Canada’s plant breeding funding model is at a turning point. With Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) preparing to step away from commercializing field-ready cultivars, a crucial question arises: how do we fill the gap without losing decades of infrastructure and expertise?
That was the focus of a panel discussion at the CrossRoads Crop Conference in Edmonton, led by Seed World Canada editor Marc Zienkiewicz. Panelists included Todd Hyra, western business manager for SeCan; Stuart Smyth, agricultural economist at the University of Saskatchewan; Canadian Wheat Research Coalition (CWRC) chair and farmer Dean Hubbard; and SeedNet science advisor and retired AAFC wheat breeder Rob Graf.
The discussion highlighted AAFC’s shift toward upstream research, the need for stronger collaboration between universities and private industry, and the importance of maintaining a robust innovation pipeline. Currently, AAFC contributes to 75% of wheat varieties in Canada, supporting the 21-25 million acres of wheat grown across Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. As the federal government withdraws, new funding models and public-private partnerships must emerge.
“If AAFC truly wants to exit the development of field-ready cultivars, what fills that gap?” Hyra asked. “How do we ensure we don’t lose a century’s worth of investment? We need meaningful discussions with government and industry to determine where responsibilities begin and end.”
Smyth, who runs the saifood.ca blog, pointed to lessons from other countries.
“The U.K. changed its funding model a decade ago—and got it wrong. Variety development declined for five to six years before they had to make major adjustments,” he said. “Australia, on the other hand, invests about $100 million annually in wheat variety development, with farmers covering a larger share than in Canada. That’s not what farmers here want to hear, but it raises an important question: if the federal government steps back, who steps up?”
Policymakers in Ottawa, he added, expect producers to shoulder more of the cost.
“Rightly or wrongly, that’s the expectation. The key now is to learn from other jurisdictions, avoid past mistakes, and build a Canadian model that ensures long-term sustainability without overburdening farmers.”
Graf underscored the need for transparency from AAFC.
“We’re hearing vague statements about changes coming within three years, but no clear plan. The industry needs straight answers to develop a solid transition strategy.”
Despite AAFC’s retreat, universities remain key players in plant breeding.
“The Crop Development Centre in Saskatchewan leads variety development, the University of Alberta is ramping up its wheat breeding efforts, and the University of Manitoba continues its work on winter wheat,” Graf noted. “Having publicly funded varieties in the market fosters competition and keeps prices in check.”
While innovation is often cited as a way to accelerate breeding and cut costs, Graf warned against reducing testing to speed up variety release.
“We hear about new tools all the time, but many—like winter nurseries, speed breeding, and doubled haploids—have been around for decades. Cutting back on testing increases risk. Our current registration system may seem outdated to some, but in cereals, it’s one of our biggest strengths.”
