Ottawa Invests in Mustard, Sunflower Seed Industries

May 13, 2014

By Amanda Brodhagen, Farms.com

Canadian mustard and sunflower seed growers received support from the federal government to increase export sales abroad.

Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz made the $230,000 funding announcement to the Canadian Special Crops Association (CSCA). In a release it says the money will help boost international trade efforts.

"The multi-year Agri-Marketing funding will enable Canada's special crops industry to deliver innovative, healthy and sustainable foods consistently and reliably to markets around the world,” Gordon Bacon, CEO of the Canadian Special Crops Association said in a release.

Specifically, the industry will focus on two projects directed by the Saskatchewan Mustard Development Commission and the National Sunflower Association of Canada. The initiative purpose is to improve variety options for mustard and sunflower seeds, focusing on health and nutritional benefits.

According to the release, the Canadian pulse and special crop industry had an export value of more than $3 billion in 2013. The investment was made through the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's AgriMarketing Program, offered under the Growing Forward 2 policy framework.

Video: Spring Planting Prep Just Got Serious… We NEED This!

Getting closer to planting season means one thing… it’s time to get EVERYTHING ready.

Today didn’t go exactly as planned—we thought we’d be hauling potatoes again, but instead we spent the day digging equipment out of the cellar, hooking up the grain drill, and getting tractors ready to roll. With wheat planting just around the corner, every piece of equipment matters.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a normal day without a few problems… dead batteries, hydraulic issues, and a truck tire that absolutely refused to cooperate. We tried everything—jump packs, bead bazooka, ratchet straps… and eventually had to bring out the “big guns” just to get things moving again.

But that’s farm life—adapt, fix, and keep moving forward.

We’re getting close to go-time. Wheat seed is coming soon, and planting season is right around the corner