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By Alice McFarlane

Ag Research Cuts

Saskatchewan crop groups express concern over recent research station closures

Feb 11, 2026 | 10:39 AM

The future of crops research is in jeopardy, according to SaskCrops, an organization that represents barley, oats, oilseeds, pulse and wheat producers. 

The recent announcement from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) included staffing reductions and the closure of research operations in Saskatchewan at Indian Head and Scott along with the closure of the Lacombe, Alta. facility. 

Stuart Lawrence, chair of Saskatchewan Pulse Growers, said the cuts will have a significant impact on the capacity to undertake crop research important to farmers and will have broader impact on the Canadian agriculture sector. 

“While the full extent of the impact these cuts will have on projects and the sector is still to be fully realized, we cannot stress enough the value that the research undertaken by AAFC researchers and their research stations provides for farmers,” Lawrence said. “Cutting edge research ensures farmers remain competitive and we are working to uncover alternate pathways forward to ensure this important work continues and capacity can be preserved.” 

AAFC sites slated for closure manage breeding, weed, disease, agronomic, and insect research, minor use pesticide registration, and regional variety trials. Lawrence said the loss of these sites will reduce people, infrastructure, and project capacity for the critical research needed so farmers can be successful. 

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SaskCrops members, the provincial government, and other stakeholders have made several financial contributions towards personnel, equipment, and infrastructure in recent years. 

Lawrence said there has already been a concern in reduced agriculture research, and this latest setback only underscores the importance of work that needs to be done to protect and grow research capacity. 

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alice.mcfarlane@pattisonmedia.com