Subscribe:.rss.atom.json.md.m3u.pls
Live Last read · last published · next check
Saves to your Listen queue, to pick up on another day or another device.
On this week’s Seed World podcast, McGill University PhD candidate Neha Paserkar explains how genomics, transcriptomics and climate research are helping breeders develop disease-resistant crops for the future. As climate change reshapes growing conditions around the world, scientists are beginning to ask a question that could have major implications for agriculture: Will crops defend themselves…
At just 25, Anirup Sengupta is using genomics, AI, and predictive breeding tools to help plant breeders develop more resilient crops — without losing sight of the farmers those innovations are meant to serve. When Anirup Sengupta talks about plant breeding on this week’s episode of the Seed World Canada Podcast, he reaches for an analogy almost anyone can understand. “Without a reference genome,”…
From his early studies in China to leading oat breeding efforts in Canada, Yan has built a career dedicated to helping breeders make better decisions and develop stronger crops for changing environments. Few people embody that reality better than Dr. Weikai Yan, recipient of the 2026 Plant Breeding and Genetics Award , sponsored by Seed World Canada and Seeds Canada. Over a career spanning more…
A single-star evaluation helped save a breeding line that would go on to transform yellow pea production across Western Canada. Some crop varieties achieve instant success. Others succeed because someone gave them one more chance. That was the case for CDC Meadow , the yellow pea variety developed at the University of Saskatchewan’s Crop Development Centre (CDC) and named 2026 Seed of the Year .…
Canada’s wheat and barley breeding system is facing a critical turning point, as major farm organizations, universities and industry stakeholders are discussing the optimal future for cereal breeding in Western Canada. This month, a coalition that includes the Canadian Wheat Research Coalition (CWRC), the Canadian Barley Research Coalition, Seeds Canada and Prairie universities released a joint…
The vice chair of the House agriculture committee says witness testimony made it clear: planned federal research facility closures would have lasting impacts on Canadian agriculture. The future of agricultural research in Canada is facing a critical moment — and a new report from the House of Commons agriculture committee is putting that debate squarely in the spotlight. On the latest episode of…
Why promising research fails to reach the market, and what leaders say needs to change. Canada isn’t struggling to generate ideas. It’s struggling to make them matter. That’s the core challenge facing the country’s seed and ag innovation system, according to Nancy Tout, interim CEO of the Global Institute for Food Security (GIFS). “We’re incredibly strong at generating innovation,” Tout says. “But…
In the latest Seed World Podcast, Reinheimer explains why Canada risks falling behind globally — and what must change to protect innovation. Canada has long punched above its weight in plant breeding — especially in wheat, where its global reputation for quality and performance is firmly established. But as Jason Reinheimer explains in this week’s Seed World Podcast, past success doesn’t guarantee…
Balancing tradition and innovation remains the key challenge in building a sustainable breeding ecosystem. Canada’s top plant breeders’ rights official is stepping onto the global stage — and he’s bringing a clear message about innovation with him to the new episode of the Seed World Canada podcast. Anthony Parker, commissioner of Canada’s Plant Breeders’ Rights Office, has been named the new…
From relocation decisions to talent retention, Lori Oatway of Western Crop Innovations outlines the human side of research system changes. News of the planned closure of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Lacombe research station earlier this year is prompting reflection across Canada’s agricultural sector, particularly around research capacity, collaboration and long-term expertise. In a new Seed…
Dan Wright explains why current models are falling short — and how new approaches like the Variety Use Agreement could change the game. Canada’s seed industry is at a crossroads—and the stakes couldn’t be higher. At the Prairie Grain Development Committee meetings, new Seeds Canada CEO Dan Wright didn’t mince words: without better funding for innovation, Canadian farmers risk falling behind…
As he retires at the end of the month, a leading Canadian plant pathologist shares insights on legacy, mentorship and the real-world impact of crop disease science. Dr. Kelly Turkington has spent more than four decades studying the diseases that shape Western Canadian crops, but ask him about his career, and he’ll tell you it’s really about people. In the latest episode of the Seed World Canada…
It’s rare that the seed sector and the music industry overlap, but Anton van Doornmalen, Rijk Zwaan’s co-owner, chairman of its supervisory board and a singer-songwriter on the side, is changing that. For van Doornmalen, music is more than a way to unwind after a day in the office — it’s his way of sharing knowledge and passion for the vegetable seed industry. Van Doornmalen’s album “Seed Songs”…
At the recent meetings of the Prairie Grain Development Committee, Seed World Canada sat down with Howard Love, lead scientist for Mustard 21 in Saskatoon, to talk about his extensive history in the ag industry, where mustard is as a crop and where it’s going in the future. The crop is hugely important to Canada, which is one of the world’s top exporters of mustard grain. Mustard 21’s primary goal…
Reflecting on the ongoing transformations within our system, I find the overhaul known as Seed Regulatory Modernization (SRM) to be a valuable departure from the gradual evolution we’ve observed over the years. Martin Pick I can’t help but acknowledge the significant role played by W.R. “Wilf” Bradnock, who led the Seed Section of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) throughout the 1960s until…
Greg and Sarah Stamp of Stamp Seeds have been chosen as the 2023 winners of the Alberta/NWT Outstanding Young Farmers Program. Among four nominees, the dynamic couple secured the coveted title, recognized for their exceptional contributions to the agricultural industry. The prestigious event took place in conjunction with AgSmart in Olds, Alta. this week. Stamp Seeds and Stamp Farms is a…
Olds College of Agriculture and Technology has signed an official agreement to collaborate in the research, development, and testing of agriculture technologies and products at the Olds College Smart Farm with Nufarm Agriculture Inc., an Aug. 2 news release said. “We are thrilled to partner with Olds College, a renowned institution with a strong commitment to agricultural excellence, as we make…
A face Canadian farmers recognize is back handling the agriculture portfolio in Ottawa. Prime Minister Trudeau appointed Lawrence MacAulay, the P.E.I. MP for Cardigan since 1988, to once again be the minister for agriculture and agri-food during a cabinet shuffle on Wednesday. MacAulay participated in a private swearing-in ceremony on Tuesday and remained in P.E.I. following his brother Jim’s…
Farm Credit Canada (FCC) has announced that it is offering support to customers in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba that have faced financial hardship due to dry conditions which have impacted crop quality, according to a release . All four provinces have experienced dry and hot weather during the crops’ critical states. Quality and yield are projected to be impacted by the…
In the dynamic world of agriculture, continuous advancements in technology and genetics play a vital role in shaping the future of farming. Over the past several years, the producers of the Alberta Seed Guide — the Alberta Seed Processors (ASP) and Alberta-British Columbia Seed Growers (ABCSG) — have remained steadfast supporters of the Field Crop Development Centre (FCDC) Lacombe Field Day,…
As of July 1 workers at some of British Columbia’s busiest ports headed to the picket lines. The strike includes 7,200 port workers at roughly 30 B.C. ports, who are members of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) and employed by the B.C. Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA). It’s leading to cargo bottlenecks for ports along the West Coast. “The BCMEA has continued to advance…
https://seedworld.com/cdn/wp-content/uploads/20240103141422/Register-Now-for-the-2022-Corteva-Ag-Sciences-Symposium.mp3 It’s that time of year again — time for the Corteva Agricultural Sciences Symposium at the University of Guelph. This year’s symposium takes place Nov. 16 at the University of Guelph, and is being held both virtually and in person. The theme this year is Agriculture to People:…
Andrew Horgan, National Association of Plant Breeders 2022 Borlaug Scholar and Texas A&M grad student, sits down to chat about working with fruit and how an experience with a failed coffee startup taught him some valuable lessons in business. Interview conducted Aug. 9 at the NAPB annual meeting in Ames, Iowa. The post Why Andy Horgan Wears his Failed Startup Like a Badge of Honor appeared first…
Chris Churko can be described as a lot of things: husband, father, son, fisherman, hobby farmer, introvert. We sat down with the new chief executive officer for FP Genetics to find out his secrets to climbing the corporate ladder and why sometimes you have to take something apart in order to make it stronger. The post Germination Eye on Business Podcast Series Ep 2: Living in the Grey appeared…
You’ve probably heard of the Beyond Meat burger. Plant-based protein is all the rage, and presents some exciting opportunities for agriculture and the seed industry. What does this market look like, and what opportunities exist? Find out by registering for our Retail Roundtable webinar sponsored by Canterra Seeds! Participants will learn: • Why the plant-based protein market is growing and the…
In our new Eye on Business podcast episode, Trevor Nysetvold and Holly Gelech of Alberta’s SGS BioVision offer insights on what the new year will bring in terms of seed health and how your business could benefit from testing seed in-storage. Hosted by Marc Zienkiewicz Seed analysts be thought of as diagnostic doctors, diagnosing the health of your most precious input. As a new year begins, the…
The outgoing president of the Canadian Seed Trade Association reflects on his 12 months helming the board and explains his favourite analogy for the Seed Synergy Collaboration Project. The post For Todd Hyra, Seed Synergy is Like Building a New Seed Plant appeared first on Seed World .
Trevor Nysetvold and Holly Gelech of SGS BioVision talk to Marc Zienkiewicz about how the company’s seed testing services are expanding due in part to its recent International Seed Testing Association (ISTA) accreditation. The post Why SGS BioVision’s Services Continue to Expand appeared first on Seed World .
10 years ago, France brought together its six seed associations to form the Union Française des Semenciers, the French seed association. We talk with Franck Berger, CEO of Limagrain Vegetable Seeds, on how that happened and how understanding an old French saying was the key to doing it. Also, he talks about how Limagrain Vegetable Seeds knits together people and cultures to help it be successful.…
It can often seem like the international trade scene is one of constant disruption. The best weapon in your arsenal is knowledge. In this webinar, four speakers with experience in international trade and regulatory matters will give you some valuable information and lessons learned during their own careers on how to survive and thrive in a sometimes unpredictable global marketplace. During this…
Growing up in Victoria, B.C., David Hansen didn’t see himself in agribusiness. In fact, he had no understanding or appreciation of agriculture. His destiny was in law enforcement and the RCMP. “When I graduated high school, I was in fact too young to apply to the RCMP. I went to Saskatchewan for a brief holiday, that included time with relatives who owned a small family farm in the Melfort area.…
Germination presents a series of stories on the 20 most influential people in the seed sector in 2018. Want to nominate someone for 2019? Email mzienkiewicz@issuesink.com with the subject line “Top 20 nomination”! Trevor Heck has some big shoes to fill — but given his background in helping people develop themselves and their businesses into success stories, he’s the perfect person to fill them.…
Germination presents a series of stories on the 20 most influential people in the seed sector in 2018. Want to nominate someone for 2019? Email mzienkiewicz@issuesink.com with the subject line “Top 20 nomination”! As our industry works to design a next-generation seed regulatory system for Canada via the Seed Synergy Collaboration Project, Wendy Jahn can feel the weight of the responsibility on…
Germination presents a series of stories on the 20 most influential people in the seed sector in 2018. Want to nominate someone for 2019? Email mzienkiewicz@issuesink.com with the subject line “Top 20 nomination”! To quote fictional anchorman Ron Burgundy, what Tom Steve is currently working on is — in wheat circles — kind of a big deal. If it comes to fruition, it could serve to rock the very…
Germination presents a series of stories on the 20 most influential people in the seed sector in 2018. Want to nominate someone for 2019? Email mzienkiewicz@issuesink.com with the subject line “Top 20 nomination”! Greg Stokke knows the secret to being a great leader: surround yourself with talented, creative people and then get out of their way. “I will lay out the vision and point out the path,…
Germination presents a series of stories on the 20 most influential people in the seed sector in 2018. Want to nominate someone for 2019? Email mzienkiewicz@issuesink.com with the subject line “Top 20 nomination”! Garth Hodges says dreams are like seeds — they start small, you plant them into the minds of people, you nurture them and don’t give up on them. One of his dreams was Bayer Crop…
Germination presents a series of stories on the 20 most influential people in the seed sector in 2018. Want to nominate someone for 2019? Email mzienkiewicz@issuesink.com with the subject line “Top 20 nomination”! Jason Reinheimer isn’t shy about giving his predictions on the future of western Canadian agriculture. One of those predictions is that wheat will soon overtake canola as the West’s…
Germination presents a series of stories on the 20 most influential people in the seed sector in 2018. Want to nominate someone for 2019? Email mzienkiewicz@issuesink.com with the subject line “Top 20 nomination”! These days, Brenda Trask is known by many as the communications manager for SeCan. The owner of communications company Brenda Trask and Associates has become known as not only an…
Germination presents a series of stories on the 20 most influential people in the seed sector in 2018. Want to nominate someone for 2019? Email mzienkiewicz@issuesink.com with the subject line “Top 20 nomination”! Developing a brand is no easy task. There’s a lot involved, and no one knows that better than Jeff Reid. The former researcher sits at the helm of SeCan as its general manager, and in a…
Germination presents a series of stories on the 20 most influential people in the seed sector in 2018. Want to nominate someone for 2019? Email mzienkiewicz@issuesink.com with the subject line “Top 20 nomination”! As someone whose job it is to safeguard the intellectual property (IP) of plant breeders, you might consider Lorne Hadley to be the plant breeder’s patron saint. As executive director of…
Germination presents a series of stories on the 20 most influential people in the seed sector in 2018. Want to nominate someone for 2019? Email mzienkiewicz@issuesink.com with the subject line “Top 20 nomination”! Iris Meck might not work directly in the seed industry, but that’s not stopping her from having a big influence on it. Meck, owner of Iris Meck Communications, is helping put the seed…
Climate change has certainly been at the forefront of the current federal government’s agenda and is a topic that makes headlines internationally. But no one has felt and will continue to feel the impacts of climate change more than the farmers who are tasked with producing food for a growing world population in the face of changing climatic conditions. Fortunately, Canadian farmers have embraced…
In an earlier column I talked about a workshop CropLife Canada held in the spring of 2017 in partnership with the Canada Grains Council and the Canadian Seed Trade Association on the future of plant breeding oversight in Canada. It was clear from the discussions we had that day that there’s widespread agreement within the industry that new plant breeding techniques offer enormous potential…
Participants will learn about: • The latest in soybean research • New soybean varieties for the Prairies • How you can advise grower customers in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta who are thinking of growing soybeans Speakers: • Tom Warkentin, Professor, Ministry of Agriculture Strategic Research Program Chair, University of Saskatchewan • Elroy Cober, Research Scientist, Soybean Breeding and…
It’s sometimes easy for those of us focused on agricultural policy to lose site of the fact that public trust is key to driving much-needed policy change. Policy change is much swifter and more efficient if the public supports the move. We in the plant science industry understand the benefits that modern plant breeding, including genetic engineering, has delivered to farmers, the environment, the…
Earlier this spring, CropLife Canada, the Canada Grains Council and the Canadian Seed Trade Association held a workshop entitled “Future of Plant Breeding Oversight in Canada”. The workshop was designed to clarify the current regulatory oversight framework for products of plant breeding in Canada and identify a path forward for making Canada a global leader that embraces innovation in this space.…
Johan Van Asbrouck of Thailand’s Rhino Research, which seeks to become the global technology provider for the seed industry, sits down with us at the triennial conference of the International Society for Seed Science in Monterey, Calif., to discuss his thoughts on the big issues he feels the industry needs to tackle to be technologically successful in the future. The post To Ensure its Success,…
What happens when one region of the world — a major hub for global trade — chooses politics over science when it comes to innovation in agriculture? Unfortunately, Europe is a perfect case study. The European Union (EU) has proven to be a drag on global innovation. When it comes to crops commonly traded with the EU, new crop varieties developed through genetic modification (GM) will generally not…
Canadian agriculture is all about feeding people, contributing to Canada’s economic prosperity and caring for the environment. The plant science industry plays an important role in this by delivering tools like pesticides and biotech crops to farmers that help them succeed in these areas. CropLife Canada commissioned a study in 2016 to measure our industry’s contribution to these goals in Canada.…
We often hear opponents of biotechnology say that biotech crops have not lived up to expectations. For those of us in agriculture, we know that over the last two decades biotech crops have delivered some significant benefits to Canadian farmers and farmers around the world. They have helped farmers adopt improved weed and insect control systems, which have in turn helped make agriculture more…
