Agri-Futures Nova Scotia

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Project Number:  NS0271

Project Name:  AgroGreen Energy

Recipient: Integrated Digital Services Ltd.
This project aims to develop a business operational plan for an agricultural biofuel manufacturing plant with appropriate information to bring it forward for investment readiness and secure sufficient test fuel made from industrial hemp for a 'test burn' at a coal-burning electrical generating facility.

Original Estimated Project Cost:   $105,979

Final Project Cost: $122,297  

Original Approved Agri-Futures Nova Scotia Funding: $79,728.50

Final Agri-Futures Nova Scotia CAAP Funding Provided:  $79,728.50

Project status:  Completed

 

 

Project Number:  NS0276

Project Name:  An Assessment of the Impact, Regulatory Regime and Outlook of the Nova Scotia Dairy Sector

Recipient:  Dairy Production Enhancement Society

The objectives of this project are:  a) to determine the provincial dairy sector’s impact on the Nova Scotia economy and educate farmers and the general public on its importance to the province, b) to educate dairy producers so that they have a better understanding of their industry and can become more involved in its development, and c) to gather information on potential challenges and opportunities for the Nova Scotia dairy sector in the future.  This project plans to result in a better informed and educated industry which will be able to respond more effectively to challenges facing the sector from demographic changes, potential regulatory challenges and on-going changes to global food and input markets.

Original Estimated Project Cost:   $39,893.75

Final Project Cost: $ 51,191.50

Original Approved Agri-Futures Nova Scotia Funding: $27,143.75

Final Agri-Futures Nova Scotia CAAP Funding Provided:  $24,030

Project status:  Completed

 

 

Project Number:  NS0277

Project Name:  Nova Scotia Poultry Processing Solution

Recipient: Chicken Farmers of Nova Scotia

The Nova Scotia poultry processing industry has been through a number of evolutions including the closure of the Maple Leaf poultry processing plant in 2007.  The closure left one plant to operate in the province – ACA Co-operative Limited.  ACA Co-operative had the physical capacity within its facilities to slaughter all of Nova Scotia’s annual production, but did not have access to enough markets to successfully sell the product.  The objective of this project is to develop a model in Nova Scotia that is self-sufficient, profitable, and economically viable over the long term.  The project activities include developing protocols for the incorporation of a new limited liability company, completing strategic and financial planning, income tax planning and the developing governance models and to complete a preliminary engineering study to assist in the decision making process for developing a strategy for moving forward with a new primary processing facility.  The model represents a dynamic new approach for the Nova Scotia poultry industry.

Original Estimated Project Cost:  $550,000

Final Project Cost: $546,436.08

Original Approved Agri-Futures Nova Scotia CAAP Funding: $440,000.00

Final Agri-Futures Nova Scotia CAAP Funding Provided:  $437,148.86

Project status:  Completed

 

 

Project Number:  NS0278

Project Name:  New Opportunities in Value-added Agriculture (NOVAA)

Recipient: Eastern Kings Chamber of Commerce

The goal of this project is to encourage farm entrepreneurs to increase the profitability of their current farm businesses through value added activities. The goals of the project are to a) assist local agricultural producers in identifying new value-added product opportunities and new markets to which those products could be sold; b) provide the producers with the business and feasibility planning skills necessary to move forward with these opportunities; c) link the producers with the private sector businesses and public sector agencies that can support them as they navigate through an otherwise complex process; d) encourage the producers to adopt new technologies that will increase efficiency and open them to new markets; e) increase exporting activity, with exporting being broadly defined as selling to new geographic markets that the business does not currently serve and f) increase overall profitability for Annapolis Valley agricultural producers.  The resource created as a result of this project will contain key contact information, planning tools, articles, financing options, and other strategic information for producers.

Original Estimated Project Cost:   $65,850.00

Final Project Cost: $ 65,007.21

Original Approved Agri-Futures Nova Scotia Funding: $53,500.00

Final Agri-Futures Nova Scotia CAAP Funding Provided:  $51,237.20

Project status:  Completed

 

 

Project Number:  NS0279CO/ NB0222CO

Project Name:  Oilseed Protein Directions for Atlantic Canada

Recipient:  Atlantic Grains Council

Research on oilseed and protein crops has been increasing in the region. This research and new business opportunities need to be explored and specific directions created to keep the Atlantic region competitive. This project aims to do just that and the Atlantic Grains Council sees this as an opportunity to create a clear focus and a research and development plan in order for the Atlantic to be able to access the new funds and develop the crops.

Total Project Cost:   $79,990.00

Approved by all Partnering CAAP Councils:  $59,850.00

Approved Agri-Futures Nova Scotia CAAP Funding Portion:  $14,962.50

Project status:  In progress

 

 

Project Number:  NS0280CO/ NB0200CO

Project Name:  2009 Research Forum

Recipient: NB Soils & Crops

There is a lack of information within the sector on all the various research projects which are currently under way.  As well, all of the various groups are who are conducting research are not aware of everyone else who is conducting research and the groups who could assist in the transfer of that information to the agricultural community. This project aims to bring together various groups involved in agricultural research with a view to creating a network for sharing knowledge of research activities and results, gaps identified and information distribution networks developed within the Maritime Provinces.

Total Project Cost:  $116,560.75

Approved by all Partnering CAAP Councils:  $25,547.66

Approved Agri-Futures Nova Scotia CAAP Funding Portion:  $4,614.87

Project status:  In progress

 

 

Project Number:  NS0281

Project Name:  Independent and Scientifically Controlled test of a Newly Patented Ash-removal System for a Bio-fuel Furnace

Recipient: LST Energy Inc.

This is a pre-commercialization project and follow-up to NS0204--Waterside Ranch--Development of the Atlantic hay pellet boiler where a burner was manufactured in which grass pellets could be burned without generating clinkers or fused ash which extinguished the burning process and required physical removal before burning could proceed.  The new system eliminates clinker formation and allows continuous long term burning.  The goal of this project is to test this design of the burner in an industrial setting under laboratory controlled conditions.  If successful, this assessment will improve on the design and yield a proven boiler design ready for manufacture that will generate significant greenhouse gas reductions, while producing emissions comparable to existing oil-fired appliances.

Original Estimated Total Project Cost: $62,000

Final Project Cost: $64,261.37

Original Approved Agri-Futures Nova Scotia CAAP Funding:  $15,000

Final Agri-Futures Nova Scotia CAAP Funding Provided:  $15,000

Project status:  Completed

 

 

Project Number:  NS0283CO/ QC6420CO

Project Name:  Identifying Regional Infestation Sources of Internal Lepidoptera in Apples

Recipient:  Centre de recherche agroalimentaire de Mirabel

During the past several years a significant increase in codling moth was identified in Quebec apple growing regions (from 20% in 2007 to 80% in 2008 for population levels requiring phytosanitary treatments).  The oriental fruit moth is a pest that was first observed in Quebec in 2002 and based on regular monitoring the distribution areas are constantly increasing.  The goal of the project is to identify infestation sources of the codling moth and the oriental fruit moth and then 1) Determine whether the abandoned orchards, the orchards without monitoring and the storage bins used by the processing and packing industries can be regional infestation sources of the codling moth and the oriental fruit moth; and 2) Propose realistic solutions to reduce the infestation sources of these two pests which will prove to be a curative approach rather than a preventative one.

Total Project Cost: $117,473.00

Approved by all Partnering CAAP Councils:  $99,998.00

Approved Agri-Futures Nova Scotia CAAP Funding Portion:  $5,000.00

Project status:  In progress

 

 

Project Number:  NS0284CO/NS0284CO

Project Name:  Conjugated lineolic acid and other beneficial fatty acids in lamb produced on different feeding systems

Recipient:  Sheep Producers Association of Nova Scotia

The goal of this research project is the development of feeding protocols for the production of nutrient-enhanced lamb products that could increase consumer demand and command premium prices for producers.  Using pasture species (in particular red clover) as a way to alter the fatty acid profile of lamb meat will be studied and compared to dietary supplementation with various sources of polyunsaturated fatty acids during the finishing stages of lamb production.  Through this project, the lipid content and fatty acid composition of foods could be altered to increase the proportion of beneficial polyunsaturated fatty acids such as docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA); and omega-6 conjugated fatty lineolic acids referred to as (CLA), which would help consumers meet their nutritional requirements as well as increase market appeal and product sales for producers.

Total Project Cost:  $150,149.00

Approved by all Partnering CAAP Councils:  $131,149.00

Approved Agri-Futures Nova Scotia CAAP Funding Portion:  $76,512.33

Project status:  In progress

 

 

Project Number:  NS0286CO/ NB0229CO

Project Name:  Maritime Pollination Workshop with CANPOLIN Researchers

Recipient:  Bluets NB Blueberries

Pollination is an important component for the successful harvest of many agricultural crops.  Reported declines in native bees and high annual losses of honey bee colonies put these crops profitability at risk. This project will bring researchers to the area to consult with Maritime growers about research priorities on native bees and commercial pollinators. The researchers will discuss and set directions on important biological issues regarding the pollination of crops.  Three avenues of research priorities will be reviewed 1) bee health, 2) native bees and agro-ecosystems and 3) crop pollination. The priorities established will guide researchers to direct their research toward issues that is considered important to crop producers. 

Total Project Cost:  $37,300.00

Approved by all Partnering CAAP Councils:  $29,800.00

Approved Agri-Futures Nova Scotia CAAP Funding Portion:  $6,804.00

Project status:  In progress

 

 

Project Number:  NS0287CO/ QP6421CO

Project Name:  Evaluating Bti Biopesticide Against Cabbage Maggot, Delia radicum L.

Recipient:  Centre de recherche agroalimentaire de Mirabel

The aim of the project is to assess the potential of the Bti biopesticide to fight cabbage maggot, currently controlled with a soon to be banned pesticide, chlorpyrifos. The next step will be to identify the lethal potential of both formulations in a lab. The formulation that will be most effective at the lowest concentrations will be field-tested for rutabaga and cauliflower with treatment variants such as spraying and wetting. The results will help compare the measured efficiency with a control and similar treatments with the organophosphorus insecticide currently in use.

Total Project Cost:  $100,372.00

Approved by all Partnering CAAP Councils:  $79,085.00

Approved Agri-Futures Nova Scotia CAAP Funding Portion:  $5,000.00

Project status:  In progress

 

 

Project Number:  NS0292

Project Name:  Food Connections Research Project

Recipient:  Ecology Action Centre

This project aims to support direct marketing of agricultural products through a research study which will examine the question: Can programs to build food skills encourage agricultural direct marketing?  It is the aim of the project to: a) increase food preparation and preservation skills through a series of capacity building workshops; b)connect food educators (e.g. dietitians, nutrition professors etc.) with farmers and local food markets; c) support emerging and alternative food distribution systems (farmers markets, CSAs, buying groups); and d) study the impact of this project on the purchasing behaviour and eating habits of consumer participants in the project, as well as the sales and marketing behavior of farmer participants.  The project hopes to assist the industry in pathfinding a solution to a challenge that was once known and is now not widely known; that is how to prepare the fresh food that we purchase.

Total Project Cost:  $40,000.00

Agri-Futures Nova Scotia CAAP Funding:  $34,000.00

Project status:  In progress

 

 

Project Number:  NS0293CO/ NB0227CO

Project Name:  Methodology of toxin testing for grain samples

Recipient:  Atlantic Grains Council

Grain producers’ number 1 concern to come out of the strategic session organized by the Atlantic Grains Council is the fact that grain is being refused at delivery because of high levels of Deoxnivalenol (DON). There have been missed opportunities, lower confidence in Maritime grain and lost income to producers. Traditional testing for DON levels in grain show that the grain is fine until the product reaches the client.  With the help of expertise from the Canadian Grain Commission, the Atlantic Grains Council will address the issue of contradictory DON results. This project will develop a methodology to properly test the grain and oilseed that is agreeable to every value chain member in the industry. Considerations will be given to up-to-date research, method of sampling (sample taken, stored, grinded) and collaboration between parties. Outputs of the project are to salvage existing markets in grains and oilseeds and create strong customer confidence to allow access to additional markets.

Total Project Cost:  $61,140.00

Approved by all Partnering CAAP Councils:  $32,160.78

Agri-Futures Nova Scotia CAAP Funding Portion:  $10,720.26

Project status:  In progress

 

 

Project Number:  NS0294

Project Name:   Benchmarking & Key Performance Indicators for the Nova Scotia Dairy Industry

Recipient:  Cape Breton Partnerships Inc.

The aim of this project is to develop a pilot web based software system which will allow for real time data entry and reporting for KPI’s (key performance indicators) and other benchmarking measurements for dairy producers in Nova Scotia.  This system will allow operators to enter, track and compare their real time figures to others in the region.  The results will enable producers to respond more quickly to trends in the industry and identify strengths and deficiencies more rapidly.

Original Estimated Project Cost:  $103,497.50

Final Project Cost:  $103,497.50

Original Approved Agri-Futures Nova Scotia CAAP Funding:  $84,997.50

Final Agri-Futures Nova Scotia CAAP Funding Provided:  $84,997.50

Project status:  Completed

 

 

Project Number:  NS0295CO/ NB0231CO

Project Name:  Maritime Blueberry Industry COP - Determining a methodology

Recipient:  Bluets NB Blueberries

In 2008 and 2009 Maritime blueberry producers saw a significant decrease in the price received for their product. Producers have also been faced with dramatic increases in input costs over the last several years. To respond to the evolving production and marketing environment this one year project will develop a methodology for a cost of production study for the Maritime blueberry industry that is comprehensive in approach and includes, among other considerations, development costs, renewal costs, and a return on employed capital which will provide a good basis to move forward with the next phase of completing the Cost of Production Study.

Total Project Cost:  $18,660.00

Approved by all Partnering CAAP Councils:  $15,660.00

Approved Agri-Futures Nova Scotia CAAP Funding Portion:  $5,220.00

Project status:  In progress

 

 

Project Number:  NS0296

Project Name:  Celery Production Development for Cool Climate on Mineral Soil in Nova Scotia Celery

Recipient:  Horticulture Nova Scotia

Celery is not a traditional crop grown in Nova Scotia and is not currently being produced on a commercial scale.  The project objectives are to develop viable production techniques for the commercial production of celery and to establish new technology protocols including the use of plasticulture, various applications of nitrogen and calcium, varying transplant container sizes, transplant age/trimming trials and in-row plant spacing (crop density) trials on mineral soils.  This project will enable horticultural producers to have production protocols applicable in Nova Scotia.

Total Project Cost:  $47,200.00

Approved Agri-Futures Nova Scotia CAAP Funding:  $40,000.00

Project status:  In progress

 

 

Project Number:  NS0297

Project Name:  Growing Industrial Hemp in a Maritime Climate in Nova Scotia

Recipient:  Integrated Digital Services Ltd

This is a follow up to NS0236 and NS0271 where the first evaluated the market potential for Industrial Hemp as a Raw material for the manufacture of fuel pellets and the second developed a business operational plan for a biofuel manufacturing plant and completing a test burn.  The aim of this project is to conduct on-field agronomic monitoring and research to build on existing information as it relates to the Nova Scotian climate and conditions.  It is anticipated that the results of this project will provide a clear path to a profitable crop and would allow for a comfort level amongst growers to fully utilize this crop in NS.

Original Estimated Total Project Cost:  $51,675.80

Final Project Cost:  $51,675.80

Original Approved Agri-Futures Nova Scotia CAAP Funding:  $33,058.75

Final Agri-Futures Nova Scotia CAAP Funding Provided:  $33,058.75

Project status:  Completed

 

 

Project Number:  NS0298

Project Name:  Control of Black Root Rot in Strawberry Production using high-fungal compost incorporated into raised beds

Recipient: Horticulture Nova Scotia

Black root rot (BRR) is a complex and serious soil borne disease and a major contributing factor in declining strawberry yields in Nova Scotia. Chemical control has not been effective and the soil fumigant Telone is soon to be withdrawn from the Canadian market.  This project aims to pilot the use of high fungal compost tea as an effective control for Black Root Rot Complex.  The resulting method, incorporated into raised beds, proposes to provide a cost effective alternative control for black root rot using a new high-fungal compost production system for both organic and conventional strawberry producers in Nova Scotia.

Total Project Cost:  $34,435.00

Approved Agri-Futures Nova Scotia CAAP Funding:  $29,300.00

Project status:  In progress

 

 

Project Number:  NS0299

Project Name:  Field Test to Evaluate Novel Breeding Marker Panel for Herd life and Reproduction in Holstein Cattle

Recipient:  Performance Genomics Inc.

Selective breeding focused on milk production of Holstein cows has resulted in impressive gains over the past few decades and reproductive performance and robustness have deteriorated to the point where increased replacement rate seriously limits profitability.  The test being developed through this project will provide producers with a simple means of determining, at birth, an animal’s reproductive potential. This information obtained from the test can be used to optimize the production and use of superior animals to improve the overall efficiency of the herd for the producer.  This field trial will provide a means of evaluating the efficacy of the product. 

Original Estimated Project Cost:   $217,945

Final Project Cost: $ 235,516.00

Original Approved Agri-Futures Nova Scotia Funding: $95,000

Final Agri-Futures Nova Scotia CAAP Funding Provided:  $95,000

Project status:  Completed

 

 

Project Number:  NS0302CO (NL0182CO)

Project Name:  Conversion of Mink Fat into Bio-Diesel - Pilot Project

Recipient:  SPEC Environmental Solutions Inc.

Disposal of mink carcasses and waste is of utmost importance for environmental reasons as well reduction in disease and watershed contamination aspects.  This project aims to create an environmentally acceptable solution to the waste disposal issue as well as preventing the spread of Aleutian Disease and other diseases by using the mink fat to create mink oil and bio-diesel.  Though the exploration of the methods of rendering and extracting mink oil from the fat, this project could be a huge contribution to the reduction of disease, clean up of the environment, and the potential run-off of effluent to the river systems of Digby and Yarmouth counties.

Total Project Cost:  $280,434.45

Approved by all Partnering CAAP Councils:  $101,464.50

Approved Agri-Futures Nova Scotia CAAP Funding Portion:  $91,314.50

Project status:  In progress

 

 

Project Number:  NS0304CO (NS0304CO)

Project Name:  Effect of supplementing low protein diets with synthetic amino acids on the production performance of laying hens

Recipient:  Nova Scotia Egg Producers

Since synthetic amino acids have become commercially available, there has been increased interest in feeding low protein amino acid supplemented diets.  This interest is due to the reduction in cost of diets that contain lower amounts of one of the most expensive feed ingredients: protein.  As laying hens cannot store excess amino acids, excesses in the diet are costly, wasteful and have a negative impact on the environment.  Supplying the bird with an amino acid profile that more closely resembles its requirements will benefit not only the producer by reducing nitrogen inputs but also the environment by reducing the amount of nitrogen that needs to be disposed of.  This project will determine which phase or phases of production will allow for least-cost diets formulated by reducing the crude protein content and using synthetic amino acids to meet the bird’s requirement to allow for maximum production potential of the hens will help the producer reduce feed costs and improve overall profitability.

Total Project Cost:  $105,280

Approved by all Partnering CAAP Councils:  $75,980.00

Approved Agri-Futures Nova Scotia CAAP Funding Portion:  $34,905.00

Project status:  In progress

 

 

Project Number:  NS0305CO (NB0242CO)

Project Name:  Control of the Balsam Gall Midge Paradiplosis tumifex Gagneé (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) with Sex Pheromones and Mass Trapping: pre-commercialization and development of a control product.

Recipient:  INFOR Inc.

Balsam gall midges, Paradiplosis tumifex Gagneé (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) are tiny flies that cause swellings (galls) on balsam fir needles. If numbers are high, large numbers of needles can be infested and eventually drop, making the tree unsuitable for the Christmas tree market. Control is often very difficult due to the short period that the larvae are exposed and once the larvae are enveloped by the needle within the gall, it is futile to apply a registered pesticide (Diazinon®). Since Christmas tree plantations are small, unique ecosystems, a sex pheromone trapping technique for balsam gall midge may be very effective. This three year proposal sets out to isolate, identify, and synthesize a sex pheromone for balsam gall midge and then to develop a sex pheromone trapping or mating disruption technology that would be relatively easy to use and  lead to a safe, effective “green” control technique in Christmas tree plantations.

Total Project Cost:  $352,000

Approved by all Partnering CAAP Councils:  $281,600.00

Approved Agri-Futures Nova Scotia CAAP Funding Portion:  $140,800.00

Project status:  In progress

 

 

Project Number:  NS0306

Project Name:  South Western Nova Scotia Climate Data Research Project

Recipient:  Yarmouth Regional Business Development Corporation

The purpose of the “South West Nova Climate Data Research Project” is to collect valuable micro climate temperature and climate data information from Yarmouth, Shelburne, Queen and Lunenburg Counties. The climate data collected will be packaged into a report and presented to agri-industry developers, agriculture industry groups, community economic development agencies and government.

Total Project Cost:  $260,580

Approved Agri-Futures Nova Scotia CAAP Funding:  $34,718

Project status:  In progress

 

 

Project Number:  NS0307

Project Name:  Environmental Performance Database

Recipient:  Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture

The objective of this project is to develop a comprehensive database that allows the NSFA to accurately review and report on various environmental initiatives that have been completed on Nova Scotia farms since 1999. The proposed database will document commodity, livestock units, land use, water sources, waste disposal, nutrient management, manure handling and disposal, fertilizer use, pesticide handling, fuel storage, soil management and biodiversity activities and initiatives on over 1500 farms in the province. The database will allow information to be reported based on current year and cumulative information, as well as comparisons from year to year. It will encompass each agricultural commodity and provide information for each county in the province.  The database will address recommendations in the Environmental Performance of the Agricultural Sector in Nova Scotia 2009 – a report card and to identify areas of additional need for future planning and possible funding initiatives.

Original Estimated Project Cost:   $90,675

Final Project Cost: $ 59,756.18

Original Approved Agri-Futures Nova Scotia Funding: $77,500

Final Agri-Futures Nova Scotia CAAP Funding Provided:  $50,129.97

Project status:  Completed

 

 

Project Number:  NS0308CO (NS0308CO)

Project Name:  Nutritional value and pesticide content of pollen collected by commercial honey bees Apis mellifera in the Maritime Provinces and its implication for honey bee health

Recipient:  Nova Scotia Beekeepers' Association

This study will test if the diets of honey bees that are pollinating crops (apples, blueberries, and cranberries) in the Maritimes are obtaining essential nutrients.  Winter mortality for 2008/09 in Canada was ~2x greater than long-term trends of normal mortality; this high mortality increases demand for suitable colonies for pollination (CAPA, 2009).  One of the five principal causes of this increased mortality, as decided by provincial apiculturists, was starvation (CAPA, 2009).  Additional serious problems for apiculture occur because of the common use of pesticides in agricultural practices; honey bees are sometimes more susceptible to insecticides than are target pests (CAPA, 1999).  Knowing what pesticides are in pollen is valuable for identifying possible hazardous contaminations of honey bee forage.  This project will help the agricultural sectors of the Maritime Provinces by investigating the quality of nutrition honey bees obtain when they are used for commercial pollination services.

Total Project Cost:  $87,800

Approved by all Partnering CAAP Councils:  $71,450

Approved Agri-Futures Nova Scotia CAAP Funding Portion:  $35,725

Project status:  In progress

 

 

Project Number:  NS0310CO (NB0250CO)

Project Name:  The Maritime Oilseed Guide and Technical Forum

Recipient:  Atlantic Grains Council

With the opening of the new crushing facility in Bécancour Québec in April of 2010, there is an opportunity for crop diversification for Maritime grain growers.  Since the Maritime climate is not the same as other oilseed growing regions of Canada, the growers need to learn the agronomics of growing the crop in our region. Thus, a procedure manual needs to be developed and the technical information needs to be shared with the growers in order to meet quality demands for the oilseed. The oil seed production manual for the Maritime and the technical forum will provide new and existing growers with the tools needed to grow the oilseeds successfully in our region. Subsequently, the growers will then be able to take advantage of the new markets for oilseed.

Total Project Cost:  $53,421.50

Approved by all Partnering CAAP Councils:  $40,900

Approved Agri-Futures Nova Scotia CAAP Funding Portion:  $13,633

Project status:  In progress

 

 

Project Number:  NS0312CO (NS0312CO)

Project Name:  Study factors that affect apple quality as a critical principle of a Total Quality Management (TQM) program 

Recipient:  Nova Scotia Fruit Growers Association

This three year project from the Nova Scotia Fruit Growers Association aims to provide a model for producers to use in producing high quality apples consistently.  It will assess factors in the field such as maturity timing and assessment for climatic seasonal differences.  This tool will assist producers to know how to adjust for those seasonal differences and allow the industry to adopt this TQM practice which will lead to a more competitive industry. 

Total Project Cost:  $283,750

Approved by all Partnering CAAP Councils:  $226,067.51

Approved Agri-Futures Nova Scotia CAAP Funding Portion:  $180,854

Project status:  In progress

 

 

Project Number:  NS0313

Project Name:  Evaluation of contaminants in surface and subsurface drainage water from land applied treated municipal biosolids

Recipient:  Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture

This study will evaluate whether using currently recommended rates of NVS affects water quality parameters including pathogens, nutrient concentrations, heavy metals, and specific organic pollutants that may originate from the NVS applications.  The results of this study will provide risk management and best practices information to farmers in Nova Scotia who are interested in using NVS as a way to reduce their cost of production. 

Total Project Cost:  $90,600

Approved Agri-Futures Nova Scotia CAAP Funding:  $77,000

Project status:  In progress

 

 

Project Number:  NS0315CO (NS0315CO)

Project Name:  Pesticides in honey bee hives in the Maritime Provinces: residue levels and interactions with Varroa mites and Nosema in colony stress

Recipient: NS Beekeepers' Association

This proposed research of this project from the Nova Scotia Beekeepers Association will provide Maritime beekeepers information on pesticide loads in their colonies, including a breakdown of the proportion of contaminants that are used by beekeepers (e.g. pesticides used to control Varroa mites) vs. those that from external sources (e.g. agrochemicals used by farmers) – important baseline information currently lacking in the region.  Additionally, it is predicted that this work will lead to novel insights on the inter-play between destructive honey bee pathogens and parasites, and sub-lethal pesticide residue exposures, as they relate to deleterious effects on honey bee colony health.

Total Project Cost:  $60,333.33

Approved by all Partnering CAAP Councils:  $50,833.33

Agri-Futures Nova Scotia CAAP Funding Portion:  $16,944.45

Project status:  In progress

 

 

Project Number:  NS0319CO (QP6541CO)

Project Name:  Simple Day-Neutral Strawberry Yield Prediction Method Development

Recipient: Institut de recherché et de development en agroenvironment

The project aims to develop a prediction method for weekly strawberry harvest volumes to better coordinate harvests with sales to improve profitability and competitiveness across the strawberry industry. The project will allow development of reliable and user-friendly harvest estimation tools, allowing producers to anticipate fruit yield up to three weeks in advance, as well as being useful for human-resource planning and possibly for fertilizer management.

Total Project Cost: $214,956

Approved by all Partnering CAAP Councils:  $100,000

Agri-Futures Nova Scotia CAAP Funding Portion: $5,000

Project status:  In progress

 

 

Project Number:  NS0321CO (PE0326CO)

Project Name:  Atlantic Johne's Disease Initiative

Recipient: Dairy Farmers of PEI

Johne's disease is a national priority for the dairy industry and guidelines for the implementation of provincial or regional programs have been endorsed by the Canadian Animal Health Coalition (CAHC).  The proposed program builds on previous work (both education and research) in the region and is supported by CAHC, through the Johne's program director.  The project will focus on measurable outcomes to show progression of the Johne's strategy in Atlantic Canada as a pathfinding exercise in preparation for self-sustaining regional or national programming.

Total Project Cost: $1,183,847

Approved by all Partnering CAAP Councils:  $864,000

Agri-Futures Nova Scotia CAAP Funding Portion: $266,804

Project status:  In progress

 

 

Project Number:  NS0322CO (QP6544CO)

Project Name:  Diagnostic Tool for Dairy Production: Potential Gains Anaylsis

Recipient:  Valacta

The project consists of designing a method to assess possible financial improvements in relation to management factors; determining the technical indicators for the analysis of management factors; and setting objectives to achieve those potential gains. The project will include the development of a data infrastructure and a software tool to allow advisors and their clients to carry out analyses, to explore possible corrective measures, to achieve the objectives established, and to use technical indicators to monitor progress. A protocol will subsequently be established to help advisors and their clients target short- and intermediate-term improvements, establish realistic objectives, and develop an action plan and monitoring benchmarks. Five Valacta advisors will be trained to verify the tool and the diagnostic method on 30 dairy farms.

Total Project Cost: $282,860

Approved by all Partnering CAAP Councils:  $113,000

Agri-Futures Nova Scotia CAAP Funding Portion: $11,300

Project status:  In progress

 

 

Project Number:  NS0323CO (NB0261CO)

Project Name:  Maritime Blueberry Industry COP - Collecting Data and Final Report

Recipient: Bluets NB Blueberries

This project is to develop a cost of production (COP) study for the blueberry industry using the same methodology across the Maritimes and ensuring it is comprehensive in approach to include, among other considerations, development costs, renewal costs and a return on employed capital. Activities will also include a training component to inform producers about how the COP can be used to improve and make more efficient their business operations.

Total Project Cost: $70,540

Approved by all Partnering CAAP Councils:  $56,040

Agri-Futures Nova Scotia CAAP Funding: $21,015

Project status:  In progress

 

 

Project Number: NS0327

Project Name:  Hatching Egg Producers of NS “moving forward”

Recipient:   Hatching Egg Producers Association of Nova Scotia

This project aims to develop the tools (plan, regulations, allocation system, etc) required to permit the newly formed Hatching Egg Producers Association and associated sector to become regulated under the Nova Scotia Natural Products Council.  This will reduce the risk of uncontrolled growth or expansion and possible disruption of supply which could cause harm to the whole poultry industry.

Total Project Cost:  $118,300

Agri-Futures Nova Scotia CAAP Funding:   $98,600

Project status:  In progress

 

 

Project Number:  NS0331

Project Name:  Opportunities for Nova Scotia Agriculture to Participate in Community Feed in Tariff (COMFIT)

Recipient: Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture

The renewable electricity plan announced in April 2010 is a welcome addition to the provincial strategy for electricity production.  The proposed adoption of one component of this plan, the community feed in tariff (COMFIT) seems to be a pragmatic initiative to encourage the implementation of renewable technologies at scales that should significantly impact provincial electricity generation.  According to restrictions, individual farmers are not considered eligible and must either form co-operatives or be operating as a small business under the Community Economic Development Investment funds (CEDIF) to participate.  As a representative of industry, the Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture wishes to investigate the potential and methods of enabling participation of Nova Scotia farmers in the COMFIT program.

Total Project Cost: $96,000

Agri-Futures Nova Scotia CAAP Funding: $81,000

Project status:  In progress

 

 

Project Number:  NS0332CO (PE0338CO)

Project Name:  Biochar Initiatives in Maritime Agricultural Production

Recipient: Soil Foodweb Atlantic Incorporated

Biochar is an emerging innovative product with increasing interest for its value in stabilizing soil nutrients and for carbon sequestration. However, in this area, producers have very little to no experience with it and many questions before they can consider using it on Maritime soils.  Through field trials to assess intermediate and short term impacts of using biochar, this project will:  determine if there are toxic properties in seed germination, determine optimum application rates, identify optimal media to use in application, evaluate impacts on Maritime blueberry and strawberry fields, and deliver research results for peer review.

Total Project Cost:   $61,580

Approved by all Partnering CAAP Councils:  $52,334

Agri-Futures Nova Scotia CAAP Funding Portion:  $17,448

Project status:  In progress

 

 

Project Number:  NS0340

Project Name:  Agricultural By-Products as Carbon Feedstocks to Produce Valuable Microalga Oil

Recipient: Ocean Nutrition Canada Limited

Nova Scotia has significant amounts of biomaterials that could be used as carbon feedstocks for producing valuable microalgal oil: apple waste and seaweed.  Apple waste is a significant problem for apple producers in Nova Scotia as it is challenging to discard both the waste and apple processing wastewater.  The wastewater has a high content of sugars, and thus a high biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) requiring aerobic treatment on large volumes of wastewater. Sugars in apple wastewater could be used to produce highly valuable microalga oil (oil rich in omega-3 fatty acids) through a potential direct fermentation process and this project would also diversify the use of fast growing Nova Scotia seaweed that can be used as a carbon feedstock to produce microalgae. Through this project, Ocean Nutrition will assess selected Nova Scotia agricultural carbon by-products that can be converted into valuable oil by ONC’s microalga and to optimize the fermentation process for the carbon feedstocks with most advantages in terms of abundance and microalga oil yield.

Total Project Cost: $148,287.47

Agri-Futures Nova Scotia CAAP Funding: $89,470.60

Project status:  In progress

 

 

Project Number:  NS0341

Project Name:  Piloting Quality Organic Milk Production, Processing and Marketing in Nova Scotia

Recipient: East Coast Organic (ECO) Milk Co-operative

“Organic”, “Natural”, and “Local” are fast growing segments in Canadian Food consumption. In Atlantic Canada, there is no existing processing capacity for organic milk.  Developing a local supply of organic milk products is an important opportunity, but challenging because of logistics of trucking and processing small volumes of milk in existing systems. The ECO Milk strategy is to contract a small local processor to package organic milk, thus increasing utilization of existing capacity rather than risk a heavy investment in new processing equipment and development of processing expertise. The project will lead to longer-term benefit to a growing group of dairy farmers who will benefit from the added value of organic.

Total Project Cost: $96,200

Agri-Futures Nova Scotia CAAP Funding: $60,000

Project status:  In progress

 

 

Project Number:  NS0346

Project Name:  Understanding Harvest Maturity and Storage of the New Apple Cultivar SweeTango®

Recipient: Scotian Gold Co-Operative Limited

Nova Scotia growers of SweeTango® do not presently have technical information for harvest and storage of this new cultivar. If this information is not available, the financial success of this apple in this region will not be realized. Thus, the main rationale for this project is the critical need to generate research-based information for the regional SweeTango® industry so this new apple can be successfully grown, harvested, stored and marketed.  This project will provide research-based answers for fundamental SweeTango® management issues, and identify and help solve problems that arise during its harvest, handling and storage. It will benefit the Nova Scotian (and by extension) Canadian apple industry/horticulture sector by enabling successful harvest and storage of a new niche-market, high-value apple cultivar [Peak NS production in 4 years (2015) is estimated to be 3500 bins which has an approximate commercial value of $1.75-2.10 million dollars (Cdn)]. The data generated in this study will comprise the basis for fundamental management decisions for the apple industry during harvest and storage of SweeTango®.

Total Project Cost: $147,821.50

Agri-Futures Nova Scotia CAAP Funding: $78,559.00

Project status:  In progress

 

 

Note:

·          This Summary was created based on information available as of December 30th, 2011 and is subject to change.

·          The letters CO stand for Collective Outcome where more than one Adaptation Council participates.  Where two numbers with CO are shown, the second number indicates the Council Managing the Project.  Until all potential partners have been included, the level of commitment of parties may vary.  Also, approved amounts shown for Collective Outcome projects qualify to receive ½ of that amount back from AAFC and this has not been reflected in this summary.