Federal government phasing out seed research in Indian Head, Sask.

Federal government phasing out seed research in Indian Head, Sask.

Province still developing plans for research farms

The federal government says it will be winding down operations at its research farm in Indian Head, Sask., over the next year.

The seed increase unit will be moved to the Saskatoon Research and Development Centre in 2028. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada said in a news release Friday that the unit will operate out of both facilities in 2027 to ease the transition.

The unit propagates and distributes breeder seeds to pedigreed growers for multiplication and sale as certified seed.

The announcement comes after the federal and provincial governments signed a memorandum of understanding to save the Indian Head and Scott research farms. The farms were set to be closed by the federal government, along with five other research operations across Canada.

That memorandum means the province will take control of the land as the federal government closes its operations.

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada said in the release that it remains committed to supporting the Canadian seed sector, fulfilling breeder seed requests and upholding pedigreed seed standards.

Without the seed increase unit, the plan for the Indian Head and Scott research farms is unknown.

"Our government is actively engaged in negotiations with AAFC regarding what will happen with the rest of the Indian Head and Scott land while the federal government winds down operations," provincial Agriculture Minister David Marit said in a statement.

He said the provincial government is also working with the Saskatchewan agricultural industry to develop a plan for the research farmland.

Laura Gillis is a Regina-based journalist. You can reach her at laura.gillis@cbc.ca.