Agriculture, Agriculture and Food Canada (AAFC) is promoting more diverse crop rotations on farms through the Agriscience Program – Cluster Component, an initiative under the Sustainable Canada Agriculture Partnership, to encourage more diverse crop rotations on farms. Announced that it will donate up to $5,733,852 to the Confederation Research Alliance (CFCRA).
The CFCRA-led crop systems cluster will develop characteristics and practices that encourage diverse crop rotations of soybeans, corn, and oats, according to AAFC.
Canadian Field Crop Research Alliance is a non-profit organization founded in 2010 with an interest in improving the genetic performance of Canadian field crops, particularly barley, corn, oats, soybeans, and wheat. Members include grain farmers in Ontario, pulse and soybean producers in Manitoba, and the Atlantic Grains Council.
CFCRA says it will leverage an additional $4.8 million from industry for a total investment of up to $10.5 million over five years.
This research aims to reduce business risks for farmers by developing crops that are resistant to climate change and weather stress, prevent losses from disease and insects, and provide benefits for the entire farmer. This will be achieved by developing oat varieties with improved characteristics for eastern and western Canada and by improving soybean varieties for Canada’s short-season production environment.
Research activities include how diverse crop rotations can play a central role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and how nitrogen can be used to protect the environment by improving genetics, land management, and fertilizer use. We also plan to explore how the efficiency of use can be improved.
