What AAFC Research Station Closures Could Mean for Your Farm

The impact won’t show up tomorrow, but five to 10 years from now, farmers may feel it in lost yield gains, weaker disease packages, and a slower pipeline for new varieties.

While innovation in agriculture is often associated with new equipment and digital tools, a fireside chat hosted by Alberta Seed Guide editor Marc Zienkiewicz at the CrossRoads Crop Conference in Edmonton, Alta., on Jan. 27 argued the most important technology on most farms is still seed — especially in light of the recent news surrounding layoffs and closures at Agriculture and Agro-Food Canada (AAFC).

“Innovation doesn’t always look like a new gadget,” said Zienkiewicz. “For most farmers, the most innovative technological product that you have on the farm every year is still seed. It’s your most fundamental input.”

The discussion featured Doug Miller, executive director of the Canadian Seed Growers’ Association (CSGA), and Kenny Piecharka, country manager for KWS Seeds Canada in Lethbridge. The panel focused on what’s already working on farms today — from genetics to seed certification — and what farmers should be watching as Canada’s public research capacity faces uncertainty.

Seed certification as a “trust layer”
Miller described CSGA as Canada’s national seed crop certification authority, with a 120-year history. He said its work centres on delivering one national certification program and setting standards across about 70 crop kinds.