The federal government has invested over $5 million to spur growth and resilience in the barley sector.  Photo: InnaTarasenko/iStock/Getty Images Plus

Funding boost announced for barley research in Western Canada

The federal government has invested over $5 million into the barley sector, aimed at creating more resilient varieties that can handle climate change. Federal Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Lawrence MacAulay on June 12 announced $5,257,073 earmarked for the Canadian Barley Research Coalition. The funding echoes similar announcements for research clusters dedicated to commodities like canola […] Read more




University of Alberta researcher Ehsan Feizollahi helped test the use of cold plasma to decontaminate grains.

Plasma shows promise against fusarium-formed toxins

The fourth state of matter could someday be put to work at a malt house or feedlot near you

Researchers at the University of Alberta are harnessing a high-tech concept to decontaminate grain. They’re using cold plasma, which is created by electrical discharge in a low-pressure gas. One of the most common uses is in fluorescent lighting, which creates light with little heat. Cold plasma is the fourth state of matter, alongside solid, liquid […] Read more