To support grain and oilseed producers in Atlantic Canada and their unique needs, today, Heath MacDonald, Member of Parliament for Malpeque, on behalf of the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, announced up to $3,045,781 over 5 years to the Atlantic Grains Council through the AgriScience Program – Projects Component, an initiative under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership.

“As a farmer myself, I know firsthand the challenges that producers can face when it comes to getting their top-quality products to market. By investing in research that helps producers better adapt to the unique climate and soil conditions here in Atlantic Canada, we can help them increase their production and stay competitive.”

- The Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food

“The agricultural sector is an important economic driver for our region. These hard-working men and women need access to resources to ensure they stay on the cutting edge. With this funding to the Atlantic Grains Council, scientists will be focusing on issues important for farmers, to provide the best possible outcomes.”

- Heath MacDonald, Member of Parliament, Malpeque

“As Chair of Atlantic Grains Council, I represent growers across the region who are investing in this project through our voluntary Research Check-off. These funds are collected throughout the Maritime Provinces by our partners, and we are pleased to use these funds to partner with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada to work on research that producers have identified as priorities. AAFC brings program support and a team of world class researchers to our joint project. As producers, we face many challenges as we produce our crops, adapt to climate change and address food security. We need research to help find a path forward. I want to thank Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada for supporting this project through their programs and their science team, the provinces for their contribution, and to the producers who contribute their Research Check-off contributions.”

- Roy Culberson, Chair, Atlantic Grains Council

• Further to the AgriScience Program investment, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and the provincial departments of agriculture in the Maritimes are jointly investing an additional $1.25 million in Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership funding in the project, which is cost-shared 60% federally and 40% provincially.

• There are 233 grain and oilseeds farms in Atlantic Canada, which generated approximately $113.8 million for producers in 2023.

• So far in 2024, more than 270,000 acres of barley, canola, grain, corn, oats, rye, soybeans, and wheat have been planted in Atlantic Canada.

• The majority of grains and oilseeds crops in Atlantic Canada provide feed for livestock and aquaculture sectors.

• The Atlantic Grains Council, incorporated in 1984, has a focus on research and represents all grain and oilseed producers in the Atlantic region, including wheat, corn, soybeans, oats, barley, and peas.

• The Atlantic Grains Council, incorporated in 1984, has a focus on research and represents all grain and oilseed producers in the Atlantic region, including wheat, corn, soybeans, oats, barley, and peas.

• The AgriScience Program, under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, aims to accelerate innovation by providing funding and support for pre-commercial science activities and research that benefits the agriculture and agri-food sector, and Canadians.

• The AgriScience Program – Projects Component is currently accepting applications.

• The Atlantic Grains Council project responds to producer-identified priorities which align with the program’s priority areas of Environment and Climate Change, Economic Growth and Development, and Sector Resilience and Societal Challenges.

Associated links

• AgriScience Program – Projects
• Atlantic Grains Council

For media:

Annie Cullinan
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
annie.cullinan@agr.gc.ca

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