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Agronomy
WGRF receives funding for integrated crop agronomy research
August 16, 2023 By Top Crop Manager
Western Grains Research Foundation (WGRF) received more than $7.6 million in funding for the second phase of the Integrated Crop Agronomy Cluster (ICAC).
Of the more than $7.6 million, over $4 million comes from the AgriScience Clusters under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP), more than $1.9 million from WGRF and $1.5 million from industry partners.
“Agronomic practices that support resilient and profitable crop production are vital to our sector and to Canada’s economy,” says Lawrence MacAulay, federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food. “This important research that will be done across the country through this cluster will help to give farmers better solutions to the agronomic challenges they face, while improving profitability and incorporating climate-friendly practices to keep the sector well-positioned for the future.”
“Opportunities and challenges in crop production cannot always be addressed by studying individual crops in isolation, it is important to include the interaction of crops within a cropping system,” says Laura Reiter, WGRF board chair. “ICAC provides WGRF the opportunity to continue funding multi crop agronomic research that will ultimately provide farmers valuable insight and tools as they tackle widespread agronomic challenges.”
The Agronomy Cluster consists of seven projects will be funded between April 1, 2023, and March 31, 2028. The research being funded aligns well with WGRF’s cross-cutting research priorities and the Sustainable CAP priority areas. Research will focus on agronomic issues to improve sector profitability, increase carbon sequestration, reduce nitrous oxide emissions and enhance resilience to climate change and herbicide resistance.
“The experience in collaboratively developing this application and the positive outcomes of the first Agronomy Cluster, motivated us to believe that there is more to be accomplished through continuing this funding collaboration,” says Wayne Thompson, WGRF Executive Director.
Collaborating research organizations include Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation, the University of Alberta, Brandon University, University of Manitoba, Manitoba Agriculture and the University of Saskatchewan.
