January 15, 2026 – On Tuesday morning, Heath MacDonald, Canada’s Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, and David Marit, Saskatchewan’s Minister of Agriculture, announced a combined investment of $9.7 million to support crop-related research in 2026. Funding is provided through Saskatchewan’s Agriculture Development Fund and the Strategic Research Initiative as part of the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership. Click here to view the complete news release.
As part of this initiative, SaskOilseeds is proud to announce its commitment of $614,475 to support 8 new research projects over the next five years. These projects are expected to improve canola resilience, support sustainable farming practices, and enhance profitability for producers across Saskatchewan.
The following new canola research projects have been initiated:
• Reducing the attractiveness of canola to flea beetles ($77,550)
• Developing an Integrated Multiomics Platform for Canola ($92,223)
• Investigating susceptible genes (S-genes) in canola to enhance resistance to Verticillium disease ($57,750)
• RNA Shield: Protecting canola against Blackleg, Clubroot, and Verticillium stripe ($68,075)
• Characterizing soil carbon in Saskatchewan soils: Integrating laboratory and spectroscopic methods ($48,379)
• Evaluating treated whole canola seed as a local source of bypass fat for lactating dairy cows ($13,548)
• Establishing a long-term management plan for herbicide-resistant Kochia and wild oats ($174,310)
Additionally, one flax research project is being launched:
• Investigating novel traits of agronomic interest for flax in Western Canada ($82,640)
As well, SaskOilseeds launched its new website this week, saskoilseeds.com, featuring a comprehensive dual crop research project library.
Following the Annual General Meeting yesterday, the SaskOilseeds’ Board voted to retain Dean Roberts as Chair and Codie Nagy as Vice-Chair to provide leadership for the upcoming year.
For more information, contact:
Ellen Grueter, Communications Manager
egrueter@saskoilseeds.com
(306) 975-6620
SaskOilseeds is a producer-led organization, established in 2024 and supported by 17,000 levy-paying Saskatchewan canola growers and 3,000 levy-paying Saskatchewan flax growers. SaskOilseeds’ mandate is to provide value to oilseed growers through research, advocacy, and market development.