b'Manitoba: Dependence MeetsAlberta: Data, Diversity and Farmer Determination ConfidenceIn Manitoba, the potential closure of theIn Alberta, the potential loss of Lacombe Portage la Prairie research facility hascarries implications that extend beyond sharpened awareness of just how inte- breeding itself.grated public breeding has been in theSarah Weigum, president of the Prairie seed system. Alberta-British Columbia Seed Growers Ellis recently reviewed his own opera- (ABCSG), sits on a variety registration tions records. recommending committee and sees The vast majority of what we processfirsthand how critical regional testingwheat, flax, ryehas come throughinfrastructure is to the system.the public breeding system, he says.Facilities like Lacombe and Indian For decades, Portage has hosted trials,Head host disease nurseries that provide field days and research programming thatstandardized screening for barley, wheat feed directly into variety performanceand other crops. Beyond disease data, data used by seed growers and farmersagronomic trials across multiple sites alike. ensure varieties are tested under diverse Its a big loss anytime one of thesePrairie conditions.places closes or even reduces capacity,The Prairies are enormous, Weigum Ellis says. says. Soils vary. Weather patterns vary. Yet his tone is measured rather thanYou cant replicate 10 testing sites withSarah Weigum serves as president of the alarmist. The central issue, he argues, isfive and expect identical results. Alberta-British Columbia Seed Growers not merely preserving the past structure. The issue is not simply scientific pre- Association.The question isnt just how to reversecision. It is farmer confidence.a decision, he says. Its how to create aWhen farmers have strong data positive outcome. about performance in their region, AAFC RESEARCH STATION CLOSURES TRIGGER EMERGENCY STUDY IN OTTAWAThe House of Commons Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food is now underway with an emergency study into the federal governments planned cuts to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), as MPs from multiple parties warn the changes could permanently weaken Canadas public agricultural research system.Deputy Minister Lawrence Hanson appeared before the committee on Tuesday, Jan. 10, joined by senior officials Alain Lagac and Andrew Goldstein, as MPs pressed the department for answers on workforce reductions and the planned closure of research facilities.AAFC is moving ahead with plans to eliminate roughly 665 positions and close seven research centres and farms in Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, Manitoba, Alberta and Saskatchewan. Hanson told MPs the cuts are being driven by federal budget targets, including a requirement to deliver $154.7 million in savings by 202829 under a government-wideThe federal government is moving ahead with plans to eliminate roughly expenditure review. 665 AAFC positions and close seven research centres.Committee members focused heavily on the impact on scientific capacity. Officials confirmed that at least 27 research scientist positions are beingthe move as a shift toward consolidation and increased partnerships eliminated, with concerns raised over whether critical research programswith universities and other institutions. including work tied to food security and production innovationwillThe committee is expected to continue its emergency study over at least be disrupted. four meetings, with Agriculture Minister Heath MacDonald anticipated Conservative MPs also singled out the planned closure of long-standingto testify in the coming hearings. Industry groups and provincial research sites such as Indian Head, arguing the facilities play a key rolestakeholders are also expected to appear as the committee builds its not only in science, but in rural economies. Department officials defendedrecord.MARCH 2026SEEDWORLD.COM/CANADA 11'