Funding cuts to applied agricultural research in Canada pose significant challenges for the farming community, forcing the industry to carve innovative pathways if it is to adapt and thrive.
“There have been layers upon layers of cutbacks,” says Ken Coles, executive director of Farming Smarter, a not-for-profit organization that drives innovation at the farm level through agronomic testing, scientific knowledge, and community connection.
Reflecting on his two-decade career in the industry, Cole says a progressive reduction in support from both provincial and federal governments has created a critical gap in research capacity and support.
“When I started, there was a wealth of resources to help move the needle on new practices,” he says, citing no or low tillage farming as a key example. “We had a strong network of farm groups, government support, and passionate farmers who were committed to innovation.”
Unfortunately, the landscape has evolved, and the support systems that once existed are now diminished. This limitation risks excluding vital research focused on environmental sustainability and other crucial components of modern farming practices.
Ultimately, the effects of these cuts won’t be fully understood for years — but that doesn’t mean the industry isn’t seeing immediate issues.
“I think we’ve gotten ourselves to a point now where we’ve actually got a human resource issue as it pertains to research specifically connected to the farm,” Cole says, noting a lack of top-down communication. “And I don’t see a lot of this research hitting the farm. To me, innovation isn’t innovation until it’s being adopted on the farm.”
It’s an area in which Cole feels Canada is very much behind — a sentiment reenforced by the work he has witnessed first-hand being done in countries around the world.
“In New Zealand, they eliminated all ag subsidies years ago, and agriculture still drives their economy,” he says, pointing to the country’s strong innovation frameworks that are essential for maintaining competitiveness.
On the other hand, he also acknowledges Ireland’s strategic commitment to agricultural capacity. “Ireland started building infrastructure in 1989 that woefully contrasts with our current situation. They have been able to foster collaboration and investment that supports farmers rather than leaving them to navigate challenges on their own.”
The bottom line?
“We need to realize that our innovation system is broken, and we need to make that whole again,” Cole says.
And that starts with making sure the right people are in place.
“We need to attract and retain intelligent individuals to address the challenges we face,” he says. “But we also have to recognize that many specialists are leaving agriculture due to a lack of opportunities. There are essentially no soil scientists left in our province. We need experts who can drive meaningful research and solutions.”
Coles also emphasizes the urgent need to redefine extension services, which should prioritize creating meaningful connections between researchers and farmers. “The relationship with farmers is crucial,” he says. “When we share our knowledge, we also need to ensure we’re getting feedback from them to inform future research.”
He adds that extension services must provide continuous support tailored to the specific needs of farmers, rather than offering one-size-fits-all solutions.
“There needs to be a shift in how we engage farmers in the research process,” Coles says. “They should have input on what’s important and what questions need to be answered to improve their farming practices.”
This collaborative approach would not only enhance the relevance of research findings but also empower farmers to become advocates for agricultural innovation that genuinely benefits their operations.
“It’s about ensuring we have the capacity to address emerging issues while also maintaining the freedom to take risks,” he says. “Farmers can’t take those risks alone, but we can work together to pave the way forward.”
