Saskatchewan, March 24, 2011 - Today, federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz and Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister Bob Bjornerud announced a record investment for producer-led agricultural demonstration projects. Over $600,000 in funding is being provided for 74 producer-led projects in Saskatchewan this summer under the Agricultural Demonstration of Practices and Technologies (ADOPT) program.

"There's no better way to determine the success of new farming practices than to let farmers put them to the test," said Minister Ritz. "Here are 74 more great examples of the kind of support our Government is proud to deliver to farmers."

"This funding will go towards a wide variety of projects to help transfer research from the lab to the field," Bjornerud said. "These projects will allow farmers and ranchers to get a first-hand look at new innovations and technologies, which will benefit them at the farm gate."

Approved projects include:

• examining brome grass midge control;
• studying faba beans as a green manure source;
• comparing inputs on peas and lentils;
• demonstrating different canola seeding speeds;
• evaluating different pod-sealants on canola;
• evaluating new insecticides for pest control in alfalfa;
• studying the control of kochia;
• reclaiming saline soil using perennial forages;
• evaluating fungicides to control disease in Saskatoon berries; and
• comparing new varieties of corn for cattle grazing.

The projects approved for funding were submitted by 31 producer-led organizations from across the province and represent many different parts of the agriculture industry, including grains, oilseeds, pulses, forages, livestock, fruits, vegetables and organic production.

"Saskatchewan producers are constantly looking for ways to improve production," Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan President Greg Marshall said. "These projects will give producers the opportunity to see new industry innovations and how they can incorporate them into their own operations."

Ministers Ritz and Bjornerud also announced ADOPT funding amounts will increase, beginning with Fall 2011 projects. Producer groups will now be eligible to receive up to a maximum of $75,000 per year in project funding, an increase from the current $50,000 per year.

Funding for ADOPT is provided under the federal-provincial Growing Forward initiative.

The application deadline for the Fall 2011 projects is June 15, 2011. For more information, producer groups can contact their local Saskatchewan Agriculture Regional Office.

A complete list of projects is available at www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca.

For more information, media may contact:

Media Relations
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Ottawa, Ontario
613-773-7972
1-866-345-7972

Meagan Murdoch
Press Secretary
The Office of the Honourable Gerry Ritz
613-773-1059

Patrick Boyle, Agriculture
Téléphone : 306-787-2359
Courriel : Patrick.Boyle@gov.sk.ca

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