By Alice McFarlane

Agriculture Roundup for Thursday January 21, 2021

Jan 21, 2021 | 10:06 AM

MELFORT, Sask. – The Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM) is disappointed the Keystone XL Pipeline project has been suspended.

SARM President Ray Orb said adding to the disappointment is the federal government is not pushing hard enough to convince U.S. President Biden of the benefits of the pipeline.

Orb said it is another blow to the Canadian economy and will adversely affect the Saskatchewan economy and rural municipalities.

“The Keystone XL Pipeline was an opportunity for a long-term stabilized energy supply from Canada to the United States,” Orb said. “An economic recovery requires support for projects like Keystone that advance the economic competitiveness of our province and provide economic stimulus for rural municipalities.”

The project was expected to create over 1,000 short-term jobs during construction and generate an estimated $2.97 million in additional annual property taxes to municipalities along the right-of-way in Saskatchewan.

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A Regina company is the first to register for a continuous improvement project focused on pulse sustainability.

Avena Foods has joined Field to Market Canada to gather and analyze data from growers to assess and improve on sustainability and regenerative practices.

The first project will study the areas of land-use efficiency, soil conservation, greenhouse gas emissions, energy use and soil carbon.

The initiative makes Avena the first company within Field to Market Canada’s membership to register a Continuous Improvement Project.

Avena vice-president Margaret Hughes said many farmers understand the sustainability benefits of growing pulses and oats in their crop rotation.

“This partnership offers us the opportunity to ensure these benefits are more widely understood by documenting and demonstrating improved sustainability outcomes that benefit farmers and the environment alike,” she said.

Avena Foods is a specialty miller of gluten-free pulse and purity protocol oat ingredients for food, pet food, and nutraceutical manufacturers.

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The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) is ready to work with the new administration.

NASDA congratulated President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris on their inauguration and committed to work with them on advancing agriculture policy.

NASDA CEO Dr. Barb Glenn said as the U.S. begins navigating COVID-19 response the organization is committed to building partnerships to guarantee the food supply chain remains strong.

“We are ready to work with the Biden Administration to advance agriculture domestically and internationally, while ensuring America recovers from the pandemic,” Glenn said in a news release.

NASDA has identified food systems and food safety, infrastructure and capacity, climate resiliency, international trade and workforce development as policy priorities.

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alice.mcfarlane@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @AliceMcF