This article originally appeared on the SAIFood Blog Woodward or Bernstein, he is not! Sean Previl, a journalist with the Halifax Chronicle Herald, has shown that he is not one to let facts or the truth stand in the way of a great story. Last week, the Halifax Chronicle Herald published a story b …

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 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 …

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 …

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 …

Dr. Keith Downey was a key member of a team of Canadian scientists who developed the first varieties of canola – now the source of one of the healthiest edible oils available and a $19 billion dollar industry in Canada. Known as one of the “Fathers of Canola”, his long list of awar …

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 …

The traditional method of promoting new technologies to consumers is to provide scientific and technical information about the origin and benefits of the technology. After all, if consumers don’t understand the benefits, they may feel uncertain and anxious about a product. So it should make se …

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 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 …

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 …

by Shayla Hertz I have been asked to share my perspective, as a current agriculture student, on environmentalism and the importance of science in agriculture. I grew up on a grain farm outside of Edenwold, Saskatchewan and was raised in a community thriving with farmers. When I graduated from hig …

Are your customers concerned about GMOs? What about getting a 'wheat belly?' Do they go out of their way to buy organic? In order for food ingredients or products company to make sound business choices it is helpful to understand how consumers are making their purchasing decisions.  …

Thank you to Green State TV for sharing this video. In the tenth installment of this ten-part series, independent scientist Dr. Kevin M. Folta (University of Florida) takes on the most common GMO myth of all: that GMO food is dangerous. Watch Part 1 Watch Part 2 Watch Part 3 Wa …

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 …

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). …

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 …

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 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 …

In this age of the World Wide Web we can travel (virtually at least) to any place on earth, learn about people, animals, foods and technologies; imagination is the only limit. Information is available at the push of a button. The wonderful thing is anyone can post anything and add their voice to …

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 …

A recent press release by the University of Guelph has received surprisingly widespread attention. University of Guelph researchers are said to have identified a gene that codes for a protein that brings about cleistogamy “cloistered gametes;" essentially pollination before flowering. Act …

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 …

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 …

  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 …

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 …

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 …

I sell my flax product at various trade shows and I am amazed at how the average consumer just goes on hearsay about genetically modified (GM) food, without researching it. From hormones in beef to organic produce to ‘gluten is killing our society,’ and even how the poor farmer is &lsquo …

  Come to Saskatchewan...where the sky is blue and the land is gold. The 14th International Rapeseed Congress (IRC 2015) is coming to Canola Country - Saskatoon, Saskatchewan! The heart of agricultural biotechnology in Canada and the birthplace of canola, Saskatchewan is home to one of …

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 & …

The following is a letter addressed to the editor of The Western Producer, co-authored by Reno Pontarollo, President and CEO of Genome Prairie and Wilf Keller, President and CEO of Ag-West Bio Inc. It has come to our attention that The Western Producer is a Platinum Sponsor of the …

John Gormley Live with Ingo Potrykus John Gormley hosts John Gormley Live on News Talk Radio 650 CKOM in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Gormley interviewed Dr. Ingo Potrykus, creator of Golden Rice, when Potrykus was in Saskatoon to speak at the Agricultural Bioscience International Conference (ABIC 20 …

Get the insights on science communication in agriculture. Watch Genome Prairie's five-part interview series featuring Kevin Folta, Cami Ryan and Michele Payn-Knopper. This expert panel answers questions on the opportunities and challenges facing communicators in ag biotech while providing val …

In early October, some of the world’s brightest minds came together at TCU Place in Saskatoon to talk science at the Agricultural Bioscience International Conference (ABIC 2014). Timing was perfect, as October is Agriculture Month in Saskatchewan! Topics varied widely, from the link between …

From mosquitoes in the backyard to diamondback moths in canola fields, insect pests are more than an annoyance. They spread disease, ruin crops and cost billions of dollars in losses, from limits in productivity due to health issues to financial losses from control inputs and damage to fields. Oxite …

by Bill Crabtree Australian farmers are amazed at the rapid and complete (98%) adoption of GM canola across the Prairies and how it is grown with no fuss and with great results. This is not the case in Australia, where the technology has only recently been legalized and the delay has come at grea …

by Michael Robin, U of S Communications Advances in science depend not only on discovery but on public policy that allows them to be developed into products people can use, explains Meritt Kocdag, a research assistant with the Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy (JSGSPP). Kocdag r …

Genome Prairie: Request for Applications – Genomics and Feeding the Future Genome Canada, in partnership with the Western Grains Research Foundation, has launched a Request for Applications for the 2014 Large-Scale Applied Research Project Competition: Genomics and Feeding the Future. …

Peter Phillips, Professor and Graduate Chair at the University of Saskatchewan Johnson-Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy, speaks about the unique bioscience cluster in Saskatoon. ABIC 2014: Global Leadership in a Changing World October 5-8, 2014  

David Gerecke (Saskatoon) and Aimee Schalles (Vancouver) In our last post, we outlined the rights granted to plant breeders under the current Plant Breeders’ Rights Act (PBRA). In this blog post, we propose to outline how Bill C-18, if it became law, would change the sco …

  Thank you to Green State TV for sharing this video. In the ninth installment of this ten-part series, independent scientist Dr. Kevin M. Folta (University of Florida) argues that GMO technology can be a boon for environmentalism. Watch Part 1 Watch Part 2 Watch Part …

  Thank you to Green State TV for sharing this video. In the eighth installment of this ten-part series, independent scientist Dr. Kevin M. Folta (University of Florida) argues that scientists, rather than activists, should be trusted in discussions about GMO technology.  …

  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.    …

  Thank you to Green State TV for sharing this video. In the sixth installment of this ten-part series, independent scientist Dr. Kevin M. Folta (University of Florida) addresses consumer concerns about 'frankenfoods,' or foods that contain genes inserted from other plant …

  The hazard of participating in an opinion forum on a scientific topic is that science isn't forged from opinion. Two juxtaposed viewpoints in the Sentinel provide the illusion that they are equally meritorious sides of the same issue. As typical with a scientific topic linked to a publ …

ABIC 2014 Speaker Highlights: Julie Borlaug Speaking at the Public Forum Sunday October 5 By Noelle Chorney No one knows better than Julie Borlaug the value of gaining public support for biotechnology projects. As the Associate Director of External Relations for the Borlaug Insti …

David Gerecke (Saskatoon) and Aimee Schalles (Vancouver) In our blog entry posted on March 3, 2014, we set out the broad context for the amendments to the Plant Breeders’ Rights Act (“PBRA”). In this post we will discuss the current legislation and what breeders in Canada c …

David Gerecke (Saskatoon) and Aimee Schalles (Vancouver) In our blog entry posted on March 3, 2014, we set out the broad context for the amendments to the Plant Breeders’ Rights Act (“PBRA”). In this post we will discuss the current legislation and what breeder …

On April 17th Ag-West Bio and Innovation Place co-hosted a breakfast and information session to shine some light on UPOV 91 and the recently tabled Bill C-18, which contains amendments to the Plant Breeders' Rights (PBR) Act. Renowned plant breeder, Bryan Harvey (Professor Emeritus at the Uni …

The debate around genetic modification has been on-going since the first crops were introduced into the food system more than 20 years ago. Since then, both Health Canada and the U.S. Food & Drug Administration have approved a number of genetically modified crops for use as food (e.g. specific n …

Saskatchewan scientists have contributed key scientific resources to the oilseed crop known as Camelina with the publication of new research findings in the academic journal, Nature Communications. The article published today, features technical details of Camelina’s genome sequence resulting …

Kristi Snell, Vice President of Research and Biotechnology for Metabolix, Inc. talks about her company's technology and activities at its laboratory in the National Research Council facility in Saskatoon, SK.

Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada research leads to new opportunities on the prairies When most people in the Prairies look at fields of yellow, they immediately think of canola. But there are other yellow-flowered plants vying for attention. Ethiopian mustard (carinata) and camelina are both conte …

Protein-rich quinoa is poised to become a major cash crop for Canadian agriculture and new research will help scientists develop new varieties of the ‘ancient grain’ better suited for our climate. With origins from the Lake Titicaca region of Peru, and with growing demand around the w …

ABIC Speaker Highlights “We live in a world whose major problems have no borders,” says Nina Fedoroff, who is a keynote speaker at this year’s Agricultural Biotechnology International Conference (ABIC2014) in Saskatoon. “What affects developing nations affects all of us. He …

Saskatoon’s John Cross, respected business leader and founder of Philom Bios (now Novozymes BioAg), gives his views on activism, science and genetic modification. Read John’s biography

  Thank you to Green State TV for sharing this video. This is part 2 of a ten-part series: In this episode, we ask Dr. Kevin Folta whether the Seralini rat study proves a link between cancer and GMO food; Folta is a public scientist at the University of Florida. …

  Thank you to Green State TV for sharing this video. About: In this first episode of a ten-part series, Dr. Kevin Folta tackles the myth that GMO foods are unregulated. Dr. Folta is a public scientist at the University of Florida.   Dr. Ke …

by Noelle Chorney “Solving world hunger” is often considered not much more than a noble, but abstract and impossible goal. Dr. Ingo Potrykus decided to devote his career to solving that problem–specifically that of “hidden hunger,” or the lack of micronutrients in st …

by Keith Downey and Bryan Harvey As public plant breeders with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and the University of Saskatchewan for a combined total of over 100 years, we were pleased to see the recently tabled Agricultural Growth Act (Bill C-18). This Bill encompasses desirable amendments …

by David Gerecke Development of a new seed variety requires a substantial investment of time and money. The quest to discover new traits and improve plant performance can be highly unpredictable, particularly in traditional (non-transgenic) breeding, as the process of cross-pollination of related …

Advances in plant genomics in the 1980s and early 1990s resulted in the commercialization of genetically modified crops 20 years ago. The adoption, production and international trade of GM crops created unprecedented levels of debate and dialogue about modern society’s relationship with its fo …

The science of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) has been developing for decades. It is complex and requires proper training to understand. Unfortunately there is also a great deal of pseudo-science on GMOs. The internet is used to spread this pseudo-science. The public has no way to distinguish …

  Thank you to Green State TV for sharing this video Dr. Kevin Folta's biography Visit Kevin Folta's blog      

At ABIC 2013 in Calgary, Saskatchewan Agriculture Hall of Fame 2012 inductee Maurice Delage told the story of how biotechnology has affected agriculture in Western Canada, from the producer perspective, with a presentation entitled: Impact of Biotechnology on Western Canadian Agriculture: Maurice …

Jack Grushcow, President and CEO of Linnaeus Plant Sciences, talks about the potential of Camelina sativa, a crop with great potential as a feedstock for bio-industrial uses. visit Linnaeus Plant Sciences website

Plans are solidifying for ABIC 2014, hosted by Ag-West Bio in Saskatoon, and taking place October 5–8. ABIC is the premier global meeting that promotes innovation in bioscience to ensure sustainable food, feed, fibre and fuel security as the climate changes. With several months left to fin …

Patrick Moore, the co-founder and former leader of Greenpeace, now focuses on promoting sustainability through science. He is currently leading a campaign to end the blocking of Golden Rice by environmental organizations. In some parts of the developing world, diets consist mainly of rice and little …

by Ari Yanover Photo: Golden Rice Project Genetically modified crops can be used to prevent the deaths of millions of children. Despite this, GM foods have an odd stigma attached to them. While these crops would not normally be found in nature, they are safe to eat. Thousands of studies and o …

by Robert Wager The anti-GMO industry has ramped up its attacks on genetically engineered crops and food made from them. From GE test plot destruction to demands for the banning of GE agriculture, this global industry uses fear and public ignorance of real science to advance its agenda. Recently, …

by Kari Doerksen Yes, I want to talk about the science of agriculture. I want to engage in conversations, whether it is with a local politician, a Twitter follower or my neighbour over the fence. The world is changing. The way we communicate is changing. Misinformation and fear mongering are s …

by Michael Simpson One of the tactics of the GMO (genetically modified organisms, usually crops–some people use the term GM instead) refusers is that “there’s no proof that GMO’s are safe.” Typically, in a debate, the side making the assertion (those that say GMO&r …

On September 24th we were pleased to welcome Mark Lynas to Saskatoon as a guest lecturer during National Biotechnology Week. Mark Lynas is an environmental author and campaigner.  In July, he published Nuclear 2.0: Why a Green Future Needs Nuclear Power. His most recent book in print is …

Genomics is expanding our understanding of the world and equipping industries with cutting-edge science and technologies. With applications ranging from adapted crops, healthier livestock, enhanced food security and much more – the benefits are clear. Genomics research is driving the knowledge …

by Stuart Smyth Numerous articles and reports have compared the production of organic and convention agriculture, concluding that on average, organic crop agriculture produces 25-30% less per acre. The most recent examination of the subject is a meta-analysis by Seufert, et al., (2012) that encom …

1. Historically, over the past 40 years, when and why did the first anti-GM movement come about? Is it because of science's lack of ability to explain how the GM process/technology works? The anti-GM movement has evolved over time. Different players, different strategies. Although North American …

by Christina Prasse-Krysa   “For canola, without public-private partnerships, the development of genetically modified varieties wouldn't have happened. It makes sense to partner.” Dr. Wilf Keller Dr. Wilf Keller bases this comment on his 1985-1995 experience contrib …

by Stuart Smyth Over the past month or so, there have been numerous protests against biotechnology firms and products. Many of the signs that people were shown waving in the protests were perplexing to say the least. Demonstrations of this nature do raise the question as to what foods could be co …

by Lorne Hepworth I am concerned to read that some people are so worried about the safety of genetically modified foods that they have taken to the streets. I would like to add to the conversation by providing some information that may help relieve their concerns. Canadians have access to o …

by Cami Ryan You may have run across this article “10 Reasons We Don’t Need GM Foods” on the FoodConsumer website. It’s been making its rounds on social media (Facebook and Twitter). I would like to address some of the inaccuracies in this article – point by point: …

by Noelle Chorney   Reno Pontarollo, President and CEO of Genome Prairie as of April 1, has taken the helm at an exciting time. The ag bio cluster in Saskatchewan is about to meet with new and exciting opportunities, particularly focused on the application and commercialization of gen …

The following articles were clipped and posted on Ag-West Bio’s newsfeed over the past two months. Subscribe for regular news articles. Government of Canada Highlights Successes of New Process for Natural Health Products U of S to welcome top-notch cancer researcher in Saskatoon MB Ag …

Kimby Kim McConnell Many people refer to Dr. Robb Fraley of Monsanto Company as the 'Father of Agriculture Biotechnology.' Dr. Fraley is a fascinating leader with an interesting perspective on a variety of issues. In this 10 minute RealLeaders interview, sponsored by Farm Credit Canada, w …

by Graham Scoles   A 1906 statement attributed to Luther Burbank—“We have recently advanced our knowledge of genetics to the point where we can manipulate life in a way never intended by nature…we must proceed with the utmost caution in the application of this new found …

by Cami Ryan The Bowman vs Monsanto Supreme Court hearing is big news in the United States and we are seeing ripple effects of it up here in Canada. Although some headlines sparked by interest groups that oppose modern agricultural production methods, including use of genetically modified (GM) cr …

by Stuart Smyth The benefits, both fiscal and environmental, are becoming increasingly well known in Saskatchewan and Canada from the mid-1990s adoption of genetically modified (GM) crops. In Western Canada, for example, the commercialization of GM canola in 1995 has resulted in a dramatic expans …

by Mischa Popoff The overwhelming majority of organic farmers in Canada and the United states are honest and hard-working. And guess what? They don’t care if their neighbors use genetically-modified seed. It’s the urban leaders of the organic movement who’re stoking irrational f …

The following articles were clipped and posted on Ag-West Bio’s newsfeed over the past two months. Subscribe for regular news articles. January 2012 Global Institute for Food Security welcomes international leader Millions in funding for crop research Genome Prairie Announces Ap …

Mark Lynas, a British environmentalist who helped spur the anti-gm movement in the 1990s. After learning more about the science behind genetic engineering, he says he was wrong to oppose the technology. On Jan. 3, 2013, he delivered the following lecture to the Oxford Farming Conference. Re-post …

  Neal Carter, president of Okanagan Specialty Fruits (OSF), recently delivered a TEDx talk on agricultural biotechnology that outlines the crucial benefits this technology can offer our planet. In addition to founding OSF, a small biotechnology company specializing in novel tree-fruit varietie …

by Steve Savage   There are some unique apples that could be coming to the market in the near future. They will taste exactly like some familiar varieties, but their distinguishing feature will be that they won’t turn brown after they are sliced. Scientists employed by a grower-owne …

by Wilf Keller Recent articles published in the Globe and Mail and the Western Producer featured Ag-West Bio member Okanagan Specialty Fruits (OSF), a bioscience company that has developed apple varieties that do not brown. Ag-West Bio wishes to express support for both the company and the techn …

by Erin Prosser-Loose   Canada’s challenging growing season may be no match to Canadian research. Thanks to exciting findings by Dr. Raju Datla, a senior research scientist at the National Research Council (NRC) on the University of Saskatchewan campus, we may one day be able to …

by Peter Phillips European politicians and regulators are widely viewed as the major barrier to the optimal development, adaptation, adoption and diffusion of biotechnology in the global agri-food system. Given that the 27 member states in the European Union combined produce more food than any ot …

by Cami Ryan and Robert Wager The term organic has exploded in the last decade in our privileged and health-conscious first world state. In fact, the global organic industry is now a $50 billion a year industry. The Canadian arm of this industry, through a six-page “information featur …

by Cami Ryan According to a study done by the Pew Research Centre in 2010, six in 10 (59%) consumers get news and information from a combination of online and offline sources on a typical day and use of TV and traditional newspapers are on a steady decline. Internet usage is steadily growing, ave …

by Jackie Robin and Erin Prosser-Loose Many of the drugs that we have come to rely on to treat disease may one day be produced by transgenic plants – more efficiently and at a much lower cost than with today’s methods. Although there are challenges to overcome, proponents believe …

Saskatchewan has the infrastructure and research expertise to make things happen. Worldwide, there is no question: bioscience innovation is needed. There will be more people on the planet and many will enjoy rising incomes. The amount of arable land is decreasing; many resources are less plentiful o …