Grain Farmers Of Ontario Appreciates The Federal Government’s Commitment To Agriculture Research

Guelph, ON  – Grain Farmers of Ontario, the province’s largest commodity organization, representing Ontario’s 28,000 barley, corn, oat, soybean and wheat farmers, today acknowledges the important contribution to agriculture research announced by the Government of Canada.

Today, at Woodrill Farms Ltd., Guelph MP Lloyd Longfield announced the new Cropping Systems Cluster on behalf of the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food. This new funding of up to $5.7 million from the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (SCAP) AgriScience Program will be matched by an additional $4.8 million from industry for a total investment of up to $10.5 million over five years. The Cropping Systems Cluster will target corn, oat, and soybean advancements.

“Canadian growers are confronting heightened global crop demands and are relying on research to secure top-tier varieties offering robust disease resistance, improved yields, and unparalleled quality, and to identify practices that may reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve the environment resiliency of crop production. The latest SCAP funding is poised to bolster our farmers' enterprises, amplifying Ontario grains' international standing as premium, sustainably cultivated crops,” said Jeff Harrison, Chair, Grain Farmers of Ontario.

Grain Farmers of Ontario is a founding member of the Canadian Field Crop Research Alliance (CFCRA), which will lead the Cropping Systems Cluster. Through the CFCRA, Grain Farmers of Ontario also supports eastern Canadian wheat research in the Canadian National Wheat Cluster.

The Cropping Systems Cluster will receive up to $5.7 million from AAFC to improve the adaptability and value of these crops and ensure competitive and sustainable options for farmers.

“We are pleased with the federal government’s commitment to agriculture,” said Crosby Devitt, CEO, Grain Farmers of Ontario. “Grain farming in Ontario is responsible for 90,000 jobs in the province. The investments in corn, oat, and soybean research through the Cropping Systems Cluster will keep these crops profitable and sustainable for Ontario farmers, increasing quality and yields while finding new solutions for environmental stressors like drought and diseases. This work will also contribute to understanding practices that might allow farmers to contribute to Canada’s climate targets. Research is the key to meeting those objectives.”

SCAP is a five-year, $3 billion investment by federal, provincial and territorial governments to strengthen the agriculture and agri-food sector. SCAP builds on the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, the previous five-year agreement that ended on March 31, 2023.

The CFCRA is a not-for-profit entity founded in 2010 with an interest in advancing the economic and environmental sustainability of field crops in Canada, particularly barley, corn, soybean, oat, and wheat. The CFCRA is comprised of provincial farm organizations and industry partners, including Atlantic Grains Council, Grain Farmers of Ontario, Producteurs de grains du Québec, Manitoba Pulse & Soybean Growers, Manitoba Crop Alliance, Saskatchewan Pulse Growers, Prairie Oat Growers Association, SeCan, and FP Genetics.

Investment in research is a long-term strategic initiative of Grain Farmers of Ontario for the benefit of all barley, corn, oat, soybean, and wheat farmers, with more than $1.85 million invested in 2023. Find more information about Grain Farmers of Ontario’s research investments in its Research Project Database: https://gfo.ca/research/research-project-database/.