Saskatchewan Pulse Growers (SPG) says it has licensed the distribution rights for select newer pea, lentil and chickpea varieties outside of Saskatchewan to SeCan and SeedNet. Since 1997, SPG has funded the pulse breeding program at the University of Saskatchewan’s Crop Development Centre (CDC) in exchange for commercial rights to pulse crop varieties developed at… Read More
Tag: Secan
More than $140,000 over the past three years. That’s the latest tally for SeCan’s ongoing ‘Grow a Leader’ program that sees the seed company contribute $1 for every unit of soybean seed purchased by grower customers during its ‘early order’ week in October. SeCan communications manager Brenda Trask explains that the program is based on… Read More
Maintaining public trust in the way food is produced has become a top priority, not just for farmers, but for the entire agriculture sector, including the seed industry. “Right through the whole value chain, we have to get involved. We’re a small sector in Canada now…and to have our voice heard against the activists who… Read More
Canada’s largest distributor of certified seed is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. Likely ahead of its time in bringing together industry, universities, government and producer partners, the not-for-profit member association known as SeCan was started in 1976. “The roots are tied very closely to the Canadian Seed Growers Association — seed growers, seed trade,… Read More
SeCan says it has reached a $150,000 settlement with a farm near Moose Jaw, Sask. regarding unauthorized sales of flax and durum varieties protected by Plant Breeders’ Rights legislation. Harvey Marcil of Pasqua Farms has agreed to the cash settlement and a declaration that there will be no additional unauthorized sales. The case involved CDC… Read More
A pair of major wheat research announcements coincided with the Saskatchewan Wheat Development Commission’s annual general meeting in Saskatoon on Wednesday. Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister Lyle Stewart announced $1.5 million for six projects through the Canadian Wheat Alliance. Industry and government partners from across the prairies are also contributing $1.7 million to the genetic and agronomic… Read More
After a 41 year career with Agriculture & Agri-Food Canad, and building his reputation as a world-class wheat breeder, Dr. Ron DePauw has joined SeCan in the position of Science Advisor. DePauw recently retired from AAFC, a career marked by the successful breeding of prairie-farm-staple AC Barrie. DePauw was also a co-developer of AC Lillian,… Read More
This week, October 13 to 20, 2014, SeCan celebrates its second year of the Grow a Leader program to support 4-H in Canada. For every bag of selected varieties of soybean seed farmers buy this week, SeCan will donate $1 to 4-H Canada. According to Jeff Reid, SeCan General Manager, “This is a perfect opportunity… Read More
By Karen Lewis As farmers across the central U.S. corn belt scramble to prevent the spread of western corn rootworm resistance to Bt corn, Prairie wheat growers are being urged to be diligent in their stewardship efforts to protect midge tolerant wheat technology. “Resistance to corn rootworm technology is really a cautionary tale for Prairie… Read More
The number of acres committed to identity-preserved (IP) soybean production in Ontario has dwindled in recent years, but 2014 will likely reverse that trend, as lower commodity prices make the IP premium more attractive. But where will IP soybean acres end up? How big of a jump could Ontario see? What’s seed supply and contract… Read More