This series highights 6 agricultural crops found in SK. These Legacy Caches are placed for SCAR 2018. To keep your smiley from being harvested, please do not find or log before 5:30 Friday May 25th.
Canary Seed: The scientific name for canaryseed is Phalaris canariensis, and as the name would suggest, the crop originated in the Canary Islands. Saskatchewan has become the world’s leading producer and exporter of canaryseed, with the production used almost exclusively as a component of feed mixtures for caged and wild birds. There are two main types of canaryseed, itchy and hairless. Most of the Saskatchewan acreage is still comprised of the itchy varieties, which have tiny, sharp hairs (spicules) at the base of the seed. The crop is very suitable for the straight combine method of harvesting.
Currently there is research into using the seed in some form for human consumption. To date, its all about feeding the birds.