The Grain Growers of Canada (GGC) challenged the Western Grains Research Foundation (WGRF) to tell farmers what they could achieve with the $68 million in excess freight charges that is intended for the research trust fund.
“We are hearing some farmers and farm groups ask for the money to be returned to farmers,” said Doug Robertson, President of the Grain Growers of Canada.
“However, we are also hearing from farmers, farm groups and plant breeders about the desperate shortage of public research in Canada today.”
”This is an excellent opportunity for Western Grains Research to share their vision of what could be done with this money. $68 million invested at 3% would yield about $2 million a year, every year.”
“What value can that bring to farmers?” asked Robertson. “At a hundred grand a year, that is the equivalent of twenty full-tine researchers and plant breeders. This would be the biggest bump in research we’ve seen in decades.”
“What were the top three unfunded projects last year at WGRF?”
“What kind of yield increase could we see with this investment? With 50 million seeded acres, even if yields were increased by half a bushel an acre, that would pay farmers their money back, each and every year for a one time investment.”
“What kind of insect and disease resistance gains could be made? Fusarium, rust, sclerotinia, and midge are all major problems. They reduce yields and quality, and cost money to control. Could more research save us money in pesticide applications within 5 years or see pulse-cereal rotations with reduced fertilizer costs?”
“What new varieties might be developed? Are there specific end uses that could be bred? Is there a better malt barley? Ethanol wheat’s? Specialty canola’s? Specific health and nutrition attributes to fight obesity, for example.”
“At the Grain Growers we believe producers know the value of research. But, producers are also watching their bottom lines and so it is critical that WGRF shares its vision of what this money could mean for western farmers,” said Robertson. “Then we can all make an informed decision on research or cash back.”
“Western Grains Research Foundation www.westerngrains.com has a list on their website of what they have achieved with the funds they have had to date and there has been a lot of good work. This new money in effect quadruples what they will have from the trust fund. We know there is an appeal, but it costs nothing to share the vision,” said Robertson.
The Grain Growers of Canada represents the interests of 80,000 Canadian grain, pulse and oilseed producers of the Alberta Barley Commission, Alberta Oat Rye and Triticale Association, Alberta Winter Wheat Producers Commission, Atlantic Grains Council, British Columbia Grain Producers Association, Canadian Canola Growers Association, Canadian Young Farmers Forum, Manitoba Corn Growers Association, Oat and Barley Council of Ontario, Prairie Oat Growers Association, Western Barley Growers Association, and Western Canadian Wheat Growers Association.
For more information on the Grain Growers, please visit www.ggc-pgc.ca.
