b'noted Canada invests about $800 million a year into agMaking farming more affordable is one way to engen-sector research and development, and about 80% of thisder trust, said Jonathan Nyborg, president of Nyborg comes from public sources. Farms in New Brunswick. This imbalance between public and private sector R&DWe have to ask ourselves the question, whats driving has spilled over into the supply chain realm, he noted. the cost to producers? Were coming out of an extremely As our supply chains are transitioning to be muchdifficult year; commodity prices are shooting up and more end-user focused, we need to improve the lines ofat the same time so are input costs. Fertilizer is going communication from food processors, farmers and backthrough the roof. Seed, obviously, is going to be higher to plant breeders so that theres a good dialogue hap- priced. Fuel costs are rising. Thats something to keep our pening between what farmers and food processors areeye on so we continue to make our industry sustainable, looking for in terms of new traits. Plant breeders can thenNyborg said.have a chance to say, OK, heres the trade-offs betweenAdding insult to injury for producers is Canadas infla-what youre looking for and what were capable of doing. tion rate, which recently rose to its highest level since Both of those parts of the supply chain need a good1991. That means the risk to producers of doing business understanding as to where plant breeding needs to gois rising along with the cost of doing business, noted Rob and how it can get there, he added. Hannam, founder of Synthesis Agri-Food Network. He said farmer involvement is key to paving the path forward.Session 2 Takeaway: Trust Amongst Players Needed to BuildFarmers should all be demanding better varieties an Effective Regulatory Systemfaster, and Id like to see more farmer-driven leadership According to panel member Mark Huston, who oper- in seed, rather than just seed growers and seed compa-ates Huston Farms in Thamesville, Ont., producers wantnies recommending how to modernize the regulations, certainty when they buy seed; they want to know whatHannam said.they purchase is what theyre going to be given. Trust was the issue at the centre of the second Summit session heldSession 3 Takeaway: Regulations Should Serve as Boundaries,Feb. 14. not BarriersThe predictability of the seed regulations is veryRegulations should not serve as barriers to innovation, but important in helping producers develop that trust yourather give clear boundaries for innovators to work within have to have in the system, he said. If we want less reg- to ensure they can practice their craft but at the same ulation, how do we balance that from a risk standpoint? time ensure they serve market needs, attendees heard STRONG GENETICS.VIGOROUS PRODUCTION.DEPENDABLE GROWTH. LEARN MORE ALLIANCESEED.COM 12GERMINATION.CAMARCH 2022'