AGRICULTURE DEVELOPMENT FUND APPROVES 26 PROJECTS

Twenty-six agriculture research and development projects in Saskatchewan have received support of $2.6 million from the Agriculture Development Fund (ADF).

"Investment in these projects today will mean new information, new choices and new technologies for Saskatchewan producers and processors in the future -- culminating in new opportunities," Agriculture and Food Minister Mark Wartman said.

The funding will assist projects undertaken by several Saskatchewan research institutions, such as the Colleges of Medicine, Engineering, and Agriculture and the Western College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan; Bunge Canada of Saskatoon; the Prairie Agricultural Machinery Institute; and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.

Projects include the use of the Canadian Light Source Synchrotron to improve Saskatchewan feeds and cattle production, and the development of equipment for low disturbance mechanical weed control for organic farming. Bunge Canada of Saskatoon will receive a total of $345,000 to study brassica oilseeds to produce industrial and pharmaceutical oils for the future, while the Department of Soil Science at the College of Agriculture will receive $126,844 to maximize long-term benefits from swine manure nutrients applied to Saskatchewan soils.

The ADF Advisory Committee chose these projects and others from among the proposals submitted in the May 15th round of applications.

For details about ADF applications, contact the Agriculture Research Branch in Regina, (306) 787-6566.

-30-

For More Information, Contact:

Dr. Abdul Jalil Agriculture, Food and Rural Revitalization Regina Phone: (306) 787-5960