Yorkton, SK — Suncrest College welcomed the community to its East Central Research Foundation (ECRF) Field Day Wednesday, highlighting some of the work done by Suncrest’s Applied Research Team.
The day began with tours of the research plots, which included enhanced efficiency fertilizers with Lyle Cowell (Nutrien), pea weevil trials with Meagen Reed from SaskPulse, fall cereals trial with Colin Tanner (FP Genetics), Suncrest’s Mike Hall talking about the enhanced barley and shallow banding nitrogen trials, along with Suncrest’s Ahsan Rajper on post-emergent nitrogen trials on wheat.
Dr. Gwen Machnee, Suncrest College’s Chair of Applied Research said welcoming the community to the space is always a day her team looks forward to during the year.
“I am always happy to show the excellent work of our research staff and this year is no exception. The benefit they bring to the regional ag industry is impressive. We are so grateful to have partners like the City of Yorkton that make this research farm possible,” said Dr. Machnee.
This is the fourteenth year for Suncrest’s plot research at the ECRF/Suncrest Research Farm, and our 13th annual Field Day.
In 2024, Suncrest was particularly excited to show off new purchases that will enhance our ability to continue the great research, which includes Suncrest’s office building, a new tractor and a new plot combine. The new equipment was made possible thanks to donations adding up to $600,000 within the last calendar year from the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture, SaskBarley, SaskCanola, SaskPulse and SaskWheat. Also included in the tour was our award-winning Biobed, demonstrating our commitment to a sustainable future for agriculture and a clean environment.
We anticipate that the agricultural research program at Suncrest College will continue to grow to serve the producers and agrifood processors in this important region of the province. The new equipment and new, highly qualified research staff guarantee that Suncrest College and Saskatchewan are well-placed to meet the challenge of feeding the world into the next century.
About Suncrest College: Suncrest College was established in 2023 as a result of merging Cumberland College and Parkland College. The college offers a superior learning experience with locations in Canora, Esterhazy, Fort Qu’Appelle, Kamsack, Melfort, Melville, Nipawin, Tisdale, and Yorkton. Students can choose from a wide array of educational options, including university degrees, skills training diplomas and certificates, trades training, high school upgrading, employability programs, safety training, corporate/professional development, along with taking part in various applied research projects led by the College.
