The Canary Seed Development Commission of Saskatchewan or CSDCS is hosting their annual general meeting on December 12th in Saskatoon at the Saskatoon Inn, recapping the year of canary seed in 2024 and looking ahead to the future. They will conduct a short business meeting, then presentations with activities designed to promote Canary seed (alpiste) into the human food market.
The meeting will be looking at the impact and development of canary management options such as fungicides, insecticides, seed varieties and plant growth regulators, and a market outlook for 2025 with special guest Chuck Penner of LeftField Commodity Research. Darren Yungmann, executive director with the CSDCS, is excited to recap the growth of canary seed over the years, and what’s next.
“The main focus of the commissions is just improving the varieties and economics of the crops. So, we've been working with the Crop Development Center in Saskatoon at the University (of Saskatchewan) getting better varieties and working with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada working with a variety of different economic things regarding Canary seeds like proper fertilization, insect control, fungicides, and more recently plant growth regulators.”
These vast improvements in Canary seed management over the years have brought a once niche and difficult crop to grow and harvest, into a viable option for many producers heading into the 2025 Spring. While Canary seed is mainly grown for bird feed, Yungmann states that recent developments have looked to bring Canary seed into the human food market.
“Back in 2016, Canary (seed) became approved for human consumption in Canada and the United States, and we've been doing a lot of work since to get it into a product as an ingredient. It's high in protein, it's got a healthy oil profile and is non-gluten. It has been a challenge, but we've been working, hoping to peak some interest on using Canary seed as a food ingredient to try and get it into some sort of product in the market.”
The CSDCS is welcoming all producers and people in the agriculture industry to attend in person at the Saskatoon Inn on December 12th. Online registration is live at www.cropweek.com or those interested in attending may call the CSDCS office at 306-975-6624. Those unable to attend in person have the option of participating via Zoom. Whether attending in person or virtually, pre-registration is required by the end of December 6th, 2024. For more information regarding the AGM or Canary seed, visit their website at www.canaryseed.ca.