Canada investing in Atlantic region grain and oilseeds sector

Expected to focus on regional issues such as growing conditions, production challenges and agronomy, the funds would be given to the Atlantic Grains Council via the AgriScience Program – Projects Component, an initiative under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, the 15 July report said.

As part of the initiative, researchers would explore ways to adapt to a changing climate and enhance soil health, while improving the production and quality of grains and oilseeds to remain sustainable and competitive into the future, World Grain wrote.

One of the key project activities would be the Yield Enhancement Network (YEN), to help local farmers better understand their yield potential.

The YEN would also provide a real-time snapshot of trends affecting the production, yield, quality and environmental impacts of grains and oilseeds, the report said.

“The agricultural sector is an important economic driver for our region,” Malpeque MP Heath MacDonald was quoted as saying when announcing the funding on 11 July on behalf of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.

“With this funding to the Atlantic Grains Council, scientists will be focusing on issues important for farmers, to provide the best possible outcomes.”

In addition to the AgriScience Program investment, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and the provincial departments of agriculture in the Maritimes would jointly invest an additional C$1.25M (US$900,650) in Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership funding in the project.

With 233 grain and oilseeds farms in Atlantic Canada, the sector generated approximately C$113.8M (US$81.9M) for producers in 2023.

At the time of the report, more than 270,000 acres (109,000 ha) of barley, canola, corn, grain, oats, rye, soyabeans and wheat had been planted in Atlantic Canada, with the majority of grains and oilseeds crops providing feed for livestock and aquaculture sectors.

“By investing in research that helps producers better adapt to the unique climate and soil conditions here in Atlantic Canada, we can help them increase their production and stay competitive,” minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Lawrence MacAulay was quoted as saying.

Established in 1984, the Atlantic Grains Council’s focus is on research and represents all grain and oilseed producers in the Atlantic region, including barley, corn, oats, peas, wheat, soyabeans and wheat.

The AgriScience Program, under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, aims to accelerate innovation by providing funding and support for pre-commercial science activities and research that benefits the agriculture and agri-food sector.

“As producers, we face many challenges as we produce our crops, adapt to climate change and address food security,” Atlantic Grains Council chair Roy Culbertson said. “We need research to help find a path forward.”

Source: OFI