Through a continuing co-funding partnership with the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture – Agriculture Development Fund (ADF), the Strategic Research Initiative (SRI) under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP) and other producer groups, WGRF is pleased to announce up to $5.1 Million of new funding for 25 crop-related research projects.

“WGRF remains focused on investing in research that will help lead to improved crop production for farmers,” says WGRF Board Chair, Laura Reiter. “ADF continues to do a great job of bringing together producer groups to collaborate and efficiently fund research in key areas that will help us as farmers.”

The projects being funded include research into improved varietal resiliency to environmental stresses and diseases for wheat, canola, pea, lentil, oats and flax, as well as research into soil health, understanding and mitigating diseases and weeds, and new strategies to improve crop production. A full listing of projects will be posted on the WGRF website once research contracts are in place.

The Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture’s Strategic Research Initiative provides targeted funding to advance strategic priorities and address complex challenges facing the agriculture and agri-food sectors. The five-year project is being led by Dr. Sabine Banniza at the University of Saskatchewan and will look at a comprehensive approach to address root rot in pulses. Total funding for the project is more than $4.4 million, WGRF is investing more than $500,000. Other co-funders of the SRI project include the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture, Alberta Pulse Growers, RDAR, and Manitoba Pulse & Soybean Growers.

“Farmers are committed to investing in agricultural research through WGRF,” says WGRF Executive Director, Wayne Thompson.  “Partnerships that include provincial and federal funding create opportunities to maximize the benefit and impact of the producer dollars we invest into crop research right across Canada.”