Avena Customer and Farmer Appreciation Day 2026
The fifth annual Avena Customer and Farmer Appreciation Day (CAFAD) was held on July 15. Clear blue skies greeted 85 participants as they arrived for the field event at Avena’s Rowatt, Saskatchewan facility, just south of Regina.
Many thanks to everyone who attended and contributed to a fantastic day, with a huge shout out to event and sample partners: Bob’s Red Mill, Catalina Crunch, Collective Impact Ag, Danone, HIPPEAS, Huel, MADEGOOD (Riverside Natural Foods), Old Dutch, Once Upon a Farm, Only Oats, Prairie Fava, Protein Industries Canada, South East Research Farm, Uncle Crumbles, Warburtons, and Winkler Meats.
Experimental Plot Tour
Experimental Research Plots once again provided a wealth of information, showcasing regenerative agricultural practices (including intercropping, cover cropping and pollinator strips) in addition to many varieties of oats, chickpeas, lentils and peas.
At first glance, the plots were unimpressive, due to a late start in a cold, wet Spring. A closer inspection, led by Avena Procurement Director, Mike Gallais, and South East Research Farm (SERF) Executive Director, Lana Shaw, unveiled many interesting stories.
The plots tour helped us to gain insights on farming practices for improving productivity along with soil health, water conservation, biodiversity, and natural habitat. It generated discussion between attending farmers, seed growers, plant breeders, agronomists, agri-business suppliers, and food and beverage manufacturers.
Participants were walked through soil collection by Lana and the SERF team for demonstrations later in the day that showed innovative practices can increase long-term soil resiliency. Brix tests were taken to observe crop quality with results passed around, providing a hands-on experience with a basic plant health test routinely done on Canadian Prairie farms.
Spring weather conditions were evident in the poor showing of clover, which was almost undetectable in the oat/clover intercrop plots. But conditions were obviously ideal for other pollinators that were thriving and in full bloom.
Avena’s new high-protein oat, Propell, compared well with adjacent plots with oat varieties that are already popular with Avena Purity Protocol farmers. Jim Dyck of Oat Advantage, was in the field to answer questions about Propell.
A new high protein non-GMO chickpea from NuCicer Inc. was also on view. It promises to deliver 50% more protein and 25% less fat than standard chickpeas.
Soil Health Demonstrations with Lana Shaw
The team at SERF walked the group through a series of soil health indicators. The sponge analogy is a popular example Lana uses to represent the soil’s ability to absorb water. A big puffy sponge with lots of air cells provided a visual representation of the importance of aeration in the soil and water absorption. A sponge towel, in comparison, visually represents compacted soil and its inability to efficiently absorb water, risking runoff.
Different soil types from the local region were also put on display under a tabletop rainfall simulation. This compact and portable device was used to demonstrate how rain water interacts with different land surfaces with varying soil management practices. Water is poured into an overhead drip mechanism and tubs underneath and in front of the soil sample tray collected water, measuring surface runoff and underground infiltration. Soil samples included native prairie grasslands, high saline, no-till land, no-till land with intercrop, and tilled land.
Lastly, Lana’s team demonstrated a simplified method of measuring soil aggregate stability using the SLAKES app. The test is free and a quick way to evaluate how well soil clumps resist breaking apart when exposed to water or mechanical stress (Soil Health Institute).
Tabletop Displays from Experimental Plot Partners
Attendees checked out tabletop displays from participating companies Only Oats, Prairie Fava, Swat Maps (Croptimistic Technology) and MadeGood.
Sustainability and Regenerative Agriculture Presentations
Margaret Hughes and Mike Gallais announced Avena Regen Ag Protocol (ARAP) organic gluten-free oats will be available beginning this fall. ARAP conventional gluten-free oats were introduced at last year’s CAFAD event.
Through ARAP, Avena partners with farmers and brands to provide verified regenerative agriculture systems and traceable ingredient solutions. ARAP farmers have implemented farm practices that promote biodiversity, and regenerate soil and water systems.
Christine Milberg of Only Oats shared her company’s experience transitioning to ARAP gluten-free oat ingredients and the resulting growth and new opportunities. Learn more about Only Oats here.
Rachelle Murrison and Bonnie Dobchuk of SWAT MAPS (Croptimistics Technology), partners in a Sustainability Impact Project with Avena and HIPPEAS, presented on the benefits of using high-resolution soil, water and topography mapping to make efficient use of inputs to the soil and provide data for making decisions on regenerative and sustainable agricultural practices. Bonnie showed examples of using this precision technology for intercropping, maintaining soil cover, reducing erosion, and driving positive land change.
Shenali Madhanaroopan and Maighan Watson of Riverside Foods shared details about the Regenerative Organic Oats (ROO) program, highlighting how they are working with Canadian Organic Growers to incentivize and reward positive change on Canadian organic farms.
Thank you partners. Pictured below left to right: Mike Gallais and Margaret Hughes, Jennifer Evancio, Shannon Knibbs and Laurie Gillies in front of Once Upon a Farm flag; Muhammad Junaid Afzal, Lana Shaw and Fallon, SERF flag; Shenali Madhanaroopan, Dan Fedsin, Maighan Watson and Margaret Hughes, MadeGood flag; Michelle Doerksen, Meaghan Fehr, Cale Jefferies, Mel Pawlyk, Margaret Hughes and Michelle Hofer, Prairie Fava flag; Margaret Hughes, Cassie McCrory, Dan Fedsin, Avena flag; Margaret Hughes, Carson Milberg, Meaghan Fehr, Christina Milberg, Only Oats flag; Margaret Hughes and Michelle Doerksen, Winkler Meats and Protein Industries Canada flags.
