In the latest Seed World Podcast, Reinheimer explains why Canada risks falling behind globally — and what must change to protect innovation.
Canada has long punched above its weight in plant breeding — especially in wheat, where its global reputation for quality and performance is firmly established. But as Jason Reinheimer explains in this week’s Seed World Podcast, past success doesn’t guarantee future leadership.
In a timely and thought-provoking conversation, Reinheimer — currently head of cereals and pulses research at Limagrain Field Seeds and soon to be CEO of the Global Institute for Food Security — unpacks a growing challenge: Canada’s innovation system is at a crossroads.
While Canadian breeding has historically been driven by strong public investment, that model is under pressure. Tightening budgets and limited mechanisms for private return are making the country less attractive for global investment compared to competitors like Australia, France and Germany. The result? Fewer companies, fewer opportunities, and increasing risk of talent and innovation flowing elsewhere.
Reinheimer points to a clear global trend: when public funding declines, successful breeding nations adopt value capture systems that allow breeders to earn a return on their innovations. Canada, he argues, has the tools — including models like the Variety Use Agreement — but needs the will to act.
The stakes are high. Without change, Canada risks falling behind not because of a lack of expertise, but because of hesitation.
This episode goes beyond theory. It’s a candid look at what’s working, what’s not, and what needs to happen next — from industry leadership to farmer engagement — to secure the future of plant breeding innovation in Canada.
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