Genesis Fertilizers chooses Sask. for urea plant

Jan 12, 2023

The plant will process 700,000 MT annually

By Diego Flammini
Staff Writer
Farms.com

A new urea production plant could be constructed in Saskatchewan.

Following two years of discussions with the provincial government, Belle Plaine could be the home of Genesis Fertilizers’s 700,000 MT farmer-owned urea plant.

This “SuperCenter” would be a fertilizer storage and blending facility, have the capability to load trucks from rail cars and the capability to unload trucks and rail cars at a rate of 800 tons per hour.

Genesis is in the process of securing land to build the facility on, and equity and capital to finance the project, which is estimated to cost around $1.7 billion.

The plant will also create more than 130 full time jobs once urea production begins.

This fertilizer plant will benefit farmers across Canada, said Barrie Mann, vice president of investor relations with Genesis.

"Canadian farmers will be the real winners with Genesis Fertilizers positioned to move forward,” he said in a statement. “Whether from B.C., the Prairies, or Eastern Canada, if this project is completed, being a farmer-investor will help farming operations manage their fertilizer costs, supply availability and ultimately keep industry profits local.”

Farmers are excited about the potential this plant could bring.

John Lloyd, a farmer from the Rosetown area, locked in an offtake agreement (an arrangement between a producer and a buyer to purchase or sell portions of the producer’s upcoming goods) for the urea he uses directly from the Belle Plaine location.

“There is no reason farmers can’t own a fertilizer plant, we use urea every year and we use a lot of it, why not go direct to farm?” he said in the Genesis release. “This will be a game changer for current and future generations.”

Video: How a Desire to Lead Brought This Wheat Breeder to Canada

Gurcharn Singh Brar is a wheat breeder whose path meandered from the breadbaskets of Punjab, India, to the sprawling fields of the Prairies. In a candid conversation, Brar shared insights into his journey, the challenges faced, and the undying passion that fuels his quest for better crops.

It all began with a childhood rooted in the wheat fields of Punjab, where agriculture isn’t just a livelihood but a way of life. His fascination with wheat and its potential led him to pursue a bachelor’s degree in agricultural sciences at Punjab Agricultural University. It was during this time that he encountered the spectre of rust diseases, particularly stripe rust, which plagued the region’s wheat crops. Determined to combat this menace, he set his sights on a journey that would take him across continents.

Venturing abroad for his graduate studies, he found himself in Saskatchewan at the Crop Development Centre (CDC), working under the mentorship of renowned researchers like Randy Kutcher and Pierre Hucl. Here, he delved deep into the world of wheat genetics, focusing on stripe rust resistance — a quest that would shape his academic pursuits for years to come.

After completing his master’s and Ph.D. in six and a half years, he embarked on a professional journey that would see him traverse academia and research. From brief stints as a research officer to landing his dream faculty position at the University of British Columbia’s Plant Science program, his career trajectory was marked by a strong drive to make a difference in the world of wheat.

Despite the allure of British Columbia’s unique agricultural landscape, he found himself wanting to return to the vast expanses of the Prairies, where wheat reigns supreme. He recently returned to the Prairies and is the new wheat breeder at the University of Alberta in Edmonton.

“The opportunity to lead an established wheat breeding program at the University of Alberta was a dream come true. With the necessary resources and infrastructure in place, I’m excited to drive innovation and develop high-yielding wheat varieties tailored to the unique conditions of northern Canada,” he says.

Brar, one of Seed World Canada‘s 2024 Next-Gen Leaders, has become known for identifying novel sources of resistance to priority diseases and his efforts in developing wheat germplasm with multiple disease-resistant traits.

In addition to his groundbreaking research, Brar is committed to mentoring the next generation of agricultural scientists.

“I believe in nurturing talent and empowering students to pursue their passions,” he says. “Watching my students grow and thrive in their research endeavours is hugely rewarding.”

As he looks ahead, Brar’s vision for the future of wheat breeding is clear: “My number one target is to develop high-yielding wheat varieties adapted to the northern climates of Canada. By focusing on early maturity and strong straw traits, we can maximize yield potential while ensuring resilience to environmental challenges.”

His decision to also join the Prairie Recommending Committee for Wheat, Rye, and Triticale (PGDC) executive as member-at-large came from a desire to play an even more important role in the world of Canadian cereals.