A series of agricultural research projects in southern Alberta are receiving funding from the University of Lethbridge. (Photo: Hydromet | Dreamstime.com)

By David Opinko

U of L funding agriculture research

Nov 27, 2024 | 11:29 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – A series of research projects will look into ways of improving agricultural practices in southern Alberta.

The University of Lethbridge (U of L) is providing $50,000 per year over four years to support five researchers at the institution.

Vice President of Research Dr. Dena McMartin says the results of these initiatives will be extremely relevant and important to the region.

The projects receiving funding include:

• Dr. Neha Vaid, an assistant professor in the biology department, will study the potential for millets as a sustainable crop for marginal lands and as an aid in carbon sequestration and prevention of soil erosion in southern Alberta. She will test 11 millet varieties to analyze their potential as livestock feed, their impact on soil health, and seed and biomass yield.
• Dr. Michele Konschuh, an associate professor in biology, will evaluate soil health in newly irrigated land parcels and compare it to land irrigated for longer periods. By comparing newly irrigated land, previously irrigated land and never irrigated land, Konschuh hopes to learn about the changes that occur when irrigation is introduced and what parameters need to be maintained to preserve soil health.
• Dr. Dan Johnson, a professor in the geography and environment department, hopes to improve the forecasting of drought-related insect pests like grasshoppers. Johnson will conduct a spring survey of the grasshopper population to update the breeding survey usually conducted in late July and early August of the previous year. Johnson aims to develop better methods of forecasting grasshopper population growth, especially during droughts.
• Dr. Hardeep Ryait, a professor at the Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience, will work on a project to improve sustainability and reduce the environmental impacts of livestock operations. Ryait wants to create a proof-of-concept livestock feedlot operation that incorporates solar panels for animal welfare, both for shade and electrical production. Cattle health would be monitored through an AI-powered video imaging system and radio-frequency identification (RFID) would be used to monitor feeding and watering behaviour to improve growth.
• Dr. Paul Hazendonk, a professor in the chemistry & biochemistry department, will explore the production of biofuels from algae using hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL).

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The university is teaming up with Lethbridge County, the St. Mary River Irrigation District (SMRID) and the Lethbridge Northern Irrigation District (LNID) for the research.

Lethbridge County CAO Cole Beck says, that as the most productive agricultural community in the province, he recognizes that collaboration and sustainability are critical to success.

“We’re proud to partner with the University of Lethbridge, LNID and SMRID to support research projects that will move the ag industry forward by seeking innovative solutions to challenges,” says Beck. “We also appreciate the willingness of local producers to participate in research that will impact the future of agriculture in southern Alberta.”

Lethbridge County has more than 297,000 irrigated acres of land.

READ MORE: Lethbridge News Now

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