Governments of Canada and Saskatchewan Invest in Crop Research

Released on January 15, 2025

Canada's Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Lawrence MacAulay and Saskatchewan's Minister of Agriculture Daryl Harrison today announced a total of $9.4 million in funding for crop-related research, in addition to $5.4 million in co-funding from industry partners for a combined total of $14.8 million in 2025.

Invested through Saskatchewan's Agriculture Development Fund (ADF) under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP), the commitment supports a total of 53 approved research projects on a variety of topics that will help advance the industry. This investment is part of Saskatchewan's 2024-25 budget of $37 million for agriculture research.

"By investing in research, we're investing in the future of the country's agriculture industry," MacAulay said. "This funding will provide research organizations the dollars they need to investigate solutions to production issues and to develop new opportunities for our crops sector, which in turn helps farmers compete globally and boost their bottom lines."

"Investments in research are foundational to the sector," Harrison said. "Over the last five years, we have invested almost $50 million into crop-related research through the ADF. That's the kind of support that helps our producers stay competitive and profitable in international markets, and helps Saskatchewan to keep setting the bar higher for sustainable practices and innovation in agriculture."

The ADF uses an annual competitive process to support selected research projects which have the potential to enable growth and enhance sustainability and competitiveness in Saskatchewan's agriculture industry. The range of topics covered by the 2025 ADF projects include mapping soil carbon sequestration in Saskatchewan cropland, examining alternative genetic mechanisms for resistance to the wheat stem sawfly, and studying the effects of a pea-based beverage on bone health to prevent osteoporosis and bone fracture. 

The Governments of Canada and Saskatchewan work closely with industry partners to leverage funding to support research that aligns with industry priorities. This year's ADF projects were supported by an additional $5.4 million contributed by the following industry partners:

• Alberta Grains;
• Alberta Pulse Growers;
• Manitoba Crop Alliance;
• Mustard 21 Canada;
• Saskatchewan Barley Development Commission;
• Saskatchewan Forage Seed Development Commission;
• Saskatchewan Oilseeds Development Commission;
• Saskatchewan Pulse Growers;
• Saskatchewan Wheat Development Commission; and
• Western Grains Research Foundation.

"The continued support from federal and provincial governments of the ADF is greatly appreciated," Sask Wheat Board Chair Jake Leguee said. "The funding supports Sask Wheat's research priorities in areas such as disease and insect pressures, weed management, fertilizer management, germplasm and trait development, and more. These investments will work to address growers' top concerns and work to improve profitability and competitiveness."

The ADF is supported through Sustainable CAP, a five-year, $3.5 billion investment by Canada's federal, provincial and territorial governments that supports Canada's agri-food and agri-product sectors. This includes $1 billion in federal programs and activities and a $2.5 billion commitment that is cost-shared 60 per cent federally and 40 per cent provincially/territorially for programs that are designed and delivered by provinces and territories.

For more information, including a full list of the above projects, please visit our website. 

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