Scientific achievements in agriculture archive

Scientific achievements in agriculture

Title	Science strategy	Product type	Teaser hidden column
The mighty few: AAFC researchers proving that fewer chromosomes can produce strong potatoes for Canadian farmers	Horticulture	Article	A field study on diploid potatoes shows promising yields and storage qualities.
Harvesting innovation: the potato vine crusher poised to help farmers grind weeds to a halt	Horticulture	Article	Researchers give an old invention a second chance to help farmers win the weed battle.
Modernizing apple and cherry breeding at Summerland	Horticulture	Article	Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada researchers are using germplasm data to create cherry and apple varieties that work for producers and consumers.
Mapping oat diversity: how AAFC science is unlocking the crop’s genetic secrets	Cereals and pulses	Article	AAFC scientist have helped decode the oat pangenome, unlocking the grain’s full genetic potential.
From soil to sea: researchers and farmers are turning modelling data and crop rotation options into healthier waterways on Prince Edward Island	Agro-ecosystem productivity and health	Article	Living lab collaboration between farmers and researchers model beneficial management practices that reduce nitrogen overloading from soil to waterways.
High voltage weed control: the Weed Zapper has researchers and farmers abuzz with possibilities	Horticulture	Article	AAFC biologist is testing an innovative technology that can destroy weeds using electricity and reduce herbicide-use in agriculture.
Dialing in cattle diets on prairie rangeland	Forages and beef	Article	Livestock farmers in the Atlantic Canada are testing a new variety of alfalfa developed by an AAFC research scientist, Dr. Yousef Papadopoulos.
Livestock farmers testing new AAFC alfalfa variety on Atlantic farms	Forages and beef	Article	Livestock farmers in the Atlantic Canada are testing a new variety of alfalfa developed by an AAFC research scientist, Dr. Yousef Papadopoulos.
Uncorking the flavour with research – Using native yeasts to produce white wine	Horticulture	Article	New research from Kentville RDC finds that native Nova Scotia yeasts can produce white wines with distinctive flavor profiles and 2-3% lower alcohol content compared to commercially available yeasts.
Research helping producers stay ahead of late blight disease with climate change and new disease types lurking	Horticulture	Article	AAFC scientists discover new late blight pathogen genotypes and offer various ways to prevent the disease in tomatoes and potatoes.
The amaranths are coming	Agro-ecosystem productivity and health	Article	Amaranth weeds are coming to the Prairies, and researchers are helping farmers stay a step ahead.
The milky way: AAFC scientist tackling water shortages in Alberta by using a nature-based solution to treat dairy farm wastewater	Dairy, pork, poultry and other livestock	Article	AAFC scientist is constructing a wetland on an Alberta dairy farm to treat wastewater into irrigation water for cattle feed crops.
Shining a light on nitrogen management: prediction modelling to detect nitrogen requirements in potato crops using the spectroradiometer	Horticulture	Article	Dr. Keshav Dahal is developing a prediction model that uses a light-based tool to help potato producers improve their nitrogen management practices, minimize damage to crops, and protect the environment.
Less is more: AAFC researcher sees how salicylic acid cuts down on fungicides use in Honeycrisp apples	Horticulture	Article	AAFC researchers in Nova Scotia uncover how salicylic acid is reducing fungicides applications in Honeycrisp apples.
Vegetables in the North: collaboration, new technologies, and promising potato varieties	Horticulture	Article	Dr. Wheeler, researchers, and farmers discover the value of low tunnel technology and alternative potato varieties to support northern agriculture.
AAFC research proving diploid breeding is more than just small potatoes	Horticulture	Article	AAFC scientists pinpoint disease-resistant genes in diploid potatoes that can assist in the breeding of future common scab disease-resistant potato varieties.
Farmers love them not: AAFC researchers target invasive daisies with a natural ally	Agro-ecosystem productivity and health	Article	Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada researchers are helping fight the daisy invasion with a natural ally.
AAFC scientists using genomics, breeding, and the world’s only dedicated outdoor field research site to address potato wart	Agro-ecosystem productivity and health	Article	More than a dozen scientists are collaborating to address the impacts of a major disease affecting potato producers.
Managing nitrogen use efficiently	Agro-ecosystem productivity and health	Article	Researchers are helping Prairie producers understand nitrogen and its optimal application.
Using digital technologies to increase understanding of plants	Cereals and pulses	Article	Just as with smart farming, remote sensing and digital phenomics can be applied to agricultural research.
Reducing food waste by adding value to a co-product	Bioproducts	Article	By putting science to good use in the circular economy, we found a way to reuse the liquid from cheese production to create a sports drink.
Biomass, biofuels and byproducts on the Prairies	Bioproducts	Article	Whether it be winter camelina or tree biomass as fuel, or value-added products like oat starch or flax mucilage, AAFC researchers in the Prairies are on the bioproduct case!
The IDEA-QC framework was developed by Quebec stakeholders initiated by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada to assess and improve farm sustainability	Agri-food	Article	By painting a portrait of the current situation, identifying possible solutions as a team and developing an action plan, farmers are gaining the tools they need to improve sustainability of their farms.
AAFC research biologist has tips to help Maritime-grown corn outweigh the competition	Cereals and pulses	Article	A recently completed research project provides Maritimes farmers with the missing ingredient for improving corn quality.
Developing a super food, super-fast: how an AAFC scientist is fast-tracking healthier and high yielding lingonberry varieties	Horticulture	Article	Dr. Samir Debnath developed a new micropropagation technique that speeds up the breeding of new berry varieties, like lingonberry.
Networking: It’s not just for social situations – it’s also for prairie crop problems	Horticulture	Article	Through multiple networks, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada scientists are collaborating to provide timely information on Prairie crop pests, including insects, weeds and diseases. It’s all about integrated pest management!
Efficiency unveiled: At-home sensory evaluation tool continues to boost efficiency in AAFC research	Horticulture	Article	AAFC researchers in Nova Scotia have collected 3 years of data proving at-home sensory evaluation is positively changing the small fruit breeding program, saving time, and improving efficiency.
AAFC researchers helping to combat blackheaded fireworm in cranberry	Agro-ecosystem productivity and health	Article	AAFC researcher Dr. Michelle Franklin has a promising new sustainable pest management tool to help cranberry growers combat blackheaded fireworm.
Irrigation in Saskatchewan: a collaborative approach	Agro-ecosystem productivity and health	Article	The Canada-Saskatchewan Irrigation Diversification Centre is a unique partnership involving Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. Their goal is to develop economically and environmentally sustainable irrigation practices. Outlook.
More than scratching the surface: AAFC scientists and farmers achieve the right balance with residue tillage	Horticulture	Article	Living Lab – Atlantic research reveals benefits of residue tillage which disturbs soil less than other tillage methods.
AAFC scientists support development of risk forecasting tool to help Maritime farmers predict arrival of fusarium head blight disease in cereal crops	Horticulture	Article	A new web tool helping farmers take the guesswork out of controlling fusarium head blight.
Turning over a new leaf: tackling tan spot disease in wheat	Cereals and pulses	Article	Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada researchers are working to discover new solutions to protect farmers from a rapidly-emerging threat: tan spot disease in wheat.
"Sea-feed" for beef heifers: AAFC biologist finds seaweed is helping to lower methane emissions in cattle	Forages and beef	Article	Trading feed supplements for seaweed – AAFC researcher in Nappan, Nova Scotia discovers the potential of seaweed to help reduce methane emissions in beef heifers.
Purple power: pigmented potatoes may help reduce inflammation and improve gut health	Agri-food	Article	Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada researchers find strong link between improved gut health and consuming purple potatoes.
Results of the 2020-2023 Living Lab – Quebec Project	Agro-ecosystem productivity and health	Article	Producers, scientists (Etienne Lord, Jean-Philippe Parent, Jacynthe Masse) and stakeholders meet periodically to exchange ideas and learn from each other.
AAFC researchers discover that sorghum Sudan grass increases beneficial microorganisms in soils to reduce fusarium crown and root rot disease	Cereals and pulses	Article	Cover crop research shows their ability to suppress fusarium crown and root rot in barley and soybean crops.
The smell of success: manure and high-residue cover crops can boost potato yields, improve soil health	Agro-ecosystem productivity and health	Article	Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada scientists learn that cover crops mixed with manure provide a good one-two punch for farmers looking to improve soil health and grow more potatoes.
Restoring sweetgrass with W8banaki	Agro-ecosystem productivity and health	Article	Scientists from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada are collaborating with the W8banaki Nation to identify and develop techniques for restoring sweetgrass and its benefits in the agro-ecosystem of the Nation's traditional territory. Their work was initiated during the first Living Lab – Quebec project with the Union des producteurs agricoles.
Canada’s grasslands: Genomic discoveries for a greener tomorrow	Biodiversity and bioresources	Article	Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada scientists are studying grasslands to understand how genetic diversity improves environmental sustainability potentially increasing soil carbon stocks and mitigating greenhouse gas emissions.
Getting into the weeds: AAFC researchers set their sights on the wildest weeds in the West	Agro-ecosystem productivity and health	Article	Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada researchers in the Prairies are working together to find new solutions that help producers win the fight against the most challenging weeds.
The Value of Wetlands (Video)	Agro-ecosystem productivity and health	Video	Dr. Raju Soolanayakanahally explains how wetlands and riparian areas on the prairies provide ecological benefits such as water purification, habitat, increased biodiversity and benefits to farmers such as drought and flood mitigation.
AAFC researchers find stone burier and bed shaper equipment to be a rock-solid investment for Newfoundland farmers	Horticulture	Article	Researchers and farmers are impressed after testing an innovative tiller and bed shaper specifically designed for rocky soils common to Newfoundland.
Would you like fries with that drought resistant potato?	Horticulture	Article	Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) scientists pinpoint drought-resistant genes in diploid potatoes that can assist in the breeding of future drought-resistant potato varieties.
The power of water: Dr. Serban Danielescu’s new tools help farmers optimize water usage for crops	Agro-ecosystem productivity and health	Article	Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and Environment and Climate Change Canada scientist, Dr. Serban Danielescu, launches new hydrology tools to help farmers and water resource professionals worldwide be more environmentally sustainable.
The research partnership between AAFC and the Pye Centre is blossoming new possibilities for Northern agriculture	Agro-ecosystem productivity and health	Article	AAFC and the Pye Centre are growing together for the benefit of Northern agriculture farmers and local communities in Labrador.
3D model to map the fate of Canada’s water in a changing climate	Agro-ecosystem productivity and health	Article	Known as Canada1Water (C1W), the project is Canada’s first 3D model describing the entire water (hydrological) cycle of Canada. It tracks every part; from evaporation and transpiration to precipitation and snowmelt runoff. It will show how water is stored and moved across Canada’s different landscapes, like the Rockies in the west and the Canadian Shield in central Canada. What’s more, the model will predict how the groundwater and surface water could be affected by current and future climate conditions, as well as shifts in land use.
AAFC partners with Nova Scotia farm to test new rinsate treatment system to reduce pesticide residue in the field	Agro-ecosystem productivity and health	Article	Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada scientist, Dr. Erin Smith, and biologist, Dr. Tobias Laengle, collaborate with a farm in Nova Scotia to test the first commercial on-farm biobed in Atlantic Canada.
A recipe for success: Technology, collaboration and legacy in AAFC wheat breeding	Cereals and pulses	Article	Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada researchers create the perfect recipe for wheat breeding in the 21st century.
Oat cuisine: How AAFC science is powering up an ancient grain	Cereals and pulses	Article	Drs. Nicholas Tinker and Wubishet Bekele helped create the world’s first genetic reference map for oats, opening new opportunities for this incredibly diverse crop.
Researchers protect environment, human and animal health with natural capital	Agro-ecosystem productivity and health	Article	Who says you can’t have it all? Researchers from many departments and agencies have teamed up to create sustainable solutions using natural features on agricultural landscapes that not only benefit farmers, but environmental, human and animal health as well.
Larger rootstocks prove fruitful in growing a more climate resilient apple	Agro-ecosystem productivity and health	Article	Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada researcher Dr. Hao Xu and her team have discovered that large rootstocks can aid in alleviating heat stress and reducing sunburn damage in apple crops.
Tiny tech tackles big problems: Cutting-edge nanotechnology helps producers battle their greatest foes	Agro-ecosystem productivity and health	Article	Imagine if you could design a customized crop treatment program that targets the specific pests that are present in your field – with less spraying.
Secret sauce: berries show potential to improve gut health and prevent gut-borne diseases in chickens	Agri-food	Article	An Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada research scientist has made a series of discoveries that show potential for cranberries and blueberries to help manage gut-borne diseases in chickens.
Lingonberries: A promising crop (Video)	Agri-food	Video	Our very own Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada research scientists at the Morden Research and Development Centre in Manitoba are learning more and more about lingonberries and have high hopes for this promising crop. Learn about its health benefits and cultivation.
Treating strawberries with ultraviolet rays makes them just as tasty, but more disease resistant	Horticulture	Article	Scientist Marie Thérèse Charles of the Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu Research and Development Center has carried out research to treat strawberry diseases using UV-C rays. This viable alternative to pesticides could have a major beneficial impact on greenhouse production.
Three new strawberry varieties to watch for this season	Horticulture	Article	After almost a decade of research, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada researcher Dr. Beatrice Amyotte and her team release three new strawberry varieties. Dive into the research behind breeding these delicious berries.
Biofilm discoveries help AAFC research scientists fight back against the harmful bacteria and viruses behind foodborne illnesses	Agri-food	Article	An Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada research team has discovered how harmful bacteria behave in communities called "biofilms" that can live on the surfaces of food processing facilities.
Pest Detective: How AAFC is using pest monitoring data to model climate change impacts	Agro-ecosystem productivity and health	Article	Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada researcher Dr. Meghan Vankosky is using historic and current data to map out and model the impacts of climate change on western Canada's most wanted pest populations.
Yield Enhancement Network continuing to harvest yield growth and "ingrain" competitive spirit for Maritimes cereal farmers	Increasing agricultural productivity	Article	The Yield Enhancement Network marks the end of its fourth growing season with year-over-year yield increases and optimism for the future of the initiative and industry.
Cow Patty Critters: A new guide on Canada's faecal friends	Agro-ecosystem productivity and health	Article	Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada researcher Dr. Kevin Floate has developed the first comprehensive guide to discover and understand the faecal friends that provide big bug benefits.
Taking a walk on the wild side: How AAFC Scientists are using genetics to help Canada's wood bison	Biodiversity and bioresources	Article	Scientists with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada are taking a walk on the wild side by providing their expertise in genetic research and biodiversity to conserve Canada's wood bison population. This research is not only good for the wild population, but could also lead to discoveries that can be applied in the agricultural industry.
Shining a Spotlight on Millet	Cereals and pulses	Article	The FAO has declared 2023 the "International Year of Millets" and to mark the occasion AAFC is sharing some of the research on millet being done across the country.
Maritimes wild hops (Video)	Horticulture	Article	Prince Edward Island Research Scientist, Dr. Jason McCallum, is studying wild hops from the Maritimes and developing the best varieties into viable crops for producers and the craft brewing industry in Atlantic Canada. The project is continuing its experimentation but it's already turning heads in the brewing industry.
Digitization unlocks millions of data points for biodiversity	Biodiversity and bioresources	Article	A six-year, $30-million digitization project unlocks data from millions of plant and insect specimens.
Instruments to help measure the apple of the market's eye	Horticulture	Article	Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada researcher Dr. Masoumeh Bejaei is looking into ways to measure human perception of apples with the help of instruments.
A new take on an old invention could help potato farmers crush the weed competition	Horticulture	Article	Every so often, an invention intended for one use evolves into something different and the resulting impact is far greater than its original purpose.
Better together: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) cultivates a collaborative approach to save good crops from bad pests	Agro-ecosystem productivity and health	Article	Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada researchers establish the Prairie Biovigilance Network to cultivate a collaborative approach to protecting good crops from bad pests.
Canada's weed hunters set their sights on natural alternatives to herbicides	Agro-ecosystem productivity and health	Article	Scientists are studying abrasive or projectile weed control on several high-value crops, aiming to help farmers reduce use of herbicides.
Lights, Colour, Nutrients! LEDs play a starring role in improving nutritional quality of plants	Agro-ecosystem productivity and health	Article	Using more amber and blue LED lights and fewer red lights shown to improve nutritional quality of greenhouse-grown microgreens.
AAFC green processing technology turns canola oil into richer source of Vitamin E	Agro-ecosystem productivity and health	Article	Environmental friendly processing technologies used to extract Vitamin E from canola seeds for enhanced canola oil and other future health and medical uses.
How to transform livestock waste into products of economic and ecological value	Dairy, pork, poultry and other livestock	Article	Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada scientists are using a new biomethanation facility to degrade organic matter through fermentation. This unique process converts manure, slurry and other livestock waste into bioenergy and bioproducts with economic and ecological value for livestock farms.
Improve food conservation in Canada's distribution chain	Agri-food	Article	AAFC scientists have developed predictive tools to help reduce food waste in Canada. Their modelling will identify food refrigeration and distribution weaknesses in order to improve food management systems across the country.
Biochar can turn plant waste into healthy soils and improve the environment	Agro-ecosystem productivity and health	Article	Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada scientists study a unique charcoal-like material called "biochar" as a soil amendment and discover its positive effect on soil health and the environment.
The Three Sisters: Optimizing the value and food potential of an ancestral indigenous crop system	Agro-ecosystem productivity and health	Article
Living Lab - Quebec, an inspiring example of winning collaboration	Agri-food	Article
UV-C Light Increases Vitamin D in Mushrooms	Agri-food	Article
Drought outlook the first of its kind in Canada to provide 30-day glimpse into future drought conditions	Agro-ecosystem productivity and health	Article
Yield Enhancement Network grows to new heights in second year	Cereals and pulses	Article	In 2020, the innovative Yield Enhancement Network expanded its reach across the Maritimes to more than 55 grain producers working together alongside researchers to achieve higher yields.
Vegetables in the North: AAFC, Government of Yukon and farmers in northern Canada are researching food production together	Horticulture	Article	Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada researchers collaborate with Government of Yukon researchers and a Labrador farmer to find ways to increase crop production in northern Canadian communities.
AAFC Scientists Earn International Accolades for Children’s Book on Soil Science	Biodiversity and bioresources	Article	Two AAFC scientists (Ben Ellert and Katelyn Lutes) have achieved international recognition in what might seem like an unexpected category: a children's book contest.
Finding the right genes to flatten potato common scab disease	Agri-food	Article	Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada researchers discover genes that likely differentiate Green Mountain and Hindenburg potato varieties and that might be responsible for common scab resistance in some varieties of potatoes.
Lingonberries: Good for Your Heart, Good for Your Kidneys, Good for Your Liver and Good for Agriculture	Agri-food	Article	Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada scientists are working in partnership to prove the health benefits of lingonberries and make it easier for producers to grow it.
Antibiotic resistant gene discovered but berries may be a solution	Agro-ecosystem productivity and health	Article	Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada researchers discovered a new antibiotic resistant gene that is making a common antibiotic less powerful, but berries may hold the solution.
Space: Agriculture from a new stellar vantage point	Agro-ecosystem productivity and health	Article	Canadian Space Agency launches RADARSAT-Constellation Mission satellites. Find out what's in it for agriculture.
Strange brew: Maritimes wild hops could provide unique flavours to brewing industry	Horticulture	Article	Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada researchers discover characteristics in the chemistry of Maritimes wild hops that could be attractive to the brewing industry.
Using genomics to understand antimicrobial resistance	Agro-ecosystem productivity and health	Article	Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada researchers lead a collaboration aimed at detecting antimicrobial resistance.
Maple syrup flavour research	Agro-ecosystem productivity and health	Article