As Canada targets a globally competitive research base, crop development research for cereal crops may be like "the elephant in the room" - the powerful force that's overlooked.

At a fundamental level, there is no secret what Canada is looking for in agriculture and agri-food research.

That's the cautionary message of a new report, "Perspective on Crop Development: The Elephant in the Room," (PDF) produced by Meristem Information Resources Ltd., an independent Calgary-based information company.

Canada has built a solid network of crop development research that has helped the country maintain a competitive agriculture and research industry. Several agricultural economists have named this research as providing among the best investment return of any area of agricultural research over the past 20 years, helping farmers remain viable and upholding the success of several multi-billion dollar industries.

Despite this, Canadian crop development research - particularly for cereal crops such as wheat, barley and oats - is in danger of being woefully under-funded compared to the same research supported by Canada's competitors.

"Research into newer crops and applications is what draws attention these days, but basic research to develop new varieties of traditional crops has proven itself time and time again as a backbone of Canada's success," says Brad Brinkworth, Senior Editor with Meristem.

"Cereal crops continue to dominate production, fuel several multi-billion dollar industries and are a critical foundation to the emerging revolution in bio-potential. It's not hard to see what's at stake if basic research to support these crops goes under-funded - Canada risks needlessly losing major competitive ground and opportunity."

At a fundamental level, there is no secret what Canada is looking for in agriculture and agri-food research, the report observes. The critical mass - top minds, manpower and resources - to compete globally and fuel Canada's economy. Strong value-added potential. Production systems that are economically, socially and environmentally sustainable. An industry the world can be proud of, and one it will buy from.

Research funders, decision-makers and stakeholders have wrestled with the best research design to meet these demands. They like the novel, the value-added, the quick payoff. But with their increasing focus on those attributes, they may risk overlooking the value of the more traditional.

The report recaps some of the key points to consider, from what crop research is really worth and how it delivers value, to what Canada's competitors are doing and what the world wants from bio-progress.

Meristem "Perspective" reports are an ongoing series designed to bring to light various important perspectives on issues critical to sustainable agricultural, food and environmental systems. Development of "The Elephant in the Room" was supported by the Field Crop Development Centre located in Lacombe, Alta., in the interest of supporting informed discussion on the issue of crop development research funding. The full report is available on the Meristem Land and Science Web site, www.meristem.com.