$7M funding supports crop research alliance

Woodstock, ON – The Canadian Field Crop Research Alliance (CFCRA) has received $7 million in funding from the federal government to lead a research cluster in developing improved strains of grains.

The alliance will bring together scientific expertise for research in key areas such as developing innovative field crop varieties with the specific traits.

“This five-year plant breeding initiative addresses the unique climates and specialized markets across Canada. We look forward to the development and release of improved corn, soybean, barley, and oat varieties desired in our regions and down the value chain,” said Crosby Devitt, CFCRA’s chair.

The research cluster will tap into the expertise of scientists based in research centres across the country. AAFC researchers will collaborate on several priorities, including providing Canada’s field crop growers of soybeans, corn, oats and barley with enhanced varieties with higher yield, lower input, and greater disease resistance. 

The cluster is supported under Growing Forward 2, as part of the AgriInnovation Program, a five-year initiative of up to $698 million meant to serve as a catalyst for innovation by supporting research, development, commercialization, and adoption of innovative products, technologies, and services.