A new seed plant. A next generation stepping in. A major investment in the future.
For Unger Seed Farm in Stonewall, Manitoba, that investment raises a larger question about the future of Canadian plant breeding.
Darcy Unger just completed a major new build in hopes of setting his farm up for success into the next generation. For Darcy, preparing his farm for what comes next is closely tied to something bigger: the system of plant breeding that underpins what farmers grow every year.
Why Canadian Plant Breeders Matter to Farmers
“Canadian plant breeders matter, because 95% of genetics we’re growing on our farm are coming from these breeders and these varieties are designed for Canadian farmers,” he says.
That connection between plant breeders and the farm plays out over time, through the development of new Canadian seed varieties and the ability to respond to changing conditions.
The Risk of Shrinking Investment in Seed Breeding
“I’m concerned about the shrinking investment in Canadian plant breeding… without the funding and the plant breeders supporting it, we won’t be able to react,” he says.
In Episode 3 of On the Brink, we explore what it really means to invest in Canada’s seed future. From on-farm decisions to the systems that support them, this episode looks at how investment in Canadian plant breeding shapes the seed industry’s ability to respond, adapt, and keep moving forward.
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On the Brink delivers weekly video episodes bringing together farmers, breeders, researchers, and others across the industry to share their perspectives on crop innovation. The goal is to spark an open, multi-perspective, ongoing conversation about the science, partnerships, and long-term investment underpinning Canadian agriculture.
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