Yorkton, Saskatchewan, has taken a significant step in agricultural research thanks to a $60,400 grant from the Western Grains Research Foundation (WGRF) Accelerating Capacity Initiative. Suncrest College, in partnership with the East Central Research Foundation (ECRF), has utilized these funds to elevate their crop research capabilities.
The investment facilitated the construction of a sample dryer and the acquisition of a truck and weigh wagon. Blair Cherneski, ECRF chairperson and local farmer, emphasizes the impact of this funding. "The new equipment has expanded our trial capacity. This benefits not just our research farm but local producers as well," he notes.
Mike Hall, ECRF research coordinator, elaborates on the new additions. A shipping container was transformed into an efficient sample dryer, equipped with perforated shelves and an electric furnace. This dryer has already proven invaluable, allowing the team to dry a wide range of plant materials, from forage to grain crop tissue samples.
Previously dependent on other sites for drying samples, the ECRF team can now expedite this process, eliminating the risk of plant material decay during transit. The new truck and weigh wagon have also enhanced field work efficiency, making plot work more effective.
Beyond the WGRF-funded equipment, the ECRF has also invested in new seed cleaning tools, a dump trailer, custom bleachers for plot tours, and video equipment. This has enabled them to share their findings more broadly, with their YouTube channel garnering over 27,000 views, increasing public engagement and media coverage.
The ECRF, a non-profit organization, conducts essential crop production research in east central Saskatchewan. Since forming a partnership with Parkland College in 2013, which became Suncrest College in 2023, they have effectively pooled resources to drive agricultural research forward.
The WGRF, a farmer-funded organization, supports such initiatives to benefit western Canadian producers. With over $240 million invested in diverse crop research projects and a commitment of $32 million to the Accelerating Capacity Initiative, the WGRF is pivotal in enhancing crop research capacities.
This investment in Yorkton symbolizes a significant step towards advanced agricultural research, directly impacting local farmers and the broader agricultural community. It showcases a commitment to innovation and practical solutions in the face of evolving agricultural challenges.
For more insights into this development and its implications for the farming community, interested readers can explore related resources and updates.