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By Alice McFarlane

Agriculture Roundup

Agriculture Roundup for Tuesday June 16, 2020

Jun 16, 2020 | 10:27 AM

The federal government has launched the $50 million Surplus Food Rescue Program.

The goal is to move surplus food commodities like potatoes and meat through the food system as efficiently as possible to help vulnerable Canadians.

The closure of the restaurant and hospitality industry left surpluses of food and the increased demand from grocery stores was not able to clear the inventory before it spoiled. The pandemic also increased the demand for food from food banks.

Eligible applicants include for-profit and not-for-profit organizations to acquire, process, transport and ensure shelf-life stability of surplus commodities and delivery to organizations serving vulnerable populations.

Information on the application process is available through the Surplus Food Rescue Program.

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Weather is expected to drive demand for Canadian durum for the remainder of the year.

The SaskWheat market outlook said export sales for durum will remain strong into the summer and for the next crop year.

Dry conditions in the Middle East and North Africa region will result in smaller domestic crops, leading to higher imports. Morocco is exempting wheat import taxes as they need to buy at least 5.8 million metric tonnes of wheat and durum.

The report also indicated wheat imports to Tunisia may increase by 33 per cent.

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The University of Saskatchewan’s Crop Development Centre (CDC) has a new director.

Dr. Curtis Pozniak has been a faculty member of the College of Agriculture and Bioresources since 2003. He leads an extensive research program and has released 15 new varieties since 2003.

Pozniak has been recognized as a leader in the application of wheat genomics to cultivar improvement with more than 140 published research papers.

He will replace Dr. Pierre Hucl who has served as interim director since January 2020.

Pozniak begins a five-year term on July 1.

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alice.mcfarlane@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @AliceMcF