Research capacity under threat

July 01, 2026

Key points from this story:

• AAFC closing seven research facilities
• Approximately 665 positions eliminated
• Wind-down may take up to 12 months
• Indian Head and Scott affected
• University selling Termuende research farm
• Producers opposed the farm sale

That may be perception yet, but perception is often a herald of reality, and if there is a move away from scientific research in agriculture - especially that which is publicly funded so not so tied to a corporation's bottom line - it a concerning situation.

If you are involved in farming you are no doubt aware of announced cuts from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC). It has been announced AAFC is closing seven research facilities across Canada as part of federal public service cost-cutting measures. The closures will eliminate approximately 665 positions, with a staged wind-down of scientific operations projected to take up to 12 months. Those cuts hit particularly close to home with facilities at Indian Head and Scott in Saskatchewan and Lacombe in Alberta affected directly.

No matter what spin the federal government offers up on the AAFC decision it is a loss of research capacity and that can never been seen as positive, and frankly seems like a definite step backwards at a time the ag sector needs research as it faces climate change and what that will mean in terms of crops and their production. And now we have heard the University of Saskatchewan is selling its Termuende beef research farm near Lanigan, Sask.

This is another situation where the direct impact of what may be happening at the site today should be seen as less important than what the site may mean moving forward. In other words recent research - or even the lack thereof at resent - does not lessen the potential of research plots spots moving forward. Not surprisingly producers at the recent Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association annual meeting passed a resolution opposing the sale. And certainly there have been numerous calls for a change in direction in regards to the announced AAFC cuts too.

There is little doubt research has been at the vanguard of agriculture since someone first began 'selecting' what wild seeds could be gathered for cropping to feed their village. And that remains true today. Now the closures and sales noted above will not end research of course, but they do removed localized opportunities on the Canadian Prairies.

The above sites are also those where public coffers invest in agriculture research for the broader public good. The results of such research not being directly tied to the bottom line in a corporate ledger. In that regard to research results in publicly funded situations are often as much about improving an on-farm situation - even minor ones - rather than simply looking to boost the profit margin of the funder.

So whenever research capacity is lost it is something the farm community needs to watch carefully, because once gone it will not likely return.