Field Day on Pulse Agronomy and Breeding

Pulses can play an important role in the rotation of organic and conventional farms and become a major contributor to transitioning towards more sustainable diets. In Canada, the heart of pulse production is by far located in the Prairies. However, dry bean production is well established in southern Ontario, with equal potential in Quebec.

The team at the Pulse Breeding and Genetics Lab is dedicated to breeding new varieties of pulses - dry beans, chickpeas, lentils and peas - that are adapted to conventional and organic conditions, as well as regional environmental conditions, including drought and humidity and clay soils. This visit will include briefings at the various trial plots being conducted this season.

This open field day is convening members of the food and farming community interested in connecting with others in the value chain, learning more about how to grow pulse crops effectively and how breeding programs are organized to deliver new varieties. This activity is open to farmers, consumers, chefs, health and agricultural professionals and processors.

Please note that registration is mandatory and that this visit is exclusively outdoors and subject to weather conditions.

Program :

• 8:00am-8:30am: Arrival and coffee at the Emile A. Lods Agronomy Research Centre at 20965 Sainte Marie Rd, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec H9X 3V9. Please join us directly in the field
• 8h30-9h: Introduction of participants, roundtable and review of the goals of the day.
• 9h-9h30: Intervention of Gilles Audette, President of Agri-fusion on the legume market, trials and varieties and organic weeding and harvesting methods
• 9h30-11h30 : Presentations from members of the Pulse Breeding and Genetics Laboratory at field stations (30 min each).
• 11:30-12:30: Round table on the development of the sector (networking, training, events, projects, etc..)
• 12h30-13h30 : Lunch (Catering offered to participants)