New state-of-the-art Ag research and training facility coming to Manitoba

The governments of Canada and Manitoba are investing up to $6.4 million to establish the Prairie Crops and Soils Research Facility (PCSRF) at the Fort Garry campus of the University of Manitoba, federal Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau, Manitoba Advanced Education and Training Minister Sarah Guillemard and Manitoba Agriculture Minister Derek Johnson announced today.

“A great deal of our agriculture industry’s success comes from research and skill development. This investment not only creates local, collaborative opportunities in the short-term, it also lays the foundation for a growing research community that will create more agricultural innovations in the future,” said Bibeau.

Manitoba Advanced Education and Training is providing funding of up to $5.9 million in capital investment over three years, and the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP) is providing up to $500,000 to create a new state-of-the-art 20,000-sq.-ft. facility to find solutions to critical questions about our food supply.

“This facility promotes industry-government-academia collaboration that positions Manitoba as a national leader in agricultural research, innovation and education,” said Guillemard. “The PCSRF will provide incredible training and research opportunities for students in the agricultural field, helping them gain valuable experience in a sector that is continuously advancing.”

The total budget for the PCSRF is $20.7 million, including investments from agricultural industry organizations. The new facility is set to be operational by June 2026.

“Manitoba has always offered world-class research, innovation and training that benefits crop producers and grain markets, and today we are making sure we continue to attract top researchers and students,” said Johnson. “This investment ensures that we enhance the resiliency and sustainability of Manitoba’s agriculture and agri-processing sectors for years to come.”

The PCSRF will meet the emerging needs of our food system that Canadian farmers and the industry can innovate in a wide range of areas including nutrient management, cropping systems, digital agronomy and breeding. This initiative was developed through a multi-year consultation with agronomists, entomologists, pathologists, plant breeders, geneticists, soil scientists and other stakeholders in the industry.