b'RETAIL STRATEGYMy biggest fear is that we becomeLessons From Other Sectorsa net exporter of intellectual capital,Some see parallels in other infrastruc-Derkatch says. If we cant provide long- ture-heavy sectors. Reid points to airport term, sustainable employment opportuni- authorities as a potential model: federally ties, those innovators will go elsewhere. owned land and infrastructure managed The global competition for plant- by independent authorities operating breeding talent is intensifying. Emergingwith greater flexibility.technologiesgenomic selection, geneWe cant replace federal infra-editing, digital phenotypingdemandstructure, he says. But maybe we can both capital and expertise. Countriesstaff and manage activities there more that provide stable funding environmentsefficiently.and clear pathways for commercializationConsultations are underway. Industry will attract both. meetings, including those of the Prairie We should have an own theGrain Development Committee, have podium mindset, Derkatch argues,become focal points for discussion. invoking Canadas Olympic strategy.National organizations such as SeedsJocelyn Velestuk, chair of the Canadian Wheat We should be attracting leading expertsCanada and the Canadian FederationResearch Coalition, notes that farmers fund from outside Canada to invest here. of Agriculture are pressing the issue inalmost half of wheat breeding in Canada.Ottawa. Grain Growers of Canada is Public, Privateand Clarity encouraging research growth.The debate over plant breeding inTheres solidarity across the indus-Canada has long oscillated betweentry, Reid says. Thats encouraging.public and private camps. But most industry leaders now reject the binaryThe Retailers Stakeframing. The Canadian system has, until now, The future has to enable both, saysdelivered a steady stream of elite varie-Derkatch. Foundational, pre-competitiveties. What would signal that the system research, he argues, is best conducted in ais back on track?public setting. It produces the raw mate- For Derkatch, clarity is paramount: rials of innovation and serves a broadclear delineation of foundational and public good. From there, both public andfinishing roles, transparent funding private breeding programs can build andframeworks and evidence that Canada compete. remains attractive to talent and capital.Equally important is clarity aroundFor Velestuk, it is stability aligned roles. Who funds what? Who manageswith breeding timelines. A long-term which sites? How are returns on innova- view, she says. SeCan General Manager Jeff Reid notes tion distributed? And how are publicFor Reid, it is collaboration in action:moving a seed increase unitresponsible for goods preserved while private investmentindustry staff co-located on federal sites,producing early-generation seedcan take is incentivised? shared use of infrastructure, and a senseyears.Industry leaders speak of movingthat short-term crises have been trans-beyond five-year funding cycles towardformed into long-term reforms.longer-term frameworks aligned withThis isnt about panic, Reid insists. the 10-to-15-year timelines of breedingChange happens in every industry. The programs. question is whether we use this moment Its about building somethingto build something stronger.Watch/listen to our full-sustainable, Velestuk says. Breedinglength webinar on this very topic! Simply scan is long-term work. The system needs tothe QR codereflect that.SUPPORTED BY: ENDORSED BY:38 SEEDWORLD.COM/CANADA MARCH 2026'