Government of Canada : Governments of Canada and Saskatchewan Invest in Crop Research

January 10, 2017 - Saskatoon, Saskatchewan - Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC)

Today Federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Lawrence MacAulay and Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister Lyle Stewart announced nearly $7.7 million in funding for 46 crop-related research projects through the province's Agriculture Development Fund (ADF).

The 46 projects receiving funding this year are diverse and include research on: improving plant breeding technology specifically to test for DON toxins that are the result of fusarium head blight infection in wheat; optimizing loss-sensing technology on farm equipment to minimize losses at harvest; and the development of a pulse-based replacement for shortening that can be used in baked goods, to name a few.

Today's ADF announcement leverages significant funding from industry partners, on top of government funding. A total of almost $3.7 million is being committed from partner organizations that include Western Grains Research Foundation, SaskPulse, SaskCanola, SaskFlax, Sask Wheat, and Alberta Wheat Commission.

Funding for ADF projects is provided under Growing Forward 2, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative.

Quotes

'Research in agriculture is the key to maintaining a competitive edge, and that's why the federal government, in partnership with Provinces and agriculture organizations, invests in research. These millions of dollars invested into crops research in Saskatchewan over the years will help create growth and put more money in the pockets of farmers within the sector.'

- Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food

'Ongoing investments into research and development provide Saskatchewan farmers and ranchers the ability to be competitive in the global marketplace, while producing food sustainably. Continual innovation through the ADF leads to improved crop varieties, more value-added processing and cutting edge farming practices and knowledge, keeping our agriculture industry strong.'

- Lyle Stewart, Saskatchewan Minister of Agriculture

'We are appreciative of the funding provided through ADF that enables collaboration and the ability to make advancements across the Saskatchewan agriculture sector. Amongst the funded projects are ones looking to address key priority areas for pulse growers such as weed control and pest management in pulse crops.'

- Carl Potts, Executive Director, Saskatchewan Pulse Growers

'We welcome governments' continued commitment to agricultural innovation. The CDC has released more than 450 new varieties of crops since its inception, varieties that today account for significant acreage across the prairies, illustrating just how significant an economic contribution research makes to the agricultural economy. We look forward to continuing this important work.'

- Kofi Agblor, Managing Director of the Crop Development Centre (CDC), University of Saskatchewan.

Quick Facts

• ADF funding is part of the $26.8 million the Government of Saskatchewan committed to agriculture research for 2016-17.
• For more information, and to see a complete list of funded projects, visit Saskatchewan.ca and search 'Agriculture Development Fund'.

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Saskatchewan Agriculture
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