JULY 2026  SEEDWORLD.COM/CANADA   1
July 2026  •  Contents
FEATURES
04
18
22
CPBI ’26: Six Leaders Advancing 
the Future of Plant Genetics
The 2026 CPBI Awards shine a 
spotlight on the scientists and 
students redefining what’s possible in 
Canadian crop development.
Canada’s Plant Breeding System Is 
At a Crossroads
Federal research closures, slowing 
investment, and global competition 
are forcing the agriculture sector to 
rethink how crop innovation gets 
funded. We dive into it all in Seasons 1 
and 2 of On the Brink.
The Scientist Who Never 
Forgot the Farm
After more than four decades in 
agricultural research, retiring plant 
pathologist Kelly Turkington leaves 
behind a legacy rooted not only in 
science, but in humility, relationships, 
and a deep respect for the people 
who grow the crops.
Teaching Machines to 
Read Plants
With imaging platforms, aerial analysis 
and growing datasets, breeders 
are beginning to shorten selection 
timelines and improve accuracy.
Canada Makes Its Case to 
Global Seed Investors
At the ISF World Seed Congress, 
industry and government leaders 
explain why seed innovation in 
Canada is making the country a faster, 
more competitive destination.
Why the Fertilizer Crisis Won’t 
End When the War Does 
A fragile fertilizer system meets 
geopolitical shock, exposing deeper 
cracks in supply, pricing, and farmer 
profitability that won’t disappear when 
conflict subsides.
32
37
40
06
The Pea That Almost Got Tossed Is 2026’s Seed of The Year
CDC Meadow survived a near miss in the breeding pipeline to become a yellow pea powerhouse.

View this content as a flipbook by clicking here.