SaskCanola’s 2024 Key Takeaways
In an effort to share more of the day-to-day work the Commission Board & Staff are responsible for, in the form of key takeaways, we will feature insights gathered from meetings, conferences, interviews, and other engagements. Follow along to discover how SaskCanola's dedicated team is working to provide value to Saskatchewan canola producers.
April
April 10, 2024 - AITC-SK AGM & Strategy Workshop
SaskCanola applauds AITC-SK on their impressive reach of 73,177 students, 658 schools, and 261 communities in 2023! Saskatchewan has 195,500 students today, and the future of agriculture rests in their hands. How can AITC-SK reach them all? That was the critical topic of discussion during AITC-SK's AGM & 30th Anniversary celebration and strategy workshop - with SaskCanola's Board Chair and Communications Staff participating in the conversation. SaskCanola is a proud Hero Sponsor of AITC-SK, investing $50,000 annually towards agriculture education in Saskatchewan classrooms.April 10, 2024 - Collaborative Policy Issue Workshop
SaskCanola’s ED & Policy Manager alongside other ag leaders provided feedback in a workshop held by Stuart Smyth to prioritize policy issues and mobilize the agriculture message to Canadians. SaskCanola co-funds the Agri-Food Innovation and Sustainability Enhancement Chair that Stuart Smyth holds at the University of Saskatchewan.April 16, 2024 - CCFI AGM
SaskCanola's Exec Director attended the Canadian Centre for Food Integrity's (CCFI) Annual General Meeting. SaskCanola’s membership of the CCFI includes access to valuable market research on consumer perceptions of agriculture - insights that help drive how we invest levy dollars into domestic market development initiatives.April 19, 2024 - Dietitian Masters Student Internship
SaskCanola's Market Development Manager recently mentored Ashley Williams, a dietitian masters student, for a six-week internship. As part of her grad studies, Ashley is conducting research on how agricultural university courses are presented in Canada. “As a registered dietitian, Ashley will have a significant impact on thousands of Canadians throughout her career and continue to be a credible voice, connecting consumers with agriculture,” says Lynn Weaver, Market Development Manager.April 25, 2024 - Canola Shatter Committee Meeting
The Canola Shatter Committee's first meeting took place earlier this month. The Committee's purpose is to evaluate check varieties and manage extension messaging related to canola shatter ratings. “The resources developed by this committee will help growers choose canola cultivars with appropriate shatter ratings for their farm. The committee will continue to ensure these ratings and extension materials are valuable for growers across the prairies,” says Kaeley Kindrachuk, SaskCanola’s Agronomy Extension Specialist.
March
March 20, 2024 - Provincial Budget Announcement
SaskCanola's Vice-Chair, Exec. Director & Policy Manager travelled to Regina to participate in the Government of Saskatchewan's budget announcement which included a 5.6% increase to the ag budget specifically. "It is because of this commitment to research by our governments and the sector that Saskatchewan famers are able to be the most innovative in the country," says Tracy Broughton, SaskCanola's Executive Director.March 21, 2024 - Collaborative Ag Research Meeting
SaskCanola's Research Manager, Doug Heath, attended a collaborative meeting to cultivate connections by bringing funders and innovators in agriculture research together. Heath reported, "Adoption was the theme that emerged from the meeting. As a Commission, when it comes to farmers' adoption of research results, we need to find harmony between 'best practice' and the realities of embracing new tech or management practices on-farm."March 25, 2204 - SaskCanola’s Research Committee Meeting
SaskCanola’s Research Committee met to discuss a number of projects in preparation for our upcoming Board meeting. "Strong participation (27 sites and counting) signed up for year two of SaskCanola's on-farm research trials is evidence that farmers find value in the new program," said Jon Fehr, SaskCanola Director.March 28, 2024 - Western Producer Interview
SaskCanola's Market Development Manager, Lynn Weaver (a registered dietitian), addressed seed oil misconceptions in an interview aiming to dispel misinformation being spread on social media.
For more information, contact:
Ellen Grueter, Communications Manager
egrueter@saskcanola.com
(306) 975-0262