AgBio News
USask community appointed to the Order of Canada
Three members of the University of Saskatchewan (USask) community are set to receive one of the country’s highest civilian honours by being appointed to the Order of Canada.
Landmark study generates first genomic atlas for global wheat improvement
USask-led study sequences genomes of 15 wheat varieties around the world
USask researchers partner with industry to make food and pipelines safer, agriculture smarter
Backed by $2 million from the federal government and partner organizations, University of Saskatchewan (USask) researchers aim to make Arctic pipelines stronger and safer, protect ...
Soil science PhD graduate breaks new ground in Canada
Completing a PhD is a long and strenuous journey. Moving to a new continent to pursue your PhD, finishing your dissertation and defending your thesis during a pandemic only adds to...
AgBio graduate blossoms in study abroad experience
Making the most of the University of Saskatchewan’s (USask) study abroad program opened up a world of possibilities for Simone Roelens.
USask Livestock and Forage Centre of Excellence moves into next stage of development with new interim director
Renowned University of Saskatchewan (USask) forage breeder Bruce Coulman has been selected to lead the university’s Livestock and Forage Centre of Excellence (LFCE) as interim dire...
USask plant scientists develop model for identifying lentil varieties best suited to climate change impacts
With demand for lentils growing globally and climate change driving temperatures higher, a University of Saskatchewan (USask)-led international research team has developed a model ...
BASF marks 25-year partnership with USask Crop Development Centre with $100K investment
SASKATOON – BASF Agricultural Solutions has pledged $100,000 towards the advancement of a new world-class plant breeding facility at the Crop Development Centre (CDC) at the Univer...
SaskTel and USask collaborate to foster and support innovation in agriculture
Today SaskTel and the University of Saskatchewan (USask) announced that they are partnering to launch a “living laboratory” at the university’s Livestock and Forage Centre of Excel...
CBRC commits $2.7M to USask CDC barley breeding activities
SASKATOON – The Canadian Barley Research Coalition (CBRC) announced today it will invest $2.7 million over five years in the University of Saskatchewan’s (USask) Crop Development C...
Bedard-Haughn excited to take leadership role
Despite beginning her term as dean of the College of Agriculture and Bioresources (AgBio) during a global pandemic, Dr. Angela Bedard-Haughn (PhD) is looking forward to the challen...
USask awarded $1.2M to advance health, agriculture and environmental research
Creating artificial substitutes for human tissue and organs, discovering the best diet to help bacteria break down oil spills, and using high-powered computing to develop next-gene...
USask emeritus professor appointed to Canadian Agricultural Hall of Fame
After a highly successful career as a barley breeder with the Crop Development Centre spanning almost four decades, Dr. Bryan Harvey (PhD) has been inducted into the Canadian Agric...
WGRF commits $1.5 million toward graduate scholarships
Western Grains Research Foundation (WGRF) announced a $1.5 million-dollar investment in graduate scholarships at the University of Saskatchewan, University of Manitoba and the Univ...
Gardening at USask program more popular than ever during pandemic
When the University of Saskatchewan’s Gardening at USask team launched the program’s website and Facebook page three years ago, even they were surprised by the thirst for gardening...
Annual polycrop is compared to barley in a USask research study
Growing an annual polycrop for beef cattle isn’t a silver bullet to extend grazing, but producers may still see some benefits when the crop is managed properly, according to resear...
New USask app promotes potential economic value of planting carbon-storing shelterbelts
A unique new app developed by University of Saskatchewan (USask) researchers offers agricultural landowners tailored information about the carbon offset value of planting shelterbe...
USask appoints new Crop Development Centre director
Dr. Curtis Pozniak (PhD) has been appointed the new director of the Crop Development Centre (CDC) at the University of Saskatchewan (USask).
Yates masters the art of teaching soil science
For Dr. Tom Yates (PhD), experiential learning and learning from mistakes are important parts of his teaching method.
Protecting chickens from heart disease
The health and welfare of broiler chickens may improve thanks to University of Saskatchewan (USask) researcher Andrew Olkowski and colleagues.
Teens to help USask researchers track climate change and wildlife impacts in northern Canada
As part of a University of Saskatchewan (USask) research project, small teams of high school students from Saskatchewan and Manitoba will spend their summers in bug jackets, ventur...
USask appoints new dean in College of Agriculture and Bioresources
Dr. Angela Bedard-Haughn (PhD) has been appointed the new dean of the College of Agriculture and Bioresources at the University of Saskatchewan (USask).
USask researchers team up with companies to make hand sanitizer
University of Saskatchewan (USask) researchers and three local companies are helping to address a provincial shortage of hand sanitizer using a bioprocessing facility on the USask ...
USask scientists help farmers in West Africa improve crops
Derek Peak and Abimfoluwa Olaleye are using Canadian Light Source at the University of Saskatchewan (Usask) to help farmers in Nigeria and the Republic of Benin to grow vegetables ...
USask drinking water study shows beef cattle can tolerate high levels of sulphates
Scientists at the University of Saskatchewan (USask) have published a study that shows beef cattle can tolerate higher concentrations of sulphates in drinking water than previously...
USask students partner with local historical institution on beautification project
As part of the Fundamentals of Horticulture course offered by the College of Agriculture and Bioresources, students developed landscaping plans for the Western Development Museum (...
USask research indicates pulses sensitive to seedrow fertilizer
Research conducted at the University of Saskatchewan’s (USask) Department of Soil Science, has demonstrated that pulses can be sensitive to seed-placed starter nitrogen, phosphorus...
USask researchers map cannabis genome to improve crops and health
Unlocking the full potential of cannabis for agriculture and human health will require a co-ordinated scientific effort to assemble and map the cannabis genome, according to a just...
New drug protocol may reduce pain during castration
A Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) researcher and his team are looking into new options for pain management during castration of beef calves.
Usask Range Team continues to impress at international rangeland management competition
The University of Saskatchewan (USask) Range Team has been making a name for itself at the annual international Society for Range Management (SRM) rangeland management competition....
New USask research chair to bring integrated approach to agronomy
If you’re a farmer on the Prairies, Maryse Bourgault is looking forward to talking with you.
Agri-Food Innovation and Sustainability Enhancement Chair demonstrates value of industry collaboration
After a successful five-year term as the Research Chair in Agri-Food Innovation, Dr. Stuart Smyth (PhD) has been reappointed to the renewed Agri-Food Innovation and Sustainability ...
USask researchers develop fast, accurate test to identify toxins in cereal crops
SASKATOON – Researchers at the University of Saskatchewan (USask) Crop Development Centre (CDC) have developed a fast and accurate method for identifying and quantifying toxins in ...
All we are saying is give peas a chance
As a passionate proponent of plant-based proteins for more than two decades, researcher Dr. Tom Warkentin (PhD) understands better than most the recent rapid rise in popularity of ...
Reducing beef cattle GHG emissions
Eat less beef … save the planet! It’s a common theme on social media and among celebrities. Yet, researchers at the University of Saskatchewan (USask) are working to show that beef...
Scholarship support gives USask student a global perspective on feeding the world
College of Agriculture and Bioresources student David MacTaggart is learning how to feed the future through international conferences and research.
Researchers collaborate at Canadian Light Source to create healthier bread
Ever since early humans discovered how to grind grain, the art of breadmaking has flourished and today bread is the most widely consumed food in the world. The apron has now been r...
USask livestock researchers awarded nearly $7M to improve food sustainability and safety
Twenty University of Saskatchewan (USask) projects have been awarded nearly $7 million through a joint federal-provincial government funding program to advance cattle, swine, and p...
USask Global Institute for Food Security supporting collaborative social science research
University of Saskatchewan (USask) research has received a $675,000 boost from the Global Institute for Food Security (GIFS) to investigate social science impacts on food security ...
Black is the new green
Shane Olson pioneered rubber recycling 26 years ago while working nights to feed his family. Today, his company is working with Nike.
CWRC commits over $9.6 million to USask Crop Development Centre for wheat research
The Canadian Wheat Research Coalition (CWRC), a collaboration of the Saskatchewan Wheat Development Commission, the Alberta Wheat Commission, and the Manitoba Wheat and Barley Grow...
USask crop researchers awarded $8M to advance food and bio-products for a sustainable future
SASKATOON – Thirty University of Saskatchewan (USask) crop research projects have been awarded a total of more than $8 million through Saskatchewan’s Agricultural Development Fund ...
USask Global Institute for Food Security researchers help crack canola genome
SASKATOON —Global Institute for Food Security (GIFS) researchers at the University of Saskatchewan (USask) are members of an international consortium of key academic and global see...
CLS launches nation-wide educational science project
The Canadian Light Source (CLS) has launched a unique initiative that creates opportunities for school students across the country to be directly involved in a national research pr...
Crop development breeds patience for USask wheat researcher
It’s taken 20 years for this particularly purple wheat to go from grain to glass, but it’s all music to Dr. Pierre Hucl’s (PhD) ears.
Bridging medicine and agriculture to prevent age-related illness
If Dr. Christopher Eskiw (PhD) and his co-investigators are correct, the inner workings of brewing yeast could point the way to greater human longevity and the prevention of age-re...
USask students establish bee hotels in Saskatoon
As part of a sustainability course, students are developing bee habitats to provide a safe environment for bees to reproduce.
Canadian Western Agribition contributes $100,000 to USask Livestock and Forage Centre of Excellence
REGINA – Canadian Western Agribition (CWA) has announced a contribution of $100,000 over the next decade to the University of Saskatchewan (USask) Livestock and Forage Centre of Ex...
Engineering better egg-free ingredients for vegans
Not many research projects involve a kitchen, but that’s what University of Saskatchewan graduate student Yue He has been using to help develop a better egg replacement for making ...
From the ground up
After a successful first year, the University of Saskatchewan’s (USask) Livestock and Forage Centre of Excellence (LFCE) continues to provide unique research opportunities for live...
Striking a balance between the costs and benefits of wetlands
A new research project will look at how to compensate farmers for the costs of keeping wetlands on their properties.
USask team cracks cadmium code in durum wheat
‘Complementary expertise’ key to reducing toxic heavy metal.
Unique chemistry
For an academic with a long-standing interest in carbohydrates, the predominant component in cereal and pulse crops, there may be no better place in the world to conduct research i...
Unearthing agricultural land use on First Nations
Researcher to study land use and soil quality change in order to develop a ‘roadmap’ for First Nations agricultural lands going forward.
Perseverance Farm: The legacy of a grateful alumnus
In 2009, John Hickie mounted a bronze plaque on a large boulder at the entrance to the home quarter on his section of land near Melville, Sask. The plaque pays tribute to pioneerin...
Capt. Sheldon Maerz: Importance of remembrance
Joining the military always felt like a calling for Capt. Sheldon Maerz.
New USask Beef Industry Chair aims to improve sustainability and profitability
Gabriel Ribeiro, the new Saskatchewan Beef Industry Chair at the University of Saskatchewan (USask), will be developing nutritional strategies to improve health, performance and pr...
USask researcher knows breeding more superior pea varieties is more important than ever before
Dr. Tom Warkentin is excited about the increased interest in pea protein and the increase in pea acreages across western Canada.
Where the wild pigs roam
In 2013, Ruth Aschim—along with 99.9 per cent of the population—was unaware wild pigs were roaming rural Canada.<br/><br/>
Developing more nutritious crops to feed a growing world
Using synchrotron light to analyze new varieties of peas could be faster, more environmentally friendly, and help to nourish underfed populations around the world.
Renowned USask Global Institute for Food Security scientist awarded prestigious international food innovation prize
Leon Kochian, Canada Excellence Research Chair (CERC) at the University of Saskatchewan (Usask), has won the 2019 Arrell Global Food Innovation Award for “global excellence in food...
USask researchers involved in sequencing the pea genome
A six year collaborative project results in a reference guide which will benefit the pea community.
New program opens doors for student start-ups
Five teams were each assigned to explore the business potential of a new USask technology, as part of USask Innovation Enterprise’s summer entrepreneurs program.
USask research study observes plant communities rejuvenated by prescribed burns
Goal to improve habitat quality for bison and other species at risk
USask Prof Moves Bug Lab Across International Border
Moving live insects takes time and precaution.
Dietary restrictions may benefit children with premature aging disease
Eating less may be a key factor for promoting healthy aging and for slowing down progeria, an irreversible disease that makes children age eight time faster than normal.
Leon Kochian: world-renowned research
He is one of the world’s most highly cited researchers, a member of the Agricultural Research Service Hall of Fame, and has been named to Reuters’ list of the World’s Most Influent...
USask-led research teams awarded $24.2M from Genome Canada and partners to improve agriculture through genomic science
Wheat, lentils and livestock will be the focus of a $24.2-million investment over four years by Genome Canada and its partners in three University of Saskatchewan-led research proj...
Remarkable tenure for USask AgBio professor
Take a moment to turn back time 50 years to 1969: Pierre Trudeau was prime minister and Justin Trudeau hadn’t been born yet, astronauts landed on the moon for the first time, the S...
USask-led group awarded $1.65 M to train young scientists for expanding plant protein industry
An interdisciplinary university group led by University of Saskatchewan researcher Michael Nickerson has been awarded $1.65 million by the federal granting council NSERC to train a...
Large crowd gathers for first annual summer field day for producers
Facts, friends and food - and lots of each – combined for a hugely successful first annual summer field day for producers at the Livestock and Forage Centre of Excellence.
USask graduate student earns international award
Deeksha Shetty came to the University of Saskatchewan (USask) to earn her master’s degree, and leaves as the winner of one of the most prestigious agriscience research competitions...
USask research receives funding to restore Indigenous geographic place names
Network of Centres of Excellence of Canada has awarded Dr. Colin Laroque (PhD), professor in the College of Agriculture and Bioresources, $36,000 through the Canadian Mountain Netw...
$1.25M awarded to innovative USask early career researchers
Five University of Saskatchewan early career researchers have each been awarded $250,000 over two years by the New Frontiers in Research Fund, a new federal fund designed to promot...
Wild pigs invade Canadian provinces—an emerging crisis for agriculture and the environment
Wild pigs—a mix of wild boar and domestic swine—are spreading rapidly across Canada, threatening native species such as nesting birds, deer, agricultural crops, and farm livestock,...
USask’s Hort Week celebrates 34 years
Gardeners and plant aficionados of all kinds will descend on the city during the 34th annual University of Saskatchewan (USask) Hort Week, beginning May 4.
USask crop scientists help crack the durum wheat genome
University of Saskatchewan (USask) researchers played a key role in an international consortium that has sequenced the entire genome of durum wheat—the source of semolina for pasta...
Barley breeding makes for crafty collaboration
When it comes to brewing better beer, most lager lovers might not think to raise a glass in salute to the University of Saskatchewan (USask).
Why agricultural groups fiercely oppose the carbon tax
When the Pan-Canadian Approach to Pricing Carbon Pollution was announced in October 2016, it was met with passionate responses, from supporters and those in opposition.
USask professor honoured for river rescue
An associate professor in the University of Saskatchewan (USask) College of Agriculture and Bioresources is being honoured in Ottawa for pulling a woman out of the South Saskatchew...
USask students poised for career success, thanks to new RBC-funded program
The University of Saskatchewan (USask) has announced a donation from RBC Foundation to help students develop professional skills, prepare for the demands of the workforce and trans...
USask awarded CFI funding to research new antibiotics and food products
Two researchers at the University of Saskatchewan (USask) have been awarded a total of $274,119 by the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) to buy equipment crucial to studies in...
Benefits of pulses: Good for you and the planet
An illogical revolution has swept the Canadian Prairies and can take over the world. Farmland is now never rested — it is planted and harvested every year — and yet soil health has...
USask Fruit Breeders Receive Prestigious Horticulture Award
Bob Bors and Rick Sawatzky, fruit breeders with the Department of Plant Sciences, College of Agriculture and Bioresources, are the joint recipients of the prestigious Stevenson Awa...
USask research turning ethanol waste into Alzheimer meds, industrial products
A University of Saskatchewan research team’s quest to extract protein from more than a billion litres of annually produced wastewater (called thin stillage) at Saskatchewan’s ethan...
Wheat Congress to put USask in the spotlight
There’s something innately calming about the sight of golden wheat swaying in the breeze. And yet, for someone like University of Saskatchewan (USask) researcher Dr. Curtis Pozniak...
USask researchers awarded $3.4M for projects to mitigate greenhouse gases in agriculture
SASKATOON – University of Saskatchewan (USask) researchers in the College of Agriculture and Bioresources, the School of Environment and Sustainability (SENS), and the Global Insti...
Big on beef, passionate for poultry
They are both passionate about animal welfare and about research advancements to improve the agriculture industry.
Collaborative research is the key to the LFCE
The newest kid on the block for researchers at the University of Saskatchewan is a world-class facility that brings together under one roof all aspects of raising livestock in a su...
Collaborative research is the key to the LFCE
The newest kid on the block for researchers at the University of Saskatchewan is a world-class facility that brings together under one roof all aspects of raising livestock in a su...
U of S professor earns U.S. award for undergraduate mentorship
University of Saskatchewan environmental scientist Colin Laroque was recognized today with an international award for his dedication to providing innovative and high-quality resear...