For Immediate Release

Oct 03, 2023

Farm and industry leaders can now register for CrossRoads – Alberta’s Crop Conference and take advantage of early bird pricing. Brought to you by the FarmTech Foundation of Alberta, CrossRoads is excited to host 800 participants at the Westin Airport Hotel in Calgary, Alberta, from January 29-31, 2024. During the conference, producers and industry will gather to network and share ideas with their peers in the industry, including topics such as farm business management, economic and environmental sustainability of farming operations, policy impacting the farm gate, innovation and agronomy.

“The conference is a forum for producers to gain insight and knowledge to assist their operation today and into the future,” says farmer and foundation chair Todd Hames. “We are excited for this year’s speaker content as it directly relates to issues and opportunities that producers are facing and will help them set their strategic direction and make operational decisions”.

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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.