January 22, 2014 – Beaverlodge, Alberta – Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
On behalf of Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz, Parliamentary Secretary Pierre Lemieux and MP Chris Warkentin (Peace River) today announced an investment of over $923,000 to the Peace Region Forage Seed Association (PRFSA) which will improve seed production and quality, as well as the economic and environmental sustainability of crops within Canada. These improvements will deliver more value to producers and help meet the growing demand for forage seed both domestically and internationally.
Under this project, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada researchers will collaborate with industry on a number of activities to help the sector. Research will be done on how incorporating forage seed production within annual crop rotations can increase value for producers; evaluating the seed yield potential of forage and turf grass varieties in western Canada, and examining ways to increase the quality of grass and legume seed crops in Canada.
Today’s investment is made through Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s AgriInnovation Program, a five-year, up to $698-million initiative under Growing Forward 2. The Program’s industry-led research and development stream supports pre-commercialization research, development and knowledge transfer leading to innovative agriculture, agri-food, and agri-based practices, processes, and products.
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Jeff English
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Gerry Ritz
613-773-1059
