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New variety a milestone in the battle against clubroot Double resistance a big step forward, but clubroot strains are quickly multiplying
Hay! Guess who’s hiring a forage researcher? New forage research job at Beaverlodge is a pleasant surprise after years of funding cutbacks
By JENNIFER BLAIR AF staff
A
new canola variety resistant to multiple strains of clubroot will hit the market in time for spring seeding. But the new variety from Crop Production Services will only be available in limited quantities and a clubroot expert says growers can’t expect it to be “a saviour.” CPS Canada says the variety, Proven Seed PV 580 GC, has shown “high levels of resistance to the current predominant clubroot pathotypes, as well as some of the newly discovered highly virulent clubroot pathotypes referred to as 5X.” “We’re really excited about this new variety because it’s the first multigenic clubroot-resistant variety that will be available to growers,” said Ryan McCann, director of seed for CPS Canada. “This is another tool that will help them combat the spread of clubroot by having another gene available in rotation with their other crops.”
see CLUBROOT } page 7
This year’s field day at the Peace Country Beef and Forage Association’s plot trials in Fairview in August drew a big crowd, eager to learn about yields and feed quality in their forage test plots. PHOTO: Peace Country Beef and Forage Association
By Alexis Kienlen AF STAFF
T
he forage industry has been asking for more researchers for a long time and finally, it seems the federal government has listened. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada recently issued a job posting for a forage researcher at its Beaverlodge research farm. It’s a term job — running until 2018 — but a step in the right direction, says the chair of the
No regrets:
Canadian Forage and Grassland Association. “It’s a welcome sign that there’s a realization on the part of the federal government that there is a need for forage research and that there’s a need for (government) to be involved,” said Doug Wray, who ranches near Irricana. Beaverlodge has a long history of forage research, and thanks to its long summer days, the Peace Country provides ideal growing conditions. Having a forage researcher in their backyard will be a big boost for local groups such as the Peace
Country Beef and Forage Association, said Wray. “Forages are an important crop in that region and it’s great to see that somebody will be working on it in that region. Just having that scientific knowledge up there will be a big benefit,” said Wray. Peace Country Beef and Forage Association already does some limited joint work with Agriculture Canada and is keen to do more, said Monika Benoit, the association’s manager. “We’re very excited — we love to collaborate and love to put our resources together to
have strong projects and better data,” said Benoit. “We just see it as a very positive development for the industry and the producers of Alberta.” The hiring will also raise hopes that it might signal the beginning of the end to the steep decline in forage research over the last 15 years that has left the country with only a handful of forage scientists. Part of the problem is that most producers are two steps removed, buying seed from seed growers but having no
see FORAGE } page 6
Gerry Ritz proud of his record } PAGE 33