Investment worth up to $1.2 million
By Diego Flammini, Farms.com
A government investment into Manitoba’s corn and soybean sectors will be used for research projects aimed at increasing production and unlocking access to more global and domestic markets.
The investment, worth $1.2 million, will also help support the purchase of equipment and closing the gap between current equipment capacity and agronomic research needed for producers and processors to succeed.
“Our government is pleased to support this exciting project that will result in increased production and expand access for producers in growing domestic and global markets,” said Candice Bergen, Minister of State for Social Development and Member of Parliament for Portage-Lisgar, on behalf of Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification Michelle Rempel. “This is an excellent example of how industry, academia and government can work together to strengthen the economy.”
The Manitoba Corn Growers Association, Manitoba Pulse Growers Association, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and the University of Manitoba are all working together to help the increase in demand for corn and soybeans to meet feed, ethanol, distillery, and export demands. Industry estimates say corn and soybean production in Western Canada could be more than 14 million acres in the next decade.
“The Manitoba Corn Growers Association is pleased to be the recipient of $1.2 million in research funding from Western Economic Diversification Canada,” said Myron Krahn, president of Manitoba Corn Growers Association. “This project benefits not only farmers and researchers, but also the Western Canadian economy. This equipment will allow us to carryout research in various eco regions throughout the province so that row crop research can be well replicated and provide results that are relevant to producers in their specific growing area.”
Tell us your thoughts about the government investment of $1.2 million into Manitoba’s corn and soybean sectors. As a farmer of those crops, are you encouraged by the opportunities it could present you with?