Farmers across Manitoba are set to benefit from a substantial investment in the province's agricultural research. Manitoba Pulse & Soybean Growers (MPSG) and Manitoba Crop Alliance (MCA) have jointly committed $691,591 to support the Manitoba Diversification Centres. These nonprofit research hubs, located in rural communities, play a critical role in conducting unbiased, locally tailored studies that directly address farmers' needs.
Filling Research Gaps
Cassandra Tkachuk, Research Project Manager with MPSG, explained how these centres serve a unique purpose.
"They’re nonprofit, farmer and industry-directed organizations in smaller towns that fill gaps where other research institutions might not otherwise go. They provide testing sites and conduct studies that are specifically relevant to farmers in those regions."
Tkachuk noted that the centres host essential projects, like regional variety testing for crops such as soybeans, dry beans, and peas.
“Farmers rely on the data from these tests. It’s funded by farmers and used by them to plan for the next season."
Upgrading Equipment for Better Research
The nearly $700,000 investment from MCA and MPSG will be distributed among the four diversification centres in Manitoba as follows:
Manitoba Crop Diversification Centre (MCDC) - $198,697 from MCA
Parkland Crop Diversification Foundation (PCDF) - $64,237 from MCA and $64,237 from MPSG
Prairies East Sustainable Agriculture Initiative (PESAI) - $122,000 from MCA and $122,000 from MPSG
Westman Agricultural Diversification Organization (WADO) - $63,860 from MCA and $56,560 from MPSG
Tkachuk shares where some of the money will be spent.
“The Westman Agriculture Diversification Organization in Melita will receive a tractor, an ATV, and an auger, while other centres will gain tractors and other tools. These upgrades help keep the centres running efficiently and expand their research capabilities."
Addressing Challenges in Research Capacity
Katherine Stanley, Research Program Manager for Special Crops with MCA, highlighted the challenges researchers face, particularly with outdated equipment.
"It’s tough to keep up with maintenance and management of older tools, and access to grants for new equipment isn’t always easy.”
To address this, MCA launched a call for proposals to identify critical needs at research centres, resulting in this collaborative investment.
Beyond equipment, Stanley noted broader challenges like infrastructure limitations and staffing shortages.
"We commissioned a study to look at research capacity in Manitoba. It confirmed gaps in equipment, facilities, and human resources—areas where we’re now making targeted investments."
Farmers First
Both Tkachuk and Stanley emphasized that the ultimate goal is to ensure farmers benefit from these investments.
"Our funding comes directly from farmers through a check-off levy when they sell their crops. Everything we do is about improving their production practices and bottom line."
Looking ahead, Stanley is optimistic about the potential for growth.
"This investment strengthens our partnership with the diversification centres. The more research we support, the more we can address farmers' challenges and help them succeed."
For Manitoba farmers, this investment represents not just new equipment but also a renewed commitment to research that makes a tangible difference in their fields.