Richard Allan Tingskou

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Richard Tingskou is originally from Winnipeg Manitoba where he studied microbiology at the University of Manitoba. In 2013 Richard completed a work term as a Research Assistant with Agriculture Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) at the University of Saskatchewan. His work focused on the application of secondary fungal products as a biological weed control agent under the supervisor of Dr. Karen Baily. In 2014 Richard accepted another work term with AAFC in St. John’s NL under the supervision of Dr. David McKenzie, his research explored the utility buckwheat to inhibit wireworm populations and mycorrhizal fungi associations in lowbush highbush blueberry hybrids. Charmed by Newfoundland Richard transferred to Memorial University and obtained a BSc. in Cell and Molecular Biology. In 2016 Richard was hired by the Government of Newfoundland as Research Scientist where he conducted on farm trials, plot research and demonstration projects. His work included incorporating annual legumes into livestock feed rotations, pasture improvement, assessing forage quality and small-scale horticulture feasibility. While working he completed a MSc. in Boreal Ecosystems and Agriculture Science from Grenfell Campus, Memorial University under the supervisor of Dr. Adrian Unc. His MSc. explored the utility of organic waste from aquaculture as a nutrient source for agriculture activity in a recently converted boreal Podzol. Richard is currently registered as a Professional Agrologist (P.Ag.) and recently became a Certified Crop Advisor (CCA). As of June 2023 Richard took on a role with the Agriculture Business Development Division, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador coordinating the Resilient Agriculture Landscape Program (RALP).

Research Interest

  • Land Use conversation and intensification
  • Agronomic beneficial management practice climate change adaptation
  • Organic waste utilization
  • Application of ecological Stoichiometry as a beneficial management tool
  • Nutrient cycling in boreal ecosystems

Education, designations, certifications

  • in Boreal Ecosystems and Agriculture Science, Grenfell Campus, Memorial University
  • BSc, Cell and Molecular Biology, Memorial University,
  • Professional Agrologist (P.Ag.), Newfoundland and Labrador Institute of Agrologists
  • Certified Crop Advisor (CCA), American Society of Agronomy

Blog

project

Biochar and Fish Waste for Soil Fertility

Farms in the northern cold-climate regions of Canada are: (1) small (<100ac) and thus not amenable to large scale farming protocols; (2) are established either on less fertile soils that…

article

Impact of fertilizer source on the dynamics of carbon and nutrients in a podzol designated for land-use conversion. 

Tingskou, R., &  Unc, A. (2023).  Soil Use and Management,  39,  1491–1503. https://doi.org/10.1111/sum.12906 Boreal lands have long been considered unsuitable for agriculture. Climate change projections support a shift towards increased agricultural production in boreal ecosystems via…