REGINA, SASKATCHEWAN, CANADA — The Canadian government last week announced an investment of up to C$3,457,985 for SaskCanola to study genomic resistance, pathology and integrated crop management, which will help improve management practices and decrease incidences of emerging and established diseases.

The research project aims to further control Blackleg in canola and understand more about the emerging disease Verticillium Stripe in Canada. It is part of a multi-faceted approach to ensure increasingly stable trade in the future.

“Canadians are proud of our world class canola, which began as a scientific innovation in Prairie research facilities about 50 years ago,” said Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparadness. “The industry creates thousands of jobs and opportunities for Canadians, and we’re committed to seeing it continue to thrive.”

The project, funded through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership’s AgriScience Program, builds upon a previous announcement up to C$12.1 million under the same program for the Canola Council of Canada to advance the growth and profitability of the sector.

The Canadian Agricultural Partnership is a five-year, C$3 billion investment by federal, provincial and territorial governments to strengthen the agriculture and agri-food sector. The AgriScience Program is a five-year, C$338 million initiative that supports leading edge discovery, applied science and innovation driven by industry research priorities.

“Cutting-edge canola research is vital to Canadian canola producers,” said Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Food. “I'm proud to announce this federal investment, which will help growers increase yields and stand out in global markets.”

Canola has been the largest crop in Canada in terms of farm cash receipts since 2010, and accounts for more than one-fifth of all cropland.