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Agriculture Roundup for Wednesday September 29, 2021

Sep 29, 2021 | 10:06 AM

MELFORT, Sask. – Saskatchewan is considered a biotechnology leader.

The provincial government has declared Sept. 27 to Oct. 3 Biotech Week in Saskatchewan.

Agriculture Minister David Marit said biotechnology helps Saskatchewan’s agriculture industry remain competitive and sustainable.

“Thanks to biotechnology producers have adopted new tools and practices that increase yields, enhance sustainability, prepare farms to handle weather variations and more,” Marit said in a media release.

Marit said roughly one-third of Canada’s agricultural biotechnology sector is in Saskatchewan.

Biotech Week also recognizes the work of researchers in agriculture and the life sciences.

Ag-West Bio President and CEO Karen Churchill said it’s an opportunity to draw attention to what biotechnology brings to society.

“Biotechnology benefits every aspect of our lives. Vaccines, enzyme-based cleaners, improved crop varieties: these are all products of biotechnology,” Churchill said. “It’s a week to celebrate science.”

A Saskatoon horse show has been cancelled due to the rising number of COVID-19 cases in Saskatchewan.

Prairieland Park, the Western College of Veterinary Medicine, and the Saskatchewan Horse Federation, have decided it is no longer appropriate to hold the annual Equine Expo next month.

Organizers said they will focus their attention on planning for 2022 which will be its 10th anniversary show.

Refunds will be issued directly to ticket purchasers and exhibitors of the Saskatchewan Equine Expo.

4-H members from across Canada have been recognized through the Leadership Excellence Awards of Distinction (L.E.A.D.)

4-H Canada created L.E.A.D. to recognize outstanding youth members who show 4-H values in the way they live their lives. The awards honours youth who have become exceptional leaders through their 4-H experience, and who share the best of themselves with their community.

The four winners were selected based on the four pillars of 4-H Canada.

Julia Pitsiaeli of British Columbia was recognized for her work in Community Engagement and Communications, Neleah Lavoie of Prince Edward Island was named under the Science and Technology pillar, the winner under Environment and Health Living was Cally Sample of British Columbia and Jessica Davey of Saskatchewan was acknowledged under the Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security category.

Each L.E.A.D. recipient receives a $20,000 scholarship toward their four-year post-secondary studies.

Recipients are also placed in an ongoing mentorship with an expert from within their field of study.

alice.mcfarlane@pattisonmedia.com

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