10 Story Idea? Email Paul.Nolan@Farms.com Better Farming | February 2024 Beyond the Barn USASK RESEARCH IMPROVES LOCAL FOOD SECURITY A recent project at University of Saskatchewan’s College of Agriculture and Bioresources uses agricultural research to address food security locally. USask has collaborated with the Global Institute for Food Security (GIFS), Saskatchewan Food Industry Development Centre, the Regina Food Bank and the Saskatoon Food Bank & Learning Centre to create Farm2Kitchen soup mix products. The project, led by USask researcher Dr. Michael Nickerson, aims to produce an affordable and nutritious soup using crops grown locally in Saskatchewan. Nickerson is applying results from his previous work investigating the protein quality of pulse and cereal crops. The prior study also investigated the best methods for processing the crops as food aid products in Ethiopia. The knowledge Nickerson gained from his work creating high-quality and enriched food products for Ethiopia will now be applied creating meal options for local families in need. “The Regina Food Bank states that one in five Saskatchewan children are food insecure,” reports a USask release. The packages of soup will use Saskatchewan-grown oats and lentils, with each package making four to five cups of soup. The project created 15,000 packages to be distributed in food hampers. “Saskatchewan is known for its rich agricultural resources and for producing high quality crops to feed the world and for coming together to support our communities. Food security is a worldwide issue and there are families in Canada and in Saskatchewan that face significant challenges to put food on the table,” said Nickerson. “Our research into blending and enhancing the nutritional profiles of lentils and oats provided an opportunity to collaborate and develop a nutritious meal option to support families in Saskatchewan.” BF Statistics Canada recently shared that production of wheat, canola, barley, and oats decreased in 2023. Production of corn and soybeans increased compared to 2022. In the December release, StatCan reported on crop production from January to November of 2023. In the report, it was proposed that the reduction in crop production for wheat, canola, barley, and oats could be attributed to the drier growing conditions observed in the Prairies during 2023. This resulted in lower yields, but also contributed to improved harvest conditions. Total wheat production was reduced by 6.9 per cent, for a total of 32 million tonnes. Yields were lower by 12.1 per cent, averaging 44.5 bushels per acre. Total harvested area was greater by 6.4 per cent at 14 million acres. Alberta wheat yields were reported to be 44.7 bushels per acre, while Saskatchewan had yields of 37.5 bushels per acre, and Manitoba harvested 57.8 bushels per acre. Canola yields decreased by 4.9 per cent to an average 34.8 bushels per acre. A total of 9.7 million tonnes were harvested in 2023, a two per cent decrease relative to 2022. Saskatchewan had the greatest decrease in yields, by 8.4 per cent to an average 34.8 bushels per acre. Barley yields fell 12.9 per cent to 61.3 bushels per acre, resulting in a decrease in total production. Canadian farms grew 8.9 million tonnes of barley in 2023, a 10.9 per cent decrease from 2022. Oat production also decreased from 2022, dropping 49.6 per cent. The lowest oat production in a decade is the result of decreased harvested area and reduced yields. High harvested area in 2022 likely led to the 41.3 per cent reduction in harvested acres in 2023. Yields decreased by 14 per cent to 84.1 bushels per acre. In Eastern Canada, adequate rainfall allowed for improved yields, increasing the overall production of grain corn and soybeans. BF - Emily Croft CROP PRODUCTION DECREASED IN 2023 Tracy Miller photo
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