Invest in the Future: Grower Funded Canola Research Needs Your Vote

Farmers Value Research

Growers across the province seem to agree. Earlier this year, Alberta Canola conducted a survey of its members. Based on approximately 400 responses received, producers said that research and development, innovation and economics are Alberta Canola’s top deliverables. An overwhelming majority of respondents — a full 96 percent, in fact — said Alberta Canola’s investment in research is valuable, including 70 percent calling it “very valuable”.

One reason Alberta Canola’s research efforts to date have proven so successful is the organization’s ability to leverage producer dollars with partner funding. For the 2024 research projects, Alberta Canola captured an additional $4.50 of partner funding for every dollar it committed to research. Overall, Alberta Canola’s research portfolio has a leverage ratio of 7.36:1.

However, these combined resources are under significant strain trying to meet rising costs and growing needs. Public funding for research has dramatically declined, which means “producers are left holding the research bag, especially
for the agronomic and regional research that directly impacts producers on their farms,” Hampton says. Meanwhile, the cost of conducting research has dramatically risen.

“The cost of research today has been the biggest shock,” says Karla Bergstrom, Alberta Canola’s executive director. “Where we used to have projects coming in at $50,000, now we have project asks of over $800,000. We highly value our funding partnerships to further canola research and its advancement – because without them, we wouldn’t be able to fund our current portfolio.”

The Case for More Research Funding

Alberta Canola has not raised its service charge since 2003. Over the past 20 years, every cost in our industry has surged, while public funds for research have plummeted and the pressure on the industry — from regulatory burden to consumer demands to sustainability expectations — has skyrocketed. Simultaneously, Alberta’s canola production has declined by nearly 25 percent from a high of seven million tonnes in 2017. These factors have resulted in Alberta Canola operating in deficit for five of the last six years.

Currently, Alberta Canola aims to invest approximately $1 million annually into research, or about 27 percent of its total budget. It’s the most the organization can currently afford, but it’s considerably lower than the research commitments achieved by other Canadian prairie crop commissions. Tight funding often forces Alberta Canola’s research committee to make difficult decisions.

“We have to turn away a lot of good projects we wish we could fund, nevermind other funding streams we simply cannot entertain to look at,” says Hampton. “It’s one thing to be fiscally responsible. It’s another to decline important projects that could positively impact producers because the budget is so tight.”

Alberta Canola continually looks to invest into agronomic research, and genetic and market development. Hampton says, moving forward, canola varieties that can better withstand heat and drought will be a top priority. “Erratic growing conditions seem to be the new normal. There is a strong demand for this oilseed crop, but without investing more in research, we’re going to struggle to sustain current production,” he says.

A Vote for the Future

Alberta Canola will be asking its members to approve a service charge increase at its January 2025 Annual General Meeting. The board resolution will be published on Alberta Canola’s website in advance of the meeting. All eligible producers will have the opportunity to vote on this resolution at the AGM, which can be attended in person or online.

For those who value canola as viable and profitable crop in your rotation, Hampton’s message is clear: “Make sure your voice is heard. Vote ‘Yes’ for the service charge increase at the AGM in January.” For more information, visit Alberta Canola’s website at albertacanola.com/events.