Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada
July 15, 2015

Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz and Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and Member of Parliament for Egmont Gail Shea announced today an investment of $792,064 to the Atlantic Grains Council (AGC) to improve the quality and output of grains and oilseeds produced in the three Maritime provinces.

Under the project, field trials will be conducted to look at ways to boost the output of corn and soybean crops, ensure effective fungicide use, and identify agronomic and meteorological factors affecting grain and oilseed yields.

Quick facts

• This is AGC's first large-scale research project investing producer contributions from a new research check-off fund.
• In addition to providing project funding, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada is providing scientific expertise to research crop disease and yield enhancement in small grain cereals and soybeans, as well as to identify the factors affecting the yields of these grain and oilseeds.
• This project is funded from the Growing Forward 2 AgriInnovation Program, a five-year, up to $698-million initiative. The program is designed to accelerate the pace of innovation by supporting research and development activities in the agriculture and agri-food sector.

Quotes

"The grains and oilseeds sector is an important driver of the economy here in Atlantic Canada and across the country. This investment will boost producers' bottom lines as well as contribute to the long-term sustainability of the sector in the Atlantic region"

- Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz

"Our government recognizes the value of the grains and oilseed sector and its importance for the agriculture industry in this province. This investment reaffirms our commitment to producers, and supports the work of the Atlantic Grains Council here and in Atlantic Canada."

- Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and Member of Parliament for Egmont Gail Shea

"I am very appreciative of our producers contributing to the research check-off fund, which has enabled the Atlantic Grains Council to partner with the federal and provincial governments to move forward with this important project. Our research is based on our producers' priorities and allows us to focus the region's research capacity, including Dal-AC and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada scientists, on these needs. I want to thank producers, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and the Atlantic Provinces for all working together with us to sustain and grow our grain and oilseed industry in the region."

- Allan Ling, Chair, Atlantic Grains Council

Additional links

• Growing Forward 2 (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada)
• AgriInnovation Program (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada)
• Atlantic Grains Council

Website: http://www.agr.gc.ca

Published: July 15, 2015