Don't cut the science that pays the bills

"AAFC's regional research network is Canada's only coordinated system capable of evaluating new crop genetics and management practices across diverse agro-ecological zones. These sites generate the multi-location, multi-year data that determine whether a new variety actually performs under heat, drought, disease pressure, and variable soils. Without that validation, farmer risk increases and adoption slows."

"AAC Brandon, Canada's most widely grown wheat variety for the past decade, was developed using data from Indian Head, Regina, Swift Current, Scott, and Lacombe, all part of the network now facing closure. AAC Coldfront, the highest-yielding winter wheat developed for western Canada, depended on testing at Lacombe, Indian Head, and Portage la Prairie. These varieties did not succeed by accident."

"Wheat breeding alone generates an estimated 32:1 benefit-cost ratio. Every dollar invested yields thirty-two dollars in returns to farmers, taxpayers, and consumers. Very few government programs can make that claim."

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's plan to close research stations across provinces threatens Canada's agricultural infrastructure while administrative overhead remains largely untouched. The regional research network is essential for evaluating new crop genetics and management practices across diverse agro-ecological zones, generating multi-location, multi-year data that determines crop performance under various conditions. Successful wheat varieties like AAC Brandon and AAC Coldfront were developed using data from multiple research stations now facing closure. Wheat breeding alone generates a 32:1 benefit-cost ratio, making it one of the highest-returning public investments. Eliminating half the Prairie research network removes the only national field-level system capable of producing credible crop validation data.

Read at Realagriculture