Swift Current, Saskatchewan, Canada
September 7, 2016

Canadians rely on a strong agriculture industry and innovation helps ensure its success. Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Lawrence MacAulay announced today the Government of Canada has invested $35.3 million for infrastructure improvements at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's (AAFC) Swift Current Research and Development Centre. The centre is being renovated and new laboratories are being built, which are used extensively to support AAFC's wheat breeding program and other research on forages and cereals. Science and innovation play an important role in making Canada one of the world's top producers and exporters of agricultural products.

Quick facts

• Researchers at the centre continue to play a key role in developing high-performance, high-quality wheat varieties. Today, those varieties are grown on about 50% of the wheat acreage in Canada.
• The new space will offer modern laboratories and more energy efficient infrastructure; the new and renovated portions of the building will be LEED Silver certified – a mark of energy efficiency.
• Funding is part of AAFC's rolling five-year investment plan, which identifies infrastructure priorities and needed improvements to facilities.

Quotes

"The Government of Canada recognizes the importance of research and innovation to agriculture and to our economy. Improvements to these facilities will help deliver new technologies to producers, which creates jobs, grows the middle class and supports Canadian farmers."

- Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food

"We welcome this investment from the federal government. Our government has made research a priority as part of our innovation agenda, and such investments in our agriculture research sector will help Saskatchewan and Canada continue not only to feed the world, but continue to be a world leader in agriculture research."

- Brad Wall, Premier of Saskatchewan

Additional links

• Swift Current Research and Development Centre

Website: http://www.agr.gc.ca

Published: September 7, 2016