The recent cuts at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada have taken a toll. More than 665 employees have been let go, and seven research facilities across the nation are set to close.
Each facility has its own significant contributions that benefit the public, as do the researchers working there. The resignation of respected wheat breeder Richard Cuthbert from the Swift Current, Sask., research station creates a void that needs to be filled by spring if we want to keep developing better wheat varieties.
We don’t yet know all the consequences of these cuts, but this is a critical moment for farmers and citizens to raise their voices and demand accountability. We can’t just shrug it off with a defeatist attitude; that only leads us into complacency and reinforces the idea that cuts will be our future norm.
Read Also KAP flags risky trade for Manitoba farmers
Tariffs, market access uncertainty, trade diversification and export infrastructure are key topics at Keystone Agricultural Producers (KAP) annual meeting.
It would also be unwise to think that “privatization” is our only option going forward. The truth is several Canadian private companies pay fees for using these facilities and collectively benefit from this research.
Most farmers recognize how valuable these government institutions are. The results on our farms speak for themselves. We see new varieties emerging while nurturing long-term researchers in the public sector as essential for tackling future food productivity challenges and supporting Canadian farmers both locally and globally.
A significant issue is that we measure productivity gains from breeding efforts by bushels per acre but fail to capture other benefits of public plant breeding adequately. Simply put, while support exists for this work, conveying its value can be tough.
Diving into the economic impact reveals impressive findings. A major study in Saskatchewan led by Richard Gray showed:
Taxpayer investments of $370.6 million between 1995 and 2020 generated a cumulative benefit of $11.8 billion for the Canadian economy. Every single dollar invested in wheat by governments returned $31 to Canadians. When we included producer contributions through joint funding efforts, this return increased to over $70.
The study concluded “… these breeding programs should be supported by all parties with the aim of enhancing capacity and sustaining these effective relationships over time.”
This type of information needs to reach decision-makers in government-especially now when Canada’s economic interests are top priority on policy agendas. Agriculture and food-related research shouldn’t fall victim to mere budget cuts (literally).
A particularly concerning loss will be Dr. Myriam Fernandez’s organic program in Swift Current. It has been one of the few long-term studies addressing production challenges faced by organic and regenerative farmers in Canada. Just as government encourages farmers to adopt more climate-friendly practices, it’s cut one of the very few programs focused on doing so effectively.
There’s still much we need to learn about soil microbial activity and how we can use those natural processes in agriculture. This work relies on knowledge rather than profit motives; it’s incredibly difficult to replace once lost. I worry these actions are reminiscent of scrapping Canada’s Avro Arrow back in the 1950s when Canada was leading globally in aerospace design.
To summarize, these cuts:
Disregard crucial production issues based on unbiased knowledge since there’s no way to reasonably monetize or replace that work (low returns). Encourage profit-driven mechanisms like high end-point royalties that redirect farmer dollars into investors’ pockets. Create a gap preventing future advancements due to losing programs and researchers who need consistent experimental funding year after year-private companies won’t cover those costs; everyone loses.
The outcome feels like amputating a farmer’s leg then offering them an expensive prosthetic while charging them every month just for use.
We must ensure Ottawa understands what’s really at stake here-and advocate for reversing this decision.
Farmers, now’s your chance to write those letters-start with your local MP before moving up the chain!
Dean Harder farms near Lowe Farm, Manitoba. He’s involved with the Manitoba regional council of the National Farmers’ Union and previously served as director at what was once known as Manitoba Wheat and Barley Growers Association.
![]()
Crops, markets, industry policies, livestock production news-and updates sent straight to your inbox six days a week!
Source link
Source link
