Search
Better Farming OntarioBetter PorkBetter Farming Prairies

Better Farming Ontario Featured Articles

Better Farming Ontario magazine is published 11 times per year. After each edition is published, we share featured articles online.


Institute says more ag research funding needed: federal budget reaction

Wednesday, February 12, 2014

by MATT MCINTOSH

Yesterday’s federal budget specifically mentioned the importance of Canada’s agricultural sector, but to achieve that potential, more funding should be dedicated to agricultural research, says the Agricultural Institute of Canada.

“Overall, the membership is happy to see research funding, specifically the $1.5 billion for the Canada Research Excellence Fund, and the $15 million for the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council,” says Dan Kosick, director of communications at the Agricultural Institute of Canada.

“However, we would like to see more funding for agricultural research.”

The agricultural initiatives identified for funding in the budget fell short of the institute’s recent recommendations on the federal government’s Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy – a plan designed to identify areas of investment in scientific research.

According to their press release from February 10, the institute gave four recommendations to Industry Canada, the ministry responsible for administering the strategy:

  1. Continue to invest in “key business innovation programs and demand driven research.”
  2. Set up a “real-time” database listing current research initiatives.
  3. Increase funding for federal research laboratories to “engage in long-term” research.
  4. “Expand on international accreditation efforts” in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

The four recommendations were presented to the government during a public hearing period, which ended on Feb. 7.

“The hearing was a chance for us and the rest of the public to weigh in on where funding should be allocated . . . Our recommendations stressed the importance of agriculture,” says Kosick. BF
 

Current Issue

August 2025

Better Farming Magazine

Farms.com Breaking News

UK celeb’s farm faces TB outbreak

Thursday, August 14, 2025

Jeremy Clarkson, the famously outspoken British television presenter, journalist, and motoring enthusiast, has found himself in the middle of a farming crisis. Best known for hosting and , Clarkson has more recently become a farmer and rural advocate through his unscripted Amazon Prime... Read this article online

Ontario Yield Tour Highlights Mixed Crop Conditions

Thursday, August 14, 2025

From above-average yields to drought stress and pollination issues, this year’s tour captures a season of contrasts across the province. The 2025 Great Ontario Yield Tour is highlighting the varied conditions Ontario farmers are facing this season. Early stops show both strong yields and... Read this article online

Better Soil Health Improves Rain Absorption

Wednesday, August 13, 2025

The OMAFA Fieldcropnews.com team recently held demonstrations regarding how soil management can greatly affect the amount of rainfall absorbed into the soil for crop use. This is especially important for corn, soybean, and wheat growers facing dry spells or intense summer storms. In early... Read this article online

Sunflower farming in Ontario

Wednesday, August 13, 2025

While Manitoba dominates sunflower production in Canada—accounting for about 90 percent of the national output (https://oggardenonline.com/where-in-canada-are-sunflowers-grown.html)—Ontario is home to a growing number of sunflower farms. These farms are often smaller in scale and... Read this article online

BF logo

It's farming. And it's better.

 

a Farms.com Company

Subscriptions

Subscriber inquiries, change of address, or USA and international orders, please email: subscriptions@betterfarming.com or call 888-248-4893 x 281.


Article Ideas & Media Releases

Have a story idea or media release? If you want coverage of an ag issue, trend, or company news, please email us.

Follow us on Social Media

 

Sign up to a Farms.com Newsletter

 

DisclaimerPrivacy Policy2025 ©AgMedia Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Back To Top