2025 Pulse & Soybean Regional Variety Trial Locations

Apr 17, 2025

Each year, regional variety trials are conducted for soybean, dry bean, field pea, faba bean and lupin crops at locations across Manitoba. Dry beans are tested at both wide-row (>24 inches) and narrow-row (<12 inches) spacings to provide information for both production systems. IDC soybean trials are conducted at a site outside of Winnipeg for new soybean varieties in Manitoba. These varieties are tested for 3 years to determine their IDC rating and grouping.

In recent years the dry bean landscape has been changing with acres expanding westward and northward into areas that are new for this crop. With this change, two new narrow-row dry bean sites are being added in 2025, at Hamiota and Dauphin, to provide data for these expanding growing areas.

Faba beans are being expanded to Souris and Beausejour. Lupins are being expanded to Arborg.

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Video: Independent Seed, National Impact | On The Brink: Episode 9

A survey of 200 independent seed businesses reveals what Canada's seed sector actually contributes — and what it stands to lose.

On the Brink, Justin Funk, a third-generation agri-marketer, shares the findings of a national survey conducted in early 2026. The numbers reframe the conversation: independent seed companies in Canada represent upwards of $1.7 billion in dedicated seed infrastructure, approximately 3,000 full-time equivalent jobs in rural communities, and an estimated $20 million in annual community contributions. And roughly 90% of Canada's cereals, pulses, and other small pollinated crops flow through them.

The survey also asked how dependent these businesses are on public plant breeding to survive. The answer was unambiguous. For policymakers evaluating the future of publicly funded breeding programs, Funk argues the economic case for this sector and the case for public plant breeding are the same argument.

On the Brink is a cross-country video series exploring the future of plant breeding in Canada. Each episode features voices from across the industry in an open, ongoing conversation about innovation and long-term investment in Canadian agriculture.