Record funding for crops research Thursday, Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister Bob Bjornerud and Member of Parliament Kelly Block (Saskatoon-RosetownBiggar), on behalf of federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz, announced a record $8.3 million in croprelated research funding from the Saskatchewan Agriculture Development Fund (ADF). The record amount of funding is being awarded to 34 crop-related research projects. “As the world population grows, research will be more important than ever to ensuring our producers have the tools they need to continue meeting the demands for safe, reliable agriculture products, both at home and abroad,” Bjornerud said. “This record funding will support projects that will ultimately create longterm benefits for producers at the farmgate.” “This funding goes a long way to support research that is being done right here in Saskatchewan,” Block said. “And innovation in agriculture strengthens the economy as a whole.” Crop-related research projects receiving funding in 2012 include: • improving yields and disease-resistance in wheat, barley and flax; • increasing lentil yields and marketability through fertilization and genetic analysis; • studying infrared technology to screen out fusarium-infected wheat and barley seeds; • nutritional and quality analysis of peas, oats and saskatoon berries; • increasing profitability for wheat and lentil producers through genetic developments; • reducing yield losses in pulse crops due to drought; • increasing flax seed size to improve yields; • identifying clubroot resistant genes in canola; and • identifying factors that cause blackleg disease in canola.
Gone Locomotive . . . A CN train makes its way east, off to a new destination. The lure of the open track ahead, and the responsibility of moving goods across a vast country - the train is a huge part of Canada’s “Research is critical to the success of canola producers and we support these projects which will help improve farmers’ p r o f i t s,” S a s k C a n o l a Chair Brett Halstead said. “SaskCanola thanks the federal and provincial governments for further supporting producers through this new research funding.”
“The pulse industry in Saskatchewan continues to grow, thanks to continued investments in research and we appreciate this new funding to benefit producers,” SaskPulse Chair Lee Moats said. “This research funding will result in new innovations and technologies to improve production, increase
heritage, and a huge part of Biggar’s lore. (Independent Photo by Kevin Brautigam)
returns at the farmgate, and help Saskatchewan wheat farmers remain competitive internationally,” Western Canadian Wheat Growers Chair Gerrid Gust said. “Research is a priority for barley producers and we appreciate this funding to help address disease issues, increase yields and grow our industry,” Western Barley Growers
Association Director Tom Hewson said. “This investment will also lead to additional funding from other research partners, which is good news for our entire industry.” ADF provides funding t o h e l p i n s t i t u t i o n s, companies and industry organizations conduct research, development and
value-added activities that will benefit Saskatchewan farmers and ranchers. A complete list of all approved projects is available at agriculture. gov.sk.ca/ADF. This ADF funding is being provided under the federal-provincial Growing Forward framework.
“Deutsch Thema” sported at 38th annual Christmas dinner by Delta Fay Cruickshank for The Independent Mozart was playing in the background. Delicious smells filled the room. The people, dressed in their best, sipped wine, engaged in friendly chatter and nibbled on appetizers. Each table looked festive, dressed in fresh pine and fir boughs, white tablecloths, place cards, sparkling glasses and china plates. The night is Sunday, January 8, and the event is at the Biggar Museum in the Credit Union Gallery. It is the 38th Annual Museum Board Christmas Dinner. Thirty people were there to dine, converse and to relax after a year of
being active in the running of the Biggar Museum. Staff, board members, past and present, the Mayor and very important people in the museum were invited. Each year for the dinner, a country anywhere in the world is chosen and that becomes the theme for the evening. Alice Ellis has presented 38 of these evenings, only repeating two countries, Hawaii and Canada’s Far North. This evening’s theme represented the country of Germany. Kevin Kurulak, the MC, opened the evening by welcoming everyone and inviting Ina Allen to say Grace. Ina read a beautiful
prayer written by Martin Luther, certainly keeping with the German theme of the evening. German immigrants played a huge part in the history and culture of Canada and Biggar. Christmas in Canada has been very influenced by Germany. Delta Fay Cruickshank outlined many of the German Christmas traditions; the Christmas tree, tinsel, glass ornaments, garland, the yule log, advent calendars and active markets. At each place setting was the menu for the evening, written in German. The menu was then translated …see Museum pg 20
Very simple, and yet elegant centrepieces graced each table, thanks to Ann Sapsford. The tables were set, the appetizers were ready, and then the 38th Annual Biggar Museum Board Christmas Dinner began. Germany was the country chosen this year for the theme. A German style meal was served by the Tapps, and short talks about Germany were enjoyed by all. (Submitted photos)