Tipsheet
May 2004
Important CAIS Deadlines Extended
Two important deadlines for the new Canadian Agricultural Income Stabilization, or CAIS program, have been extended. To join CAIS for 2003 and 2004, producers must respond to their Options Notices by June 30, 2004. Producers should join the program, if they experienced a loss in 2003, as they may be eligible for benefits. Producers are also urged to sign on for 2004 to protect themselves from any losses they may experience this year. The deadline to submit 2003 CAIS supplementary applications has also been extended. This information must be sent to the CAIS administration by Sept. 30, 2004. These deadline extensions apply only in British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland and Labrador, where the federal government administers the program.
Ellen Funk, (204) 984-5751
Cracking the Code
Code breakers are at work for Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. But this is not espionage. Dr. David Hunter is working to crack the enigma of molecular markers for fire blight resistance. Fire blight is a destructive bacterial disease that can ravage pear orchards and other trees in the family, such as apple, hawthorn and mountain ash. In a three-year project with the University of Guelph, Dr. Hunter has developed a technique to fingerprint desirable germplasm. He is delving into the genetic material from leaf tissue to isolate the DNA which may confer fire blight resistance to new pear cultivars. Once the disease resistant genes are identified, many years of breeding and trials are ahead before a successful cultivar emerges. Canada's pear crop is largely grown in Ontario and British Columbia.
David Hunter, (905) 562-4113
Capturing Market Opportunities
There's a five-year, $240 million program to help ensure Canada's agriculture and agri-food sector is positioned to plan for the future and capture market opportunities. The Advancing Canadian Agriculture and Agri-Food (ACAAF) Program will provide stakeholders the means to identify and address current and emerging issues. The ACAAF will continue the CARD fund's cooperative contributions to projects at the national, multi-regional and regional level that will help advance the Canadian sector. National initiatives will be delivered by national industry organizations while the 14 industry-led councils across Canada will continue to deliver initiatives at the provincial and territorial level. Details on how to apply, as well as downloadable electronic versions of the application form, and contact information for the industry-led councils have been posted at www.agr.gc.ca/acaaf.
Director, Adaptation Division, (613) 759-6175
Following Nature's Way
Nature offers her own economical solutions to challenges encountered by farmers growing a number of crops. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada research teams are studying organic soil amendments to improve soil health, control plant diseases, and minimize fungicide use in the control of disease outbreaks. Manures, plant by-products (ie. grain glutens), and organic by-products from the fish, food processing and ethanol (corn) industries are being investigated. Some amendments decrease potato scab, black scurf and verticillium wilt. Others increase marketable potato yield, are natural fertilizers, and have potential in organic transplant production. Liquid swine manure fertilizer also has the potential to control diseases in low-pH soil. Research continues to formulate products, bolster disease suppression and expand testing to include more diseases.
Gary Whitfield, (519) 738-2251