide sequence of the …

Camelina meal has been approved for the first time in Canada for use in broiler chicken feed.  Camelina is a drought tolerant oilseed crop that can be grown with low inputs on marginal land while providing valuable crop rotation benefits. Rich in protein and Omega-3 fatty acids, the incl …

Concierge Service provides single point of access to innovation support programs and services Having difficulty finding funding and other resources needed to grow your business? Wish you could just pick up the phone and be pointed in the right direction? Many small business owners have found themse …

...........Launched in 2001, the Gold Leaf awards are given annually to recognize both companies and individuals who have made significant contributions to the biotech industry in Canada. The Awards’ importance to the recipients and the industry more broadly has grown significantly over the ye …

  by Noelle Chorney Three months in to his new role as Executive Director and CEO of the Global Institute for Food Security (GIFS), Maurice Moloney is focused on its strategy and long term goals.  With over 25 years of plant research innovation, and leadership roles that have incl …

Attracting Australian and international delegates from a broad range of industries and backgrounds, ABIC 2015 will be a valuable opportunity to promote your brand, products and services to the global agricultural biotechnology community. ABIC 2015 will be held in Melbourne, Australia from Septemb …

STEMfest is a festival of world-class conferences, meetings and events related to science, technology, engineering and mathematics, and it is coming to Saskatoon!   SEPTEMBER 27 — OCTOBER 3, 2015 Prairieland Park Trade and Convention Centre, Saskatoon, SK • 12 interna …

Project provides unique evolutionary insights and new tools for plant breeders Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) researcher from Saskatoon Isobel Parkin is part of an international team that has deciphered the complex genome of Brassica napus, extensively cultivated as ‘canola’ …

Robert Saik, CEO of The Agri-Trend Group of Companies, talks about the benefits and importance of agricultural science, including genetic modification. Know GMO: An uplifting discussion about food Saik is spear-heading the production of a movie called “Know GMO: An uplifting discussi …

  Ag-West Bio works to provide the broadest level of access to valuable information tools for Saskatchewan's bioscience community. To meet this goal, Ag-West Bio is coordinating a consortium to provide desktop access to Elsevier B.V.’s Corporate Edition of ScienceDirect …

University of Saskatchewan (U of S) microbiologists Vladimir Vujanovic and Jim Germida have been awarded $1.9 million through Genome Canada’s Genomic Applications Partnership Program to work with Cambridge, MA based plant microbiome company, Symbiota™, on a $16-million research …

Dr. Nina Fedoroff (Penn State University) discusses her ABIC 2014 presentation on society and biotechnology with Bruce Sargent of Farmboy Productions.

by Robert Wager A Tuesday morning in Nanaimo and the fog is thick. I am headed to Saskatoon to speak at the Saskatchewan Young Ag-Entrepreneurs/ Canadian Association of Farm Advisors conference. The heavy fog leads to a series of flight delays, turning what should be a seven hour trip into a 25 h …

This is our fourth post on Bill C-18 and its and its proposed amendments to the Plant Breeders’ Rights Act (PBRA) In our first post, we set out the context of development of seed varieties in Canada. In our second post, we examined the current PBRA and the rights conferred on a breeder b …

September 26 to October 3 was proclaimed Biotech Week in Saskatchewan by the Ministry of Agriculture as well as the City of Saskatoon and the City of Regina. A committee, chaired by Ag-West Bio, was assembled to develop the events for this year. A couple events have become standards: Biotech & …

  Thank you to Green State TV for sharing this video. In the seventh installment of this ten-part series, independent scientist Dr. Kevin M. Folta (University of Florida) explains where to find trustworthy and scientific online sources discussing GMO technology.    …