When you hear the word lupin, you might think of those purple-pink flowers that dot landscapes and ditches across Canada. However, in this instance, lupin refers to a pulse crop that's becoming a crop to watch in Canadian agriculture.

Researchers at Sarda Ag Research in the Peace Region of Alberta are exploring the potential of lupin, which is high in protein, rich in nutrients, and could have considerable potential for farmers.

"Lupin is similar to how we got into industrial hemp," says Vance Yaremko, Executive Director for Sarda Ag Research. "We're always looking for alternatives here in the Peace Region, because we're mainly known for canola and wheat."

While the pulse market has been growing in that part of the province, Yaremko says there have been some challenges. "We've hit a snag with Aphanomyces being quite detrimental to the product. Lupin has a resistance to this, so we feel there is potential for it to be somewhat of a replacement."