b'production does not displace food crop cultivation, requiring commercial production to be focused in regions where the crop can be grown between main crop rotations. To date commer-cial production has expanded over the past four years mostly in Argentina and was introduced as a harvested contract cover crop in the southern United States in the 2022-23 season. A significant focus of Nuseeds efforts is directed towards scaling sustainable supply globally to meet the rapidly increas-ing demand for bioenergy feedstocks. With no cover crop window in Canada, certified production would be limited to the few fallow acres present here. Its good for reducing erosion that fallow isnt widely prac-ticed anymore in Canada, but it makes certified commercial production to the RSB standards difficult, Bennett says.CamelinaOver the past few years, the cultivation of camelina, an oilseed crop, has gained steady momentum. One particularly promis-ing avenue for camelinas growth is its potential use in produc-ing biodiesel and jet fuel, similar to carinata. Camelina has been approved by Health Canada for human consumption purposes, albeit in a limited and specialized market.The crops versatility shines in its adaptability to different rotations, notes Deb Puttick, oilseeds research team leader and biotechnology specialist at Smart Earth Camelina in Saskatoon, Sask. Camelina finds a comfortable place following wheat,Rick Bennett is a carinata breeder for Nuseed based in Saskatoon, Sask. His teams goal is ambitious but attainable: to cultivate between half a barley, peas, lentils, and other cereal crops.million to a million acres within the next five-to-10 years.Photo: Daniel Nwabuko/Daeko PhotographyMustardCanadian farmers play a vital role in global mustard produc- more productive lines with enhanced disease resistance hold the tion, contributing nearly half of the worlds mustard crop. Theypotential to reduce fungicide use, translating into cost savings also hold the distinction of being the top exporters of condi- for farmers while also delivering environmental benefits.ment mustards, encompassing brown, yellow, and oriental varieties. Much of this mustard is cultivated on the Prairies.HempTaking charge of mustard seed commercialization isA recent research initiative enabled by the DFCC and led by Mustard 21 Canada. This organization oversees the aspectsJan Slaski from InnoTech Alberta delved into the potential cad-related to bringing mustard seed to market. Despite the impres- mium accumulation in Canadian hemp. Hemp, similar to flax sive production figures, CEO Rick Mitzel highlights a lagand durum wheat, has the capacity to accumulate cadmium, in crop development research within the mustard sector. Toa heavy metal. The research aimed to ascertain whether this address this gap, the Diverse Field Crops Cluster has provenaccumulation could raise safety concerns and trade barriers. invaluable. An ideal rotation would be one in which mustardCadmium accumulation wasnt a significant issue in the fields crops follow a cereal crop.studied.This has big advantages. Consumers gain assurance in Flax the safety of hemp grain products and farmers are relieved Canadian flaxseeds exceptional oil quality and higher oil con- of cadmium-related concerns, while international communi-tent have positioned Canada as a leader in its global productionties receive solid proof of Canadian-produced hemps heavy and export. The University of Saskatchewans Crop Developmentmetal contamination-free status. Its a noteworthy testament to Centre Flax Breeding Program, established in 1976, stands as thehemps suitability as a rotation crop, the researchers said. sole source of new flax cultivars for the Prairies, emphasizing its vital role in shaping the crops trajectory.The programs overarching objectiveled by CDC flax breeder Bunyamin Taranis the creation of advanced brownFor more info on the Resilient Rotations study visitand yellow seed varieties with improved agronomic traits,wgrf.ca/resilient-rotations-factsheetaddressing the needs of growers. The resulting higher quality,Read more info on the Diverse Field Crops Cluster at dfcc.ca16GERMINATION.CASEPTEMBER 2023'