b'WITHOUT STRONG INSTITUTIONS CONDUCTING TRIALS, WE CANT FULLY EVALUATE HOW A VARIETY WILL PERFORM ON FARMS.Jeremy BoychynThis shift has led to concerns that variety development, particularly near- FEDERAL INVESTMENT IN AGRI-FOOD RESEARCHcommercialization activities, is no longer viewed as impactful for SCAPs goals. ON THE DECLINEThe federal governments evolv-ing stance has created a challenge, asIn 2012, Canadian governments were funding about 80% of the $700 million directed toward producers have relied heavily on publicagri-food bioscience R&D, according to the 2021 report Canadian plant breeder opinions variety development, she says. AAFCsregarding changes to plant breeders rights. While this underscores the governments historical attempts to step back fromcommitment to supporting agricultural innovation, the reality is more concerning when inflation commercialization stages, including ais taken into account, the report notes.2012 proposal and the controversial value creation discussions aimed at imple- Over the last three decades, total public research investment in agriculture has steadily menting a farm-saved seed royalty, havedecreased in real terms, despite nominal increases in spending. This reduction in funding faced strong resistance. Despite efforts toaffects the scale and capacity of public plant breeding programs, especially as research costs transition AAFCs role, consultations inrise and new challenges like climate change demand greater innovation.2019 failed to create a nationwide royaltyAs federal contributions shrink, the burden falls increasingly on provincial governments, scheme, leaving unresolved issues around the funding and future of public breed- industry, and producer checkoffs, which may not be sufficient to sustain critical advancements ing programs. in crop variety development.So, a bit of a mess has been created over the past decade. If government doesnt develop alternative funding programs to replace variety development investment through clusters, and thehappen in a labit requires real-worldBoychyn says.market signals to attract private invest- trials, notes Jeremy Boychyn, directorThe success of new varieties really ment and capacity building have beenof research for Alberta Grains. This ishinges on how they perform across vari-jammed, we need to agree on a pathwhere collaboration becomes critical.ous regions, and we need robust systems forward, Comin says. Alberta Grains recently joined Westernin place to test that. Alberta Grains, for The proportion of producer leviesCrop Innovations as a member, makinginstance, or any breeding institution, that are directed towards public varietya $375,000 contribution to assist it in itsdoesnt operate in a vacuum. They work development can be increased, but therebreeding work. within a larger ecosystem.are limits here, too. Commission pocketsWithout strong institutions conduct- Thats why long-term core breeding are not bottomless, especially those withing trials, we cant fully evaluate how aagreements are so important now, he smaller production shares, and therevariety will perform on farms. Its a col- adds. They ensure that each institution are countless other priorities begginglective effort, where breeding institutionsis contributing value where its needed for their attention. There is more needpass genetics back and forth, asking ques- most for Western Canadian producers. for research than there are dollars to gotions like, Can you test this in this area?Its about making sure that every around. or How does it perform under differentdollar spent contributes to a bigger In the meantime, farmers still needconditions? To do that effectively, thosepictureidentifying gaps, addressing the field performance of new varieties toinstitutions need adequate funding, sothem, and driving results that benefit be adequately assessed. This doesnt justthey can carry out these trials properly,farmers across the region. JANUARY 2025 SEEDWORLD.COM/CANADA 29'