PHOTO: From left: Alberta Seed Guide editor Marc Zienkiewicz; SeCan western business manager Todd Hyra; University of Saskatchewan Agricultural Economist Stuart Smyth; SeedNet science advisor and retired wheat breeder Rob Graf; and Canadian Wheat Research Coalition chair and farmer Dean Hubbard took part in today’s panel discussion at the CrossRoads Crop Conference.
The funding model for plant breeding in Canada is at a crossroads. The impending withdrawal of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) from commercializing field-ready cultivars has sparked a conversation about how to fill the resulting gap without losing decades of investment in infrastructure and expertise.
That was the premise of a panel discussion held today at the CrossRoads Crop Conference in Edmonton and facilitated by Alberta Seed Guide editor Marc Zienkiewicz. Panelists were Todd Hyra, western business manager for SeCan; Stuart Smyth, agricultural economist at the University of Saskatchewan; Canadian Wheat Research Coalition (CWRC) chair and farmer Dean Hubbard; and SeedNet science advisor and retired AAFC wheat breeder Rob Graf.
Key points included AAFC’s shift towards upstream research, the need for collaboration with universities and private sectors, and the importance of maintaining a robust innovation pipeline. Metrics showed that 75% of wheat varieties come from AAFC, with 21-25 million acres of wheat production in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. The discussion emphasized the need for new funding models, public-private partnerships, and the role of farmers in advocating for continued investment in agricultural research.
“If the federal government truly wants to exit [the development of field-ready cultivars], what fills that gap? How do we ensure we don’t lose a century’s worth of resources and investment? This is about having meaningful discussions with the federal government and industry stakeholders to collaboratively determine where responsibilities begin and end,” Hyra said.
The concern is not just about the financial aspect but also about maintaining a thriving research and development pipeline for Canadian agriculture. Smyth, who runs the saifood.ca blog, to lessons from other countries.
“The U.K. changed its funding model about a decade ago, and they got it wrong. They saw a significant decline in variety development over the next five to six years. They had to revisit and make major adjustments. Australia, on the other hand, got it right. They invest around $100 million annually into wheat variety development, with farmers contributing a larger share than in Canada. That’s not what farmers here want to hear, but it raises an important question: If the federal government steps back, who steps up?”
Smyth highlights that policymakers in Ottawa expect producers to shoulder more of the financial burden.
“Rightly or wrongly, that’s the expectation. The key now is to study what has worked in other jurisdictions, avoid past mistakes, and build a uniquely Canadian model that reduces the financial strain on farmers while ensuring long-term sustainability.”
Graf added another layer to the discussion, emphasizing the need for clarity from AAFC.
“Right now, we’re hearing vague statements about changes coming within three years. We don’t know exactly what those changes will be, making it difficult to plan effectively. The industry needs straight answers so we can develop a solid transition strategy.”
Despite AAFC’s expected retreat, Graf points out that universities remain key players in plant breeding.
“The Crop Development Centre in Saskatchewan is a standout in variety development. The University of Alberta is ramping up its wheat breeding efforts, and there’s some winter wheat breeding at the University of Manitoba. Having publicly funded varieties in the market provides farmers with alternatives, fostering competition and helping keep prices in check.”
Innovation is often cited as a means to accelerate plant breeding and reduce costs, but Graf remains cautious.
“We hear about new tools all the time, but many of these methods—like winter nurseries, speed breeding protocols, and doubled haploids—have been around for decades. The idea of reducing testing to speed up variety release isn’t a good solution. Less testing means greater risk. Our current registration system may be seen as outdated by some, but in cereals, it’s one of our biggest strengths.”
Hubbard noted that the voting members of the CWRC are farmers, and it’s crucial that farmers have a voice in the discussion.
“Get involved with your commissions. Go to the regional meetings, go to the AGMs. It’s really important that we feedback as to what you’re looking for, what you want, what you need. And I think that’s the big thing. Don’t be afraid to speak up.”
He also emphasized the need for government support. “As far as funding goes, speak to your MLAs and MPs about the importance of funding agricultural research. We keep seeing slippage at this level, and it’s just going to get more and more expensive for you and me to fund this research. We’ve got to speak to our elected officials.”
Supporting certified seed systems is another critical component, Hyra noted.
“If you’re buying certified seed every year, thank you. You’re doing your part to keep plant breeding strong. If you’re buying seed every couple of years, still not bad. If you’re buying seed every 10 years and then waiting for the next variety, that’s not helping. Supporting the systems that are there now to allow us to continue to invest is an important piece of all of this.”
