Big questions around public research and plant breeding as Manitoba Crop Alliance celebrates 5 years

"It's a big part of MCA. Our funding for wheat breeding is a big investment that we make on behalf of Manitoba producers and their check-off dollars. There's still going to be some ongoing. We're just trying to figure out what the effect these cuts are going to have on these programs and where we might have to step up."

"Obviously these cuts are going to have a big effect, and some of the effects are unknown right now. Unfortunately, we don't have all the details yet. MCA has some research at Lacombe, for example,"

The Manitoba Crop Alliance celebrated its fifth anniversary at the CropConnect Conference in Winnipeg, representing farmers who grow wheat, barley, corn, sunflowers, and flax. Cuts at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada create uncertainty about federal roles in agricultural research and plant breeding. One of seven AAFC research facilities slated to close is Lacombe, where MCA conducts research. Wheat breeding funding represents a major investment paid from Manitoba producers' check-off dollars and remains a core program, but planned cuts may reduce capacity and require MCA or other stakeholders to increase support. MCA marks accomplishments since amalgamation; smaller-acreage crops have benefited from collaboration.

Read at Realagriculture