Opinion
Dear Members of the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food,
I own and operate a grain farm in central Alberta, a mere one-hour drive from the AAFC Research and Development Centre in Lacombe, AB. I understand that this station is one of seven across Canada, that will be closed along with the loss of 665 research jobs.* This news is simply devastating to farmers like myself.
I have spent 25 years in the Ag industry as both a farmer and an agronomist. My career as an agronomist required me to take scientific research and apply that knowledge, to assist farmers by helping them solve problems and increase their farms profitability. The ag industry relies on research to continue to solve the ever-changing problems that farmers face. Today my farm business employs management practices that have come directly from the Lacombe Research and Development Centre, this has improved my farms resilience and profitability.
Much of the research performed in agriculture is not done in a lab where it can be easily relocated and centralized. Rather this research is done outside, in locations across a wide range of climatic conditions. Every research station in Canada is a pillar of the foundation supporting agriculture. The more stations that are closed, the weaker the foundation becomes.
Funding cuts to agriculture are nothing new and unfortunately it has become the norm over my career in ag. In the past, the federal cuts to ag funding have been partly backfilled with money from colleges, universities, industry and farmer led crop commissions. This funding needs to be recognized and taken into account by the federal government.
I ask you as a member of the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food to support the notice of motion presented by MP Richard Bragdon, to study the impact of the closures of these research stations.
Sincerely,
Scott Keller
Farmer, New Norway, Alta.
*Editor's note: not all 665 eliminated position are researchers or research related, as a point of clarification.
Related: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada to close seven research facilities
