Prairie canola research to benefit from $6M agreement

Regina, SK – A new $6-million federal government-grower group agreement is paving the way for better coordination of larger scale canola agronomy research projects by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) researchers across western Canada.

The Prairie Canola Agronomy Research Program (PCARP) is the result of an agreement involving Canola Council of Canada, along with the Alberta Canola Producers Commission (ACPC), the Manitoba Canola Growers Association (MCGA), the Saskatchewan Canola Development Commission (SCDC), and AAFC.

The support by growers in this agreement demonstrates just how much growers value AAFC agronomy research, says Clarence Assenheimer, chairman of ACPC’s research committee.

“This new agreement builds on the huge success of ACPC’s previous 10 year commitment to research with AAFC,” he says. “With our $1 million investment, we saw tremendous gains in canola agronomy research that has enhanced the sustainability of this industry.”

A newly established management committee is responsible for ensuring that all projects fit with the research direction of each of the three provincial grower groups. A canola agronomy workshop is planned for 2009, which will allow for research updates and discussion, as well as refinement of research priorities for the upcoming year.

“Being able to leverage grower dollars through AAFC program funding means more money can be directed to better canola agronomy projects,” says Wayne Bacon, SCDC’s research chair. “Our money not only goes further, but we also have a hand in directing what type of projects are done.”