The governments of Canada and Manitoba are investing more than $2 million over three years to support 24 research and development projects in Manitoba’s agriculture and agri-food sector, Federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz and Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Development Minister Ron Kostyshyn announced._x000D_
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“Research and development continue to be key to driving innovation in Canada’s agriculture and agri-food industry,” says Ritz. “Investments in new research such as these will help create further economic opportunities for our producers and processors.”_x000D_
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The funded projects cover a range of agricultural issues including animal and human health, on-farm production technologies and opportunities for value-added industries and include:_x000D_
• the effects of late planting on early-maturing soybeans,_x000D_
• management strategies to control insecticide-resistant Colorado potato beetles,_x000D_
• fusarium head blight resistance in barley,_x000D_
• the long-term market effects of feeding and vaccination strategies for beef cattle,_x000D_
• genetic markers for flavour selection in pork, and_x000D_
• hemp consumption and human health trials._x000D_
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“By strategically investing in research and development, we can encourage new opportunities and a more diverse economy in rural areas,” says Kostyshyn. “Manitoba’s agriculture and agri-food sector will certainly benefit from the findings of these projects. Adopting the new ideas generated from this work will lead to further economic growth in the province.”_x000D_
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In addition to the federal and provincial funding, applicants and funding partners are providing cash and in-kind contributions of approximately $3.6 million. Partners include agricultural businesses, commodity groups, the Western Grains Research Foundation and university and government researchers.
