Ontario Agriculture

The network for agriculture in Ontario, Canada

AAFC: Quinoa And Amaranth - A New Place To Grow These Crops?

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) scientists in Guelph, Ontario are studying the nutritional benefits of Ontario-grown quinoa and amaranth as part of a project to determine the potential for introducing these South American grains to Ontario.

This year has been declared “The International Year of the Quinoa” by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations.

Dr. Rong Cao, a scientist at AAFC’s Guelph Food Research Centre is examining the antioxidant values of both quinoa and amaranth. In recent years, these native South American foods have become popular in North America for their gluten-free and nutritional benefits. Quinoa is one of a few grains with a complete essential amino acid profile (amino acids are the building blocks of protein) and has many nutritional benefits.

“If we can produce quinoa and amaranth in Ontario, it can give local farmers lucrative new crops to grow and give consumers a healthy local product to buy,” Dr. Cao said.

His research is part of a project being led by the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association to determine how different varieties of quinoa and amaranth can be adapted to Ontario climate, soils, and environment.

“My role was to assess the effect of the environment and genetics on the nutritional value,” notes Dr. Cao.

His initial studies on amaranth focussed on the nutritional values of the leaves, which are used as a vegetable in many cultures. After assessing both green and purple-coloured leaves he found the highly pigmented amaranth leaves had higher levels of antioxidants than the green ones.  Similar results have been found with quinoa leaves.

Dr. Cao and a graduate student will continue their research on these two foods over the next two years. He wants to have a better understanding of the phytochemicals involved in these products and will be looking at the biomarkers for anti-inflammatory aspects of various foods.

The Guelph Food Research Centre is one of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's network of 18 research centers. Located in Guelph, Ontario, the Centre specializes in food safety, quality and nutrition, and is committed to ensuring that food produced in Canada continues to be among the safest and of the highest quality in the world.

 

From AAFC News Release.

Views: 343

Comment

You need to be a member of Ontario Agriculture to add comments!

Join Ontario Agriculture

Agriculture Headlines from Farms.com Canada East News - click on title for full story

Agriculture and agri-food events build momentum around Agriculture Enlightened conference

EMILI’s annual Agriculture Enlightened conference is taking place on October 23, 2025, at the Delta Hotel in Winnipeg. This year’s theme is Driving Agriculture Innovation. Together we’ll explore how farmers and others in the Canadian agriculture industry are adopting agtech, discuss ways to navigate the shifting global trade landscape, and connect with leaders advancing innovation across Canada. A number of EMILI’s partners are hosting amazing agriculture and agri-food events the same week as Agriculture Enlightened 2025. Whether you’re looking for something to do ahead of Agriculture Enlightened or continue networking afterwards, check out these upcoming events.   Young Entrepreneurs Awards Hosted by MEIA, League of Innovators, and Manitoba Innovates Wednesday, October 22, 4:30pm – 9:00pm Location: The Metropolitan Entertainment Centre 400+ nominations, 6 awards, and 1 big night to celebrate Canada’s greatest young entrepreneurs and the future of sustainability! Purchase tickets

St. Benedict educator and farmer receives Farm and Food Care Saskatchewan’s Champion Award

For the past decade, Farm & Food Care Saskatchewan recognizes a person who strives to engage consumers about agriculture and helps farmers build public trust in our province and beyond. The Champion Award was presented Tuesday morning in Saskatoon to Sandra Hessdorfer from St. Benedict. Sandra, her husband and two teenage sons have a grain farm and black angus cattle. Her off-farm job is the Ag Education Officer with the Horizon School Division. Her duties include delivering presentations, supporting school programs, and organizing an annual Student Ag Day for all Grade 10 students. The event is held in Humboldt and attracted 570 students and their teachers from across the Horizon School Division, which is the largest by area in the province. Hessdorfer is also a past-chair of Women in Ag and has been active with Ag in the Classroom and Saskatchewan 4-H. CJWW Agriculture Director Neil Billinger spoke to Sandra shortly after she received her award.

Indefinite pause placed on Crown land sales

A two-year moratorium on Crown land sales expired in August, and plans were made for an October auction which had already been advertised online. Nearly 4,500 acres of cultivated and grazing farmland was split into 18 lots. That sale is being paused at the request of the Ministry of Agriculture. There has been opposition voiced by the NDP and Indigenous people. Late last week, Premier Scott Moe told reporters “it was a case of where we just got a little bit ahead of ourselves in that process starting again.” In a statement, the Government of Saskatchewan explained the parcels of land that were going up for auction had previously been leased agricultural land where the leases had been surrendered or cancelled.

Mustard millers relish investment tax credit

G.S. Dunn Limited (G.S. Dunn) is investing approximately $30 million to grow its mustard milling facility in Bow Island supported by a $3.1 million Agri-Processing Investment Tax Credit (APITC) from Alberta’s government. The project has created 34 new jobs and allowed G.S. Dunn to access two new markets in Japan and South Korea. The expansion will also increase its purchase of raw mustard seed from $13 million to $44 million with all seed coming from western Canada. “Investors continue to choose Alberta as a place to establish roots, grow and expand because it makes good business sense. The Agri-Processing Investment Tax Credit is just one of the ways our government commits to creating ideal conditions for businesses while attracting investment, diversifying the economy and creating more jobs for Albertans.” RJ Sigurdson, Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation The Bow Island expansion is the second phase of G.S. Dunn’s value-added mustard milling project. Since its initial expansion

Canada Post strike affecting Harvest Sample Program

Farmers can drop off harvest samples in person at multiple locations

© 2025   Created by Darren Marsland.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service