Saskatchewan farm groups warn of impacts as federal research sites face closure

Two research farms in Saskatchewan are shutting down due to federal government funding cuts. Wayne Mantyka has the details.

Saskatchewan agricultural producers and politicians are raising concerns after the federal government announced plans to close eight research farms across Canada, including the long-standing facility in Indian Head.

The Indian Head research farm, established in 1887, has played a key role in crop research and agricultural innovation for more than a century. The federal government says the closures are part of a cost-cutting effort.

Producer groups warn the decision could have long-term consequences for agriculture in the province.

• Download the CTV News app to get breaking news alerts sent to your device

“These cuts are going to have some long-term impacts on our ability to keep up with changing times in agriculture, in terms of variety development and insect resistance on crops,” said Bill Prybylski, president of the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan (APAS). “There’s certainly a lot of concern.”

The Saskatchewan government says the closures of the Indian Head and Scott research facilities threaten Canada’s leadership in agriculture and could jeopardize research conducted jointly with public and private partners.

In a statement, the province said cuts to federal research and the closure of Saskatchewan-based programs would affect provincial partners and farmer-driven research organizations.

The provincial NDP has also criticized the move, writing to the federal agriculture minister and calling for an immediate reversal of the decision.

“We’re going to work with producers across this province and with the community of Indian Head to be very clear to the federal government that this is the wrong course,” said NDP MLA Trent Wotherspoon. “These cuts need to be stopped, and we need to invest in agricultural research in Saskatchewan.”

The federal government says the closures and related job losses will be phased in over the next six to 12 months. Producer groups and local leaders say they plan to lobby Ottawa in the coming days to reverse the decision.