Producers across the province could benefit from a new funding announcement in the crop research industry.

Today, Canada’s Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Lawrence MacAulay and Saskatchewan’s Minister of Agriculture Daryl Harrison announced that $9.4 million would be invested into crop-related research. This funding comes alongside $5.4 million in co-funding from industry partners, for a combined total of $14.8 million this year.

Industry partners include Alberta Grains, Alberta Pulse Growers, Manitoba Crop Alliance, Mustard 21 Canada, Saskatchewan Barley Development Commission, Saskatchewan Forage Seed Development Commission, Saskatchewan Oilseeds Development Commission, Saskatchewan Pulse Growers, Saskatchewan Wheat Development Commission, and Western Grains Research Foundation.

The money will support 53 approved research projects on a variety of topics that aim to advance the industry. The slate of projects includes mapping soil carbon sequestration in Saskatchewan cropland, examining alternative genetic mechanisms for resistance to the wheat stem sawfly, and studying the effects of a pea-based beverage on bone health to prevent osteoporosis and bone fracture.

The funding is invested through Saskatchewan’s Agriculture Development Fund (ADF) under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership.