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
Tag Archives Science
Sequence of oat genome a major step forward
The question now is how to use the information to drive oat production in Eastern Canada
Opinion: Communicating livestock research results
Economy, environment and food security are all part of the research story consumers need to hear from the livestock sector
There is a lot of research going on in Canada related to the big issues facing the livestock sector. This type of research needs to be highly focused which means that outcomes often are as well. Resulting news stories tend to use simple metrics, such as greenhouse gas emissions per unit of gross product, which […] Read more
Editorial: Food from space
The recent Canada-wide Rogers outage was a reminder for me of what life was like before the internet. Although it was a huge inconvenience (I wasn’t able to work at all that day), it was a trip down memory lane. It was nice to disconnect and not feel the need to check my email or […] Read more
Genetic editing in livestock faces strong headwinds
University of California, Davis professor says lack of acceptance of gene editing stifles potential gains in livestock sector
Regulations on gene editing of animals are contributing to negative public perceptions of the technology and stifling innovation in the livestock sector, according to Alison Van Eenennaam of the University of California, Davis. A veteran science communicator and cooperative extension specialist in animal genomics and biotechnology, her professional and personal experience led her to believe […] Read more
Machine learning uncovers ‘genes of importance’ in agriculture
Science Notes: Technology can also predict additional traits in plants, disease outcomes in animals
Machine learning can pinpoint “genes of importance” that help crops to grow with less fertilizer, according to a new study published in Nature Communications. It can also predict additional traits in plants and disease outcomes in animals, illustrating its applications beyond agriculture. Using genomic data to predict outcomes in agriculture and medicine is both a promise and […] Read more
Opinion: Tiny nanoparticles poised for huge impact
Companies are emerging to give farmers more precise management of crops and livestock
Science is about big ideas that change the world. But sometimes, big impacts come from the tiniest of objects. Nanotechnology might sound like science fiction, but it represents technologies that have been developed for decades. Nanotechnological approaches have found real-world applications in a wide range of areas, from composite materials in textiles to agriculture. Agriculture […] Read more
Experiential learning program plants SEEDS of on-farm knowledge
Organizers hope to launch a science-based program in September Three sets of eyes widen as a brown egg drops from a hen and rolls to a stop next to two others in the laying box. Amid excited squeals, one girl gingerly reaches forward and, after a few false starts, snatches the fresh egg from under […] Read more
Space agency looks for out of this world food solutions
Food innovations for space flight could also have impact on food security on Earth
NASA and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) are turning to Canadians for help in figuring out how to keep people alive during long future space flights to Mars and beyond. The two organizations have come together with national food and agri-tech accelerator Bioenterprise and its Quebec counterpart ZoneAgTech to launch an exceptional call for innovation […] Read more
Mechanism identified to protect crop reproduction from heat stress
Science Notes: Climate change to impact crop yields
As temperatures rise due to global warming, the need to protect plants from stressful conditions has increased. Stress can cause a loss in yield and cause further impact economically. A consortium led by the University of Warwick has successfully identified two proteins that protect crops from stress, which is key in safeguarding food production. Plant […] Read more
Gene-edited crops suffer in information war
Consumers continue to confuse gene editing with genetic modification
Glacier FarmMedia – Canadians don’t know much, or think much, about gene-edited crops. But when asked about the technology, one phrase pops up: genetically modified organisms. Last summer, CropLife Canada hired a polling firm to gauge public knowledge and perceptions about gene-edited crops. Why it matters: How gene-edited crops are regulated around the world will […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
