NewsLine by Cole's Ag on February 6, 2026, 9:32am

Grain sector warns of information gaps in AAFC research reductions, calls for immediate program impact disclosure

Feb. 6, 2026 (Ottawa, Ont.)—Grain Growers of Canada is calling on the federal government to provide clarity on the impacts of recent staffing reductions and announced closures or consolidations of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada research facilities, stating that downstream consequences cannot be assessed without clear, program-level information. 

“Transparency is essential when decisions affect the foundation of Canada’s agricultural research system,” said Scott Hepworth, chair of Grain Growers of Canada and Saskatchewan grain farmer. 

“Without clear disclosure of what research capacity is being reduced or eliminated, the sector cannot understand the long-term risks to production and competitiveness,” he added. “It must be clear what capacity is being lost, where, and with what consequences.” 

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada has cited personnel confidentiality in limiting details on the announced changes. Grain Growers of Canada emphasized that while personnel confidentiality must be respected, it does not, and should not, prevent disclosure of which programs and research capacities are being impacted. 

“Personnel confidentiality is not a barrier to clarity on program impacts,” Hepworth said. “Clarity of affected programs, facilities, and research capacity is both possible and necessary.” 

The scale and pace of the announced reductions are raising serious concerns across the grain sector about long-term impacts on research capacity, regional expertise, and innovation pipelines. Decisions of this magnitude require clear impact assessments explaining how applied breeding programs, agronomic research, long-term datasets, and region-specific expertise were evaluated. 

“The absence of clear information shifts risk directly onto the sector,” Hepworth said. “When institutional knowledge is lost, long-term datasets are broken, or regional research expertise disappears, those losses cannot simply be reversed, and the consequences will be felt long after these decisions are made.” 

Grain Growers of Canada stressed that the release of timely, detailed information is essential. Early certainty around affected facilities, programs, and timelines would allow research partners and producer organizations to respond, mitigate disruption, and protect the integrity of ongoing research and production cycles. 

Grain Growers of Canada is calling for immediate disclosure of affected programs, facilities, and research capacity, and will continue to engage with government to ensure decisions affecting 

Canada’s agricultural research system do not undermine its global competitiveness, long-term viability, or farmers’ livelihoods. 

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About Grain Growers of Canada (GGC): 
As the national voice for Canada’s grain farmers, Grain Growers of Canada (GGC) represents over 100,000 producers through our 15 national, provincial and regional grower groups. Our members steward 120 million acres of land to grow food for Canadians and for 160 countries around the world, creating $45 billion in export value annually. As the farmer-driven association for the grains sector, GGC champions federal policies that support the competitiveness and profitability of grain growers across Canada. 

For more information, please contact: 
Hana Sabah 
Senior Communications Manager 
Grain Growers of Canada 
514-834-8841 | hana@graingrowers.ca 

NewsLine by Cole's Ag on June 10, 2025, 9:00am

CWRC commits nearly $20 million to AAFC wheat breeding activities

June 10, 2025 (Carman, MB; Saskatoon, SK; Calgary, AB) – The Canadian Wheat Research Coalition (CWRC) has committed $19.9 million over the next three years to a core breeding agreement (CBA) with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) for the development of field-ready wheat varieties.

The new agreement will ensure Prairie farmers can continue to access high-quality wheat varieties and associated genetics from AAFC’s breeding programs for years to come.

“This agreement is about making sure Canadian wheat farmers continue to have access to top-quality varieties that perform in the real world,” said Dean Hubbard, CWRC chair and a farmer near Claresholm, AB. “By supporting AAFC’s breeding work, we are helping tackle some of the biggest challenges on the farm, like disease, pests and tough weather, while keeping our focus on the quality standards our customers count on.”

CWRC funding via the 2025-28 CBA will support the development of field-ready Canada Western Red Spring, Canada Western Amber Durum, Canada Prairie Spring Red, Canada Western Soft White Spring and Canada Western Red Winter wheat varieties that reduce business risk and enhance competitiveness for western Canadian farmers.

AAFC will aim to develop wheat varieties with strong resistance to diseases such as Fusarium head blight, rusts and leaf spotting diseases, as well as insect pests such as orange wheat blossom midge and wheat stem sawfly. AAFC will also prioritize new varieties that can withstand adverse environmental conditions such as heat and drought stress. Strict quality standards will ensure all new varieties address market needs.

“Researchers with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada have been breeding wheat for 100 years, supporting Canadian farmers in maintaining their global reputation for producing a premium product,” said the Honourable Heath MacDonald, federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food. “This investment will ensure our farmers have wheat varieties that can better overcome disease and weather challenges, and maintain Canada’s competitive advantage in cereal production.”

CWRC investment through the new CBA is divided among the organization’s founding members by a funding shares agreement. The CWRC also maintains CBAs with the University of Saskatchewan Crop Development Centre, the University of Manitoba and the University of Alberta.

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MEDIA CONTACTS:

Cole Christensen
Communications Manager
Manitoba Crop Alliance
403-589-3529
cole@mbcropalliance.ca

Andrea Lauder
Communications Manager
Saskatchewan Wheat Development Commission
306-653-7967
andrea.lauder@saskwheat.ca

Harley Groeneveld
Senior Manager, Communications and Marketing
Alberta Grains
403-371-2132
hgroeneveld@albertagrains.com  

About the Canadian Wheat Research Coalition:
The Canadian Wheat Research Coalition (CWRC) is a collaboration between Manitoba Crop Alliance, the Saskatchewan Wheat Development Commission and Alberta Grains aimed at improving the net relative profitability of wheat for western Canadian farmers. The CWRC facilitates a collaborative approach to producer funding of regional and national research projects in variety development and agronomy.

NewsLine by Cole's Ag on June 12, 2024, 10:58am

AAFC Announces New Canadian National Barley Cluster

June 12, 2024 (Saskatoon, SK) – Earlier today, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) announced a new Canadian National Barley Cluster, a significant initiative aimed at advancing barley production in Canada. With a value of $9.6 million over five years, this Cluster will drive research efforts to enhance the competitiveness and resilience of the Canadian barley industry.

More than just a financial commitment, the Barley Cluster represents a united front in securing the future of the barley value chain. Administered by the Canadian Barley Research Coalition (CBRC), the new Barley Cluster will fund research projects that advance feed barley, barley genetics, agronomy, disease resistance and sustainability to make it a more resilient and profitable crop for Canadian farmers and end users.

“Barley provides a high-quality grain to many industries like the livestock sector, while malting barley supports the Canadian brewing industry,” said the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food. “This research will help producers incorporate climate-resilient barley crops into their operations to increase the profitability of their farms.”

“Barley is an important crop on my farm and on grain farms across the country,” said Cody Glenn, CBRC Chair and farmer from Climax, SK. “We are really pleased to have this long-term research funding that will help keep barley a profitable and sustainable option in our crop rotations.”

AAFC is investing up to $5.25 million through the AgriScience Program – Clusters Component, an initiative under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership. Additionally, over $4.3 million will come from producer and private organizations across the country. These allies include:

  • Alberta Grains
  • Beef Cattle Research Council
  • Brewing and Malting Barley Research Institute
  • Canadian Field Crop Research Alliance
    • Atlantic Grains Council
    • Grain Farmers of Ontario
    • Producteurs de grains du Québec
    • SeCan
  • CBS Bio Platforms
  • Manitoba Crop Alliance
  • Saskatchewan Barley Development Commission (SaskBarley)
  • Western Grains Research Foundation

“The Canadian barley industry must look to the future and ensure barley is a competitive crop choice for farmers in terms of yield, pest and disease resistance and crop quality,” said Jill McDonald, CBRC President and SaskBarley Executive Director. “Research conducted through this Cluster will help us meet these challenges head on by building on the advances we made in the previous Cluster and ensuring barley can remain productive and sustainable.”

Founded in 2020, CBRC stands as a testament to collaboration and innovation, uniting Alberta Grains, SaskBarley and Manitoba Crop Alliance in a shared mission to elevate western Canadian barley through long-term research investments.

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For more information, contact:

Shelley Lagassé
Program Manager
CBRC
Cell: 204-688-8399
slagasse@barleyresearch.ca

NewsLine by Cole's Ag on March 25, 2024, 3:01pm

Grain Growers of Canada Applauds Government Boost to Farmer Support Through Enhanced Loan Program

March 25, 2024 (Ottawa, ON) – Grain Growers of Canada applauds the Government of Canada’s announcement today to offer a $250,000 interest-free portion of the Advance Payments Program (APP) this year to farmers across Canada. APP advances are important in supporting the cash flow of grain farmers to meet their financial needs until they’re able to sell their grain.

“We commend Minister MacAulay and the government for this announcement that will support thousands of grain farmers across the country,” stated Andre Harpe, Chair of GGC. “With the rising cost of inputs and low grain prices at harvest, a higher interest free portion of the APP is needed.”

GGC recognizes the importance of early announcements like this, which provide both predictability and stability, ensuring that grain farmers and administrators can efficiently plan their financial strategies for the year ahead. GGC looks forward to working with the government to ensure the APP continues to support grain farmers.  

Kyle Larkin, Executive Director of Grain Growers of Canada, is available for interview.

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About Grain Growers of Canada (GGC):

As the national voice for Canada’s grain farmers, Grain Growers of Canada (GGC) represents over 65,000 producers through our 14 national, provincial and regional grower groups. Our members are trade oriented, sustainable and innovative. As a farmer-driven association for the grains industry, GGC advocates for federal policy that supports the competitiveness and profitability of grain growers across Canada. Learn more at: www.GrainGrowers.ca.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Hana Sabah
Communications Manager
Grain Growers of Canada
hana@graingrowers.ca | 514-834-8841

NewsLine by Cole's Ag on March 6, 2024, 3:00pm

CWRC to administer new, $20-million Canadian National Wheat Cluster

March 6, 2024 (Carman, MB; Saskatoon, SK; Calgary, AB) – Valuable wheat research across the country will receive crucial funding through the newly announced Canadian National Wheat Cluster, worth more than $20 million over five years.

Administered by the Canadian Wheat Research Coalition (CWRC), the Wheat Cluster will fund research projects that advance wheat genetics, agronomy and sustainability for the benefit of Canadian farmers.

“Wheat is a vital crop in the rotations of grain farmers across the country,” said Jake Leguee, CWRC chair, who farms near Fillmore, SK.

“The investment in research through the Wheat Cluster will keep wheat profitable and sustainable for Canadian farmers, increasing quality and yields while finding new solutions for environmental stressors like drought and diseases like Fusarium head blight. Farmers have been practicing minimum tillage and nutrient stewardship for decades, and the activities funded under this will enhance those practices, allowing farmers to contribute further to the Government of Canada’s climate targets.”

Winnipeg North MP Kevin Lamoureux announced the new Wheat Cluster this afternoon on behalf of the Hon. Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food. Over $11.2 million in funding for the cluster will come from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP) AgriScience program, while over $9.3 million will come from producer and private organizations from across Canada, represented by:

  • Manitoba Crop Alliance (MCA)
  • Saskatchewan Wheat Development Commission (Sask Wheat)
  • Alberta Grains
  • Western Grains Research Foundation
  • Canadian Field Crop Research Alliance

“Canada’s reputation for world-class wheat depends on a strong research network, working together from coast to coast,” said Lori-Ann Kaminski, CWRC president and research program manager for cereal crops with MCA.

“In the previous Wheat Cluster, we made great strides toward innovations that will provide tangible benefits to Canadian wheat farmers for many years to come. I am confident the new cluster will be another triumph of teamwork across the wheat value chain.” The CWRC is a collaboration between MCA, Sask Wheat and Alberta Grains aimed at improving the net relative profitability of wheat for western Canadian farmers.

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MEDIA CONTACTS:

Cole Christensen
Communications Manager
Manitoba Crop Alliance
403-589-3529
cole@mbcropalliance.ca

Dallas Carpenter
Communications Manager
Saskatchewan Wheat Development Commission
306-653-7967
dallas.carpenter@saskwheat.ca

Jonathan Anderson 
Director, Communications, Marketing & Events
Alberta Grains
403-371-2132
janderson@albertagrains.com

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