In a significant boost for grain and oilseed producers in Atlantic Canada, Heath MacDonald, Member of Parliament for Malpeque, announced an investment of up to $3,045,781 over the next five years to support the Atlantic Grains Council. This funding, part of the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership’s AgriScience Program – Projects Component, aims to address regional conditions, production challenges, and agronomic practices in the local agricultural sector.
Supporting local agriculture
Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, emphasized the importance of this investment. “As a farmer myself, I know firsthand the challenges that producers can face when it comes to getting their top-quality products to market. By investing in research that helps producers better adapt to the unique climate and soil conditions here in Atlantic Canada, we can help them increase their production and stay competitive.”
Heath MacDonald echoed this sentiment, highlighting the economic impact of the agricultural sector in the region. “The agricultural sector is an important economic driver for our region. These hard-working men and women need access to resources to ensure they stay on the cutting edge. With this funding to the Atlantic Grains Council, scientists will be focusing on issues important for farmers, to provide the best possible outcomes.”
Focus on research and innovation
The funding will enable the Atlantic Grains Council to undertake various research activities aimed at enhancing soil health, adapting to climate change, and improving the production and quality of grains and oilseeds. One of the key initiatives supported by this funding is the Yield Enhancement Network (YEN). This program helps farmers understand their yield potential and identify factors limiting their production, providing valuable insights into crop performance.
Roy Culberson, Chair of the Atlantic Grains Council, expressed gratitude for the support. “As producers, we face many challenges as we produce our crops, adapt to climate change, and address food security. We need research to help find a path forward. I want to thank Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada for supporting this project through their programs and their science team, the provinces for their contribution, and to the producers who contribute their Research Check-off contributions.”
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, along with the provincial departments of agriculture in the Maritimes, are jointly investing an additional $1.25 million in this project, reflecting their commitment to supporting local agriculture. Atlantic Canada is home to 233 grain and oilseeds farms, which generated approximately $113.8 million for producers in 2023. In 2024, more than 270,000 acres of barley, canola, grain, corn, oats, rye, soybeans, and wheat have been planted across the region. These crops predominantly serve the livestock and aquaculture sectors, highlighting their critical role in the local agricultural economy. This collaborative investment aims to enhance the sustainability and competitiveness of these essential agricultural activities.
This investment is part of the AgriScience Program’s broader goal to accelerate innovation in agriculture, providing funding for pre-commercial science activities and research that benefit the sector and Canadians. The program is currently accepting applications, encouraging further advancements in agricultural practices.
The Atlantic Grains Council project aligns with the program’s priority areas of Environment and Climate Change, Economic Growth and Development, and Sector Resilience and Societal Challenges, ensuring that the research conducted will have a meaningful impact on the agricultural community.
