Antoine Bernet, Country Division Head with Crop Science Canada, says Bayer is committed to Canadian canola and the farmers who grow it.

“Through this world-class innovation facility, Canadian farmers will benefit from opportunities for faster genetic gains – such as increased yield and enhanced agronomic performance,” said Bernet, in a news release. “It will also accelerate breeding efforts towards superior product performance and support expanded herbicide tolerance and weed control options.”

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Mike Graham, Crop Science Research & Development Lead, says now is the right time, and Manitoba is the right place, to build this facility.

“Over the last few years, our canola breeding program has been completely redesigned through next-generation precision breeding capabilities,” said Graham. “These shifts have enabled us to greatly accelerate genetic gain, build industry-leading disease resistance, drive increase in field data collection that improve product positioning, and enable delivery at scale of expanded herbicide tolerance trait options. This infrastructure boost in Canada supports this shift and will advance future innovation in canola and biofuels.”

Designing the new facility gets underway this year. Bayer Crop Science anticipates it will be operational by the end of 2028, adding that it will consolidate some of its canola breeding operations and seed generation activities to get the full benefit of its precision breeding strategy to bring products to market for Canadian growers.

Bayer’s current Smartpark site in Winnipeg will continue its early breeding workflows for canola, while its Carman, Manitoba site will focus on being a multi-crop nursery field operation.