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AG e-news June 25, 2020

June 26, 2020 — 

News and events from the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences

UPCOMING EVENTS

Monday, June 29 – Join us for a day of Convocation celebration! First, at 11:30 am, graduates, friends, family and the public are invited to watch the official University of Manitoba Convocation session which will include the School of Agriculture and the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences. At 6:00 pm, the Dean will be hosting a virtual interactive celebration for grads. At 7:30 pm, the School of Agriculture will hold a Virtual Graduation Celebration for the Diploma Class of 2020 which will be livestreamed on YouTube and Facebook and feature special guests, musical performers and Diploma grads themselves.  More details and links to events at https://news.umanitoba.ca/join-us-for-agricultural-and-food-sciences-convocation-celebrations/.

The Bruce D. Campbell Farm and Food Discovery Centre continues with its weekly resource sharing, whether it is one of their adapted field trip activities or a partner organization resource. You and your your young learners will find lots of hands-on fun, from making the FFDC signature bread to butter-in-a-jar to home composting. Visit (and like) their Facebook page to see all the updates – https://www.facebook.com/FarmandFoodDiscoveryCentre.

 

STAFF AND STUDENT NEWS

The Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences sadly reports the passing of Jim McNair, a prominent alumnus who passed away June 6, 2020. Jim was a Diploma in Agriculture graduate from 1957 who farmed in the Carman area and was active in his community. Many of his family also attended (or are currently attending) the Faculty. Read his obituary at https://passages.winnipegfreepress.com/passage-details/id-273482/MACNAIR_JAMES.

Alumni JoAnne Buth and Marcel Hacault have been selected as the recipients of the 2020 Certificate of Merit, presented by the Faculty for outstanding contributions to their communities. Read more at https://news.umanitoba.ca/agricultural-and-food-sciences-alumni-honoured-for-their-contributions/.

University Manitoba Bisons and plant biotetchnology student Kelsey Wog has been awarded the 2020 Lieutenant Governor Athletic Award U SPORTS Female Athlete of the Year for the 2019-20 season. The winners, selected by a combined vote of the Canadian Athletic Foundation and the public on USPORTS.ca, also receive a $10,000 post-graduate scholarship to attend a graduate level, masters, or doctorate degree at a Canadian university accredited by Universities Canada – https://news.umanitoba.ca/kelsey-wog-wins-2020-u-sports-female-athlete-of-the-year/

The Canadian Society of Animal Science recently announced their 2020 award recipients. Martin Nyachoti, Animal Science, received the Technical Innovation in Enhancing Production of Safe Affordable Food, which recognizes excellence in technical innovation and teaching with emphasis in biotechnology, genetics, physiology, and animal behaviour. The award requires demonstration that the recipient contributed to the production of safe and affordable food of animal origin.  Animal Science senior scholars Laurie Connor and Karin Wittenberg were both awarded Honourary Lifetime Memberships, given in recognition of active members, recently retired, who have demonstrated support of the CSAS mission and who have made contributions to animal science.  Student Ash Liu received an Undergraduate Academic Achievement Award in recognition of superior academic achievement to an undergraduate student during the course of their studies in animal science-related program. Graduate students Yanhong Chen, Bonjin Koo, Jinyoung Lee, Peng Lu, Jichen Song, and Rhea Teranishi were awarded Graduate Student Travel Fellowships. A nod also goes to alumnus Derek Anderson, Dalhousie University, who received the Canadian Industries Award in Extension and Public Service.

Charles Grant, Agribusiness and Agricultural Economics, was presented with the FAFS Excellence in Teaching Award at a recent Faculty Council virtual meeting. This award was established to recognize exceptional contributions to the teaching mandate of the Faculty.  The recipient receives a certificate along with a grant of $2,500 that can be used in support of either teaching or research activities. Charles was named the 2020 recipient for his dedication to innovative course materials, textbook development and high student engagement.

Rob Currie, Entomology, presented a webinar to the Manitoba Beekeepers Association and several local beekeeping associations on June 25.

And finally, as summer approaches, so do the beginnings (and for some, the ends) of research study leaves: Headed out on leave are George Gozho (July 1, 2020 to Dec 31, 2020); Danny Mann (July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021 – admin leave); Jason Morrison (July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021); Mashiur Rahman (July 1, 2020 to Dec 31, 2020) and Trust Beta (July 1, 2020 to Dec 31, 2020). Returning from leave are Chad Lawley, Wen Zhong and Joyce Slater. And finally, we wish the following faculty members happy retirement as of July 1 – Brian Amiro, Harry Sapirstein and Stefan Cenkowski.

 

IN THE NEWS

Kristen Matwychuk, Farm and Food Discovery Centre, was interviewed in the article “Farm and food activities find online home” in the Sou’Wester (June 26) – behind the WFP paywall at https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/our-communities/souwester/Farm-and-food-activities-find-online-home-571509251.html

Mario Tenuta, Soil Science, was interviewed by Farmscape (June 22) in the article “Canadian Pig Production Practices Survey Ready for Launch” – read or listen to the interview at https://farmscape.ca/f2ShowScript.aspx?i=27314&q=Canadian+Pig+Production+Practices+Survey+Ready+for+Launch

Alumni Jake Ayre, Kristine and Graham Tapley and farm management instructors Colin Penner (also an alumni) and Phil Veldhuis were all featured in the Winnipeg Free Press article “Farm-fresh fears” in the Winnipeg Free Press (June 20) – behind WFP paywall at https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/farm-fresh-fears-ag-and-angst-571373852.html

Dilantha Fernando, Plant Science, was featured in the article “Keeping resistance genes in the field” in Top Crop Manager (June: Focus on Crop Protection) – https://mydigitalpublication.com/publication/?m=1031&i=664536&p=10

Amy Mangin, Plant Science, had her presentation “PGRs on spring wheat” featured on Top Crop Manager (June 9) – https://www.topcropmanager.com/pgrs-on-spring-wheat/

Ryan Cardwell, Agribusiness and Agricultural Food Sciences, was interviewed in the article “Supply-managed producers fare better than many during pandemic” in the Manitoba Cooperator (June 19) – https://www.manitobacooperator.ca/news-opinion/news/supply-managed-producers-fare-better-than-many-during-pandemic/

Carla Taylor, Food and Human Nutritional Sciences, was quoted in the article “Potential health claim could boost buckwheat” in the Western Producer (June 11) – https://www.producer.com/2020/06/potential-health-claim-could-boost-buckwheat/.

Jake Ayre and Colin Penner were featured in the article “Young farmers more stressed, less able to cope, study finds” in the manitoba Co-operator (June 9) – https://www.manitobacooperator.ca/news-opinion/news/young-farmers-more-stressed-less-able-to-cope-study-finds/.

Several of our Diploma grads were featured in the AgriPost (May 29). Acey Brinkman was quoted in the story “Ag Diploma Graduate Takes Stock and Makes Plans for the Future” on page 15.  Shawn Williment was interviewed in the story “A Lot of First for the Graduating Class” on page 17. And Pete Giesbrecht was featured in the article “Pea Plant Breeder Creates New Footsteps” on page 18 – https://issuu.com/dispatch223/docs/agripostmay292020

Ryan Cardwell was quoted in the article “Australian barley farmers, Canadian canola growers share Chinese nemesis” in the Manitoba Co-operator (May 28)- https://www.manitobacooperator.ca/news-opinion/news/australian-barley-farmers-canadian-canola-growers-share-chinese-nemesis/

Martin Entz, Plant Science, was authored the article”Does Organic Farming Increase Biodiversity?” in Canada Organic Trade Association’s May Buzz Builder newsletter – https://mailchi.mp/canada-organic.ca/may-buzz-builder-does-organic-farming-increase-biodiversity

Dean Martin Scanlon co-authored the Conversation Canada article ” Supply chain innovation can reduce coronavirus food shortages” with Rene Van Acker, Dean of the Ontario Agricultural College, University of Guelph; and Rickey Yada, professor and Dean, Faculty of Land and Food Systems, University of British Columbia – https://theconversation.com/supply-chain-innovation-can-reduce-coronavirus-food-shortages-138386

Two of our alumni are profiled in the FCC Knowledge newsletter – Brian Archibald and Jill Martens – check it out at https://www.fcc-fac.ca/en/knowledge/bright-minds-from-university-of-manitoba.html.

 

PUBLICATIONS

Stainsby, A., May, W.E., Lafond, G.P. and Entz, M.H., 2020. Soil aggregate stability increased with a self-regenerating legume cover crop in low-nitrogen, no-till agroecosystems of Saskatchewan, Canada. Canadian Journal of Soil Science, (0), pp.1-5.

Carkner, M., Bamford, K., Martens, J.T., Wilcott, S., Stainsby, A., Stanley, K., Dick, C. and Entz, M.H., 2020. Building capacity from Glenlea, Canada’s oldest organic rotation study. In Long-Term Farming Systems Research (pp. 103-122). Academic Press.

Hornung, P.S., Ávila, S., Apea-Bah, F.B., Liu, J., Teixeira, G.L., Ribani, R.H., and Beta, T. (2020) Sustainable use of Ilex paraguariensis waste in improving biodegradable corn starch films’ mechanical, thermal and bioactive properties. Journal of Polymers and the Environment 28:1696–1709  https://doi.org/10.1007/s10924-020-01723-w

Beta, T., Qiu, Y., Liu, Q., Borgen, A., and Apea-Bah, F.B. (2019) Wheat (Triticum sp.) Seeds: Phenolic composition and antioxidant properties. Chapter 10 in: Preedy, V.R. and Watson, R.R. (Eds.) Nuts and Seeds in Health and Disease Prevention, 2nd Edition, pp. 103-125. Academic Press.

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