The federal government has announced plans to gradually cease operations at its research farm located in Indian Head, Sask., within the next year. Specifically, the seed increase unit will be relocated to the Saskatoon Research and Development Centre by 2028. In a recent news release, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada disclosed that the unit will function at both sites during 2027 to facilitate a smooth transition.
The primary role of the unit is to propagate and distribute breeder seeds to accredited growers for further multiplication and eventual sale as certified seed. This decision follows the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the federal and provincial governments aimed at preserving the Indian Head and Scott research farms. Initially slated for closure by the federal government, along with five other research facilities nationwide, the farms will now be managed by the province as federal operations wind down.
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada emphasized its ongoing commitment to supporting the Canadian seed sector, meeting breeder seed demands, and upholding pedigreed seed quality standards. However, the future plans for the Indian Head and Scott research farms without the seed increase unit remain uncertain.
Provincial Agriculture Minister David Marit stated that negotiations are underway with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada regarding the fate of the remaining land at the Indian Head and Scott sites as federal activities draw to a close. The provincial government is collaborating with the Saskatchewan agricultural sector to devise a strategy for the research farmland’s future utilization.