Performance Plants Inc. (PPI) is getting a multi-year federal funding boost through the AgriScience Program – Projects Component. Over four years, the agricultural biotechnology developer will receive $2,325,361 to develop a high-yielding, climate change-resistant soybean and enable field testing. “Soybean farming is a cornerstone of agriculture here in Canada,” said Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture […] Read more
Tag Archives genetics
Government funds soybean climate-change resistance research
EU governments fail to agree on gene-editing rules despite patent exception
A last-ditch attempt by EU governments to break a deadlock over relaxing regulations on gene-edited crops failed after countries including Poland rejected changes to the text that exempted patented seeds from the measure.
Funding to help make cattle data gathering easier
Partnership between Angus and Holstein association will look at sharing trait information and how to automate data management
New funding for the Canadian Angus Association and Holstein Canada will allow them to improve the data that goes into genetic evaluations and expand into new areas including carcass quality and traits that help limit the environmental impact of beef.
Accepting genome editing means society must benefit too
The Council for Agricultural Science and Technology offers recommendations to ensure plant breeding technologies continue to benefit agriculture
The rapid pace of change brought by genome editing tools has created many new opportunities for the agri-food industry, but they aren’t without challenges. Regulatory hurdles must be considered, and the tools must benefit society as well as the agriculture industry. Why it matters: Genome editing tools can greatly advance plant breeding progress through less […] Read more
Lactanet partners with Angus group for beef-on-dairy genetics
U.S-.based organization also publishes sire data from Canada, Australia
Lactanet is working with a U.S.-based Angus association to share genotyping of Angus bulls from Canada, the U.S. and Australia, as it responds to calls from dairy sector stakeholders to assist in beef-on-dairy breeding decisions. Brian Van Doormaal, chief services officer for Lactanet, described the arrangement during the company’s Feb. 27 Open Industry Session webinar. […] Read more
Breeding for plant plasticity
Epigenetics has immense potential for helping crops mitigate the effects of climate change
Genetic manipulations such as RNAi silencing and CRISPR are helping researchers and plant breeders enhance traits and characteristics. The genomic mapping of corn, soybean, wheat and oat creates more opportunities to improve plant growth and desired properties in those crops. Why it matters: Epigenetics could give plant breeders the ability to make crops more resilient […] Read more
Paul Larmer – the retirement interview
The CEO of the Semex Alliance led the organization during 17 years of growth into a global entity still owned by Canadian dairy farmers
Paul Larmer retired as chief executive officer of the Semex Alliance on Dec. 31, after growing a farmer-owned Canadian company into a leading global player. Over 17 years as CEO, Larmer led the organization to become one of the top five dairy genetics companies in the world, and saw it through dramatic change driven by […] Read more
Sequence of oat genome a major step forward
The question now is how to use the information to drive oat production in Eastern Canada
In a province dominated by corn, soybeans and wheat, oat production can be undervalued. But those who grow it for food markets, work in the seed trade or feed it to livestock defend the crop’s production and value. That is why the recent sequencing of the oat genome is viewed with anticipation. Creation of the […] Read more
At Ag in Motion: Soybean proponents still eye western expansion
Crop seen as a good add to rotations -- if conditions are right
While canola is king of the Canadian oilseed market, the same can be said of soybeans in the United States. However, the big pulse crop south of the border has made inroads in the western provinces. Manitoba has seen the biggest growth in soybean acres with well over a million planted annually in recent years, […] Read more
New genetic horizons for food-grade soybeans
Future varieties will resist diseases like SCN and white mould
Soybean cyst nematode and white mould are two problematic diseases in many parts of Ontario, where most counties have confirmed infections. In eastern parts of the province and western Quebec, white mould is an almost perennial issue for growers and can appear in hot spots in southern regions as well. The two diseases can be […] Read more
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