Grant: Applied Research Tools and Instruments Grants

Suncrest College is requesting funding to purchase a near-infrared spectroscope (NIRS) for the non-destructive analysis of crop samples. This instrument will be part of the planned grain analysis lab at Suncrest College to supplement the work of the three applied research agronomy researchers at the college. This instrument will bring in-house analysis that has had to be paid for externally either in fee for service labs or through goodwill from industry partners. The NIRS does not require any consumables for continued operation after the initial setup, making it completely sustainable for the grain analysis lab at Suncrest College. The research program has grown significantly in the last 18 months with the addition of two new researchers for a total of three full-time agronomy researchers. Through their work in support of local producers and agrifood processors, researchers need this equipment to be available at the college. The NIRS will provide researchers with important data about protein, oil, starch and moisture levels in grains, oilseeds, forage and leaf material from plots and field trials conducted by college researchers. The information will be used to inform producers about the effects of a wide variety of agronomic and grain management practices to assist producers in maximizing their profitability. It will also be used for applied research work with agrifood processors such as canola crushing and oat milling facilities in the college region and to expand the range of projects that we can handle to other agrifood processors such as dairy and meat. This equipment will assist Suncrest College in reaching its goal of a grain analysis lab to support the agriculture industry in Saskatchewan. The college will also use the NIR to train students in the use of industry-standard analysis practices and give them increased marketable skills for the workplace in the grain handling industry. Working with food producers and processors in Saskatchewan, Suncrest College contributes to feeding the world, supporting Canadian exports, and training the next generation of people to continue this important work.