2014 Haskap Canada AGM (Part 3): Danae Frier & Haskap Pollination Research

Danae Frier is a M.Sc. candidate at the University of Regina. She reported on the pollination biology of Lonicera caerulea at this year's Haskap Canada AGM.

Beginning with plant structure, this provided the ground work for her to speak about the pollination possibilities.  Because of the uniqueness of haskap's two flowers eventually forming one berry study is currently under way to find more precisely the manner in which this mechanism functions. The pollination of this fruit is known to be fully insect-dependent.  The flower is bee-friendly, and given the time of flowering bumble bees and smaller native bees seem important, being inherently more cold-adapted.  Among other things, field studies this year will consider efficiency-compared-to-effectiveness of various pollinators and which factor is more important to haskap fruit pollination.  She also presented on the bumble bee life-cycle, the importance of forage establishment for year-round bee sustenance, and suitable nest sites for native pollinators.

Again, we include her presentation here and ask that if you share them that attribution is included.  Thank you...

 

http://haskap.ca

http://www.fruit.usask.ca/haskap.html

2014 Haskap Canada AGM (Part 2): James Dawson & The Nutrition Of Haskap

James Dawson is a PhD graduate student at the University of Saskatchewan, in the Department of Plant Sciences.  He has presented at both the University of Saskatchewan's Haskap Day as well as at Haskap Canada AGMs.

At this year's Haskap Canada AGM he spoke on the manner in which antioxidants/polyphenyls are actually metabolized in the human body, which as it is coming to be better understood as an emerging science, will put a whole new slant on how you should approach antioxidants in general, and haskap in particular.  His presentation demonstrates precisely why the resources of university research are critical to better understanding the ongoing revelations that the sciences continue to offer.  

We include his presentation this year entitled, Phenylpropanoids In Lonicera caerulea for your viewing pleasure and ask that if you share them that attribution is included.  Thank you...

http://haskap.ca

http://www.fruit.usask.ca/haskap.html

2014 Haskap Canada AGM (Part 1): Dr. Bob Bors & The University Of Saskatchewan Research And Development Program

The 2014 Haskap Canada AGM started at 10:00 a.m. on February 29th at the Agriculture Building on the University of Saskatchewan campus.

The meeting began with a report by the University of Saskatchewan's Dr. Bob Bors.  During his presentation he discussed:

• the sources of funding for ongoing haskap research, 
• the ongoing developmental nature/evolution of the research, 
• the outcomes of a wide selection of controlled crosses, 
• the fact that 20,000 seedlings are now coming into fruit production at the university's Horticulture Field Lab and its implications, 
• a review/critique on the success of various forms of mechanical harvest
• a review of the various selections and their growth characteristics
• interim reports that will become available online
• the continued development of fruit selection standards
• the development of a quick-screening platform for evaluating neutriceutical properties
• the trial currently going on in Ontario

As usual it was a very informative presentation, the technical nature of what it takes to continue to strive for exceptional, haskap-quality varieties being the focus and how the vast array of the University of Saskatchewan's facilities are able to contribute to this.

Pollination Researcher To Speak At 2014 AGM Morning Session

Ms. Danae Frier is currently a M.Sc. candidate at the University of Regina, supervised by Dr. Cory Sheffield (Royal Saskatchewan Museum) and Dr. Chris Somers (University of Regina).  She is studying the pollination biology of Lonicera caerulea.  She will deliver a brief talk on the subject, addressing what is already known about floral pollinators and the research planned for the upcoming summer, which will help identify which bees are the best pollinators of the crop.

Her former experience and education as a biologist has included: museum collections, burrowing owls, blue racers, and prairie rattlesnakes.

Haskap Canada : Annual General Meeting - Official Agenda Posting

Haskap Canada AGM will be held 
Saturday March 29th, 2014, at the
University of Saskatchewan,
Agriculture Building,
Saskatoon, SK Canada

9:00 AM to 9:30 AM - Registration


9:30 AM to 12:00 AM - Information Sessions (no charge for attendees)


12:00 Noon to 1:00 PM – Lunch break


1:00 PM to 2:00 PM – Annual General Meeting

          Agenda will include :

                    Director Elections (2 – 3 year term positions)

                    President’s Report

                    Strategic Plan Review

                    Financial Report

                    Membership Fees

                    Constitution Amendments to comply with new legislation

2:00 PM to 3:00 PM – Open Forum

[per - http://haskap.ca/annual-general-meeting#sthash.rOh4DhkU.dpuf]

AGM Update: 9:30 A.M., March 29, U of SK

On March 29 Haskap Canada's AGM will take place.  The (rescheduled) starting time will be at 9:30 a.m..  Registration will take place immediately prior to the meeting.  The location of the AGM is just off of the ground-level entry atruim in Room #1E80 (southeast corner) of the U of SK Agriculture Building.  Parking is available under the building...entry to the west.

Please note that our AGM is taking place concurrently with Gardenscape.  Gardenscapes' hours are: Friday, March 28,11:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m., Saturday, March 29, 9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m., and Sunday, March 30, 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m..  Even if visiting Saskatoon for only on the 29th, there will be 4 or 5 hours after the AGM to go to gardenscape.  Gardenscape does charge.

Presentations at the AGM include:  U of SK breeding & research,  nutraceuticals, pollination, and the Saskatchewan Grocery Retail Value Chain Initiative.

See you there!

[Previous notification and directions: http://haskap-canada.blogspot.ca/2014/03/2014-agm-come-and-join-us.html]

2014 AGM: Come And Join Us!

The date for the 2014 Annual General Meeting of Haskap Canada is set for 9:00 a.m., on Saturday, March 29.  Registration for the meeting will take place on the day of the meeting.  The location of the meeting will be posted in the lobby of the Agriculture Building on the University of Saskatchewan, 51 CampusDrive, Saskatoon, SK.  The morning will feature various speakers (to be announced); the AGM will begin at 1:00 p.m..

To be addressed at the AGM are resolutions regarding new rules governing not-for-profit organizations. Nominations will also be accepted for the board of directors' open position(s).  Updates on various research findings on the crop and topics such as pollination will be discussed earlier in the day.

See you there!

U of SK, Campus Map (PDF) (Agriculture Building, map location @ 5D, Building #5, parking available under building, entrance to the west of building)

Haskap Wine?

Here's a link to a page (PDF) on the University of Saskatchewan's fruit website showing the results of Peter Reimer's work on producing haskap wine.  He writes...

A small but serious fruit wine industry is beginning to emerge in Saskatchewan.  This is due, in part, to recent legislation which aims to nurture successful grape, and non-grape, cottage wineries.  These wineries are driving a search for fruit which is reliably productive, and hardy, while resulting in a quality fermented product.  Some of Saskatchewan's fruit wine makers have discovered Haskap, and are beginning to see the full potential of the fruit...read more here

Check out this PDF for a great haskap wine recipe!

Member's Website Update

As of yesterday the Haskap Canada website now includes a link that will allow members to reset their own password using email. (The reset link is on the right sidebar just below login.)

If the automated password reset does not work the administrator can reset it manually for them.  Members can send manual password reset email requests to dnegrych@haskap.ca.

Haskap Canada - Member's Login Now Active

Beginning today, if you are a member of Haskap Canada the Member's Login is now active.  Accessing Haskap Canada's homepage, the member login box is located at the top right of the page.  By logging in a new tab appears along the top bar entitled 'Members', which is not available to non-members.  Four drop-down options to this tab appear as: Member Network, Payment, Constitution, and AGM.  By selecting the tab labeled Member Network members can access an interactive map that shows all members of HC, their location, and their contact information (if so provided by them).

Memberships can also be paid here for $50CDN/yr.   HC accepts Mastercard/Visa/Paypal.

If you are not registered, you may do so by contacting Haskap Canada at: Contact Us.

Happy Holidays!

Freshly juiced organic apples!  A fine mix at 4:1 with juiced haskap.

Try juicing your haskap!  Yielding roughly 40% juice by weight, mix this with freshly juiced apples at a rate of 1 part haskap to 4 parts apple, for a unique blend.  At this rate the apples and haskap can be individually discerned, but neither overpowers the other, and additionally result in a mix that is all of its own…a fresh taste to add to your new year!

Happy New Year and may your haskap grow and bear profusely in 2014...from Haskap Canada!

New Article On Haskap Climate Zone Requirements

There's a new article posted on the University of Saskatchewan website about climate zone requirements for haskap:  How Far South Can Haskap/ Lonicera caerulea Be Grown?

Many gardeners and farmers are interested in trying Haskap in warmer parts of Canada, USA and around the world.   Experienced gardeners in the north are all too familiar with the idea that they might not be able to grow all the fruits they see in the nursery catalogs or at the big box stores.  But growers in warmer regions are usually not familiar with the concept that they might be south of an optimum growing region.

Topics covered include: Symptoms, Natural Range, Breeding For The South, and Imports

…It Certainly Looks Like Haskap! (...And Well Worth The Trouble) :)

Caminandes: Gran Dillama - Short Movie from Xyo on Vimeo.

(hint: watch to the very end)

Orchard-Based Research?

Are you raising haskap and curious about a certain aspect that has not yet been developed?  This is a reminder that it may be worth your time to investigate whether your provincial government might partner with you through one of their existing agricultural support programs to find out the answer to your question.  Saskatchewan, for example, already has several programs in place which include:

Farm and Ranch Water  Infrastructure Program (FRWIP)

Supports the development of agricultural water infrastructure.

www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/GF2-FRWIP.

toll free line at 1-877-874-5365

email  fpbinfo@gov.sk.ca.

Farm Stewardship Program

Assistance to implement beneficial management practices (BMP) that help maintain or improve the quality of soil, water, air or biodiversity resources.

www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/GF2-Farmstewardship.

toll free line at 1-877-874-5365

email  fpbinfo@gov.sk.ca

Saskatchewan Lean Improvements in Manufacturing (SLIM)

Support to agri-businesses that process bio-product, food and feed for projects that stimulate improvements in productivity and efficiency through the adoption of best practices, new technologies and state-of-the-art processes.

 www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/GF2-SLIM

call Gary Coghill 1-306-787-8537.

email gary.coghill@gov.sk.ca

On-Farm Food Safety Implementation Program

Producers receive training and funding directly from the associated commodity organization. They do not have to be members of these organizations to access

programming.  As programming differs by organization, producers should contact the respective commodity organization for details (see website for associated commodity group contact information)

www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/GF2-OnFarmFoodSafety

What does your province provide?

Haskap and Blue Mason Bees

A Blue Mason Bee study is currently under way by provincial entomologists in Saskatchewan.  Currently they are checking the pollen collected from this past year in order to see how effective these are as haskap pollinators.

Wanted: Haskap For Export To Europe And Japan

If you have Haskap that is exportable to Europe and/or Japan, then please contact Hamish Graham immediately at:  maddog@me.com or maddog@icloud.com.

Thanks!

Plant Breeders' Rights In Canada

Did you know that...

Plant Breeders' Rights (PBR) are a form of intellectual property rights by which plant breeders can protect their new varieties in the same way an inventor protects a new invention with a patent.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency administers the Plant Breeders' Rights Act (1990) and Regulations which provide legal protection to plant breeders for new plant varieties for up to 18 years.

…this protection extends internationally.  Without being granted the right to propagate their selections of haskap by the University of Saskatchewan it is absolutely illegal to do so.

Plant registration in the USA is handled through the Patent Office: www.uspto.gov.

Diversified Pollinator Strategy

Here's a link to an article on diversified pollinator lodging entitled 'Building A Bug Mansion':

http://www.wildaboutgardens.org.uk/thingstodo/inaweekend/bug-mansion.aspx 

Haskap Canada Member's Site

Be watching for a new Haskap Canada member's-only site which is in the process of taking shape...