In the news
NEWS BITES THAT MATTER
New Industrial Research Chair in Biomaterials
The creation of a new $3 million Senior Industrial Research Chair focusing on Biomaterials was recently announced. Over $1.5 million in new Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) funding was matched with over $1 miliion from Elevance Renewable Sciences and a $500,000 investment by one of Grain Farmers of Ontario’s heritage organizations — the Ontario Soybean Growers — will fund the new position which was awarded to Dr. Suresh Narine.
Dr. Narine is the director of Trent Biomaterials Research Program as well as a professor of physics, astronomy and chemistry. “Our research offers an alternative solution – to employ agriculturally-sourced renewable feed stocks (fats and oils) to design functional materials more environmentally benign and more in sync with the natural carbon cycle so as to abate and combat climate change,” said Dr. Narine, who was recruited to Trent from the University of Alberta in September, 2009. “It is research that is both timely and necessary.
On behalf of my team of researchers and Trent University, I would like to offer our deep appreciation to NSERC and our generous founding industrial partners whose match investments are strategically placing Trent’s Biomaterials Research Program among one of the top facilities of its kind in the world.”
GFO’s Manager of Research and Market Development, Crosby Devitt, was on hand for the annoucement. “The Grain Farmers of Ontario is an organization that represents 28,000 Ontario farmers. One of our strategic priorities is to facilitate the development of new high-value markets for soybeans,” said Devitt. “We are delighted that NSERC has matched our major investment in the Trent University Biomaterials Program, and we know that this NSERC investment will help Dr. Narine and his team to expedite the development of new bioproducts which use soybean oil as the raw material.” •
GFO launches RMP calculator
Grain Farmers of Ontario recently launched an online Risk Management Program (RMP) calculator that allows growers to measure how the program will assess their farm’s 2010 production under a range of price scenarios.
Although the deadline for entering RMP has passed, the calculator also allows growers to enter an expected post-harvest price to run potential post-harvest scenarios. The post-harvest prices for corn and soybeans are the daily average for Chatham delivery from October 2010 through to March 2011. The winter wheat post-harvest price is calculated from July to December 2010 using a weighted average daily price from a range of buyers, including GFO (wheat board), terminals and elevators.
“The goal of RMP has always been predictability and bankability and GFO wants to ensure that aspect of the program is fulfilled in a comprehensive and accessible format,” says Erin Fletcher, Manager, Public Affairs and Communications for GFO.
The RMP calculator is available on the GFO website at www.gfo.ca/rmp. Additional information about RMP can be obtained from Agricorp online at www.agricorp.com or by phone at 1-888-247-4999. •
Nominations open for Ontario’s Outstanding Young Farmer
Nominations are now open for the 2011 Ontario’s Outstanding Young Farmers’ Program. Nominees may be individuals, partners or couples who derive a minimum of two-thirds of their gross revenue from farming and are under the age of 40 as of January 1 in the year of competition.
Celebrating its 31st year, Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers’ program is an annual competition to recognize young farmers who exemplify excellence in their profession and promote the tremendous contribution of agriculture and rural Canada.
OOYF is proudly sponsored by Pioneer Hi-Bred Limited, TD Canada Trust, Syngenta, Better Farming, Conservation Ontario, the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and GROWMARK.
The national competition is sponsored by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Bayer Crop Science, CIBC and John Deere.
Nomination forms can be downloaded from the OOYF website at www.oyfontario.ca and must be received by December 15, 2010. •
