Key Takeaways
- Bayer Crop Science announced a $45+ million CAD investment to establish a new canola innovation centre in Winnipeg.
- The facility will support seed development for canola, camelina, and winter canola.
- The investment aims to accelerate genetic gains, yield improvements, and trait integration for Canadian farmers.
- Design work is set to begin in 2026, with operations expected by the end of 2028.
- Existing Bayer sites in Winnipeg and Carman will continue specialized breeding and nursery functions.
Bayer Crop Science Announces Major Investment in Canadian Canola Innovation
Bayer Crop Science has announced a $45+ million CAD investment to strengthen Canada’s position in canola research and development through the creation of a new canola innovation centre. The facility will be located in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and is designed to support seed development activities for canola, camelina, and winter canola.
The centre will focus on trait integration, yield trial seed processing, and seed quality analysis. According to Bayer Crop Science, the investment reflects a long-term commitment to Canadian agriculture and the farmers who rely on canola as a cornerstone crop.
“A long-term strategic investment of this scale demonstrates Bayer’s commitment to Canadian canola and to the farmers who depend on it,” said Antoine Bernet, Country Division Head, Crop Science Canada.
Accelerating Breeding and Trait Development
The new innovation centre is intended to support faster genetic gains and improved agronomic performance for canola varieties grown in Canada. Bayer Crop Science stated that the facility will accelerate breeding efforts and enhance the development of expanded herbicide tolerance and weed control options.
Mike Graham, Crop Science R&D Lead, said the timing and location of the investment align with recent changes in Bayer’s breeding approach. “Over the last few years our canola breeding program has been completely redesigned through next generation precision breeding capabilities,” Graham said.
Precision Breeding and Data-Driven Development
According to Bayer Crop Science, advances in precision breeding have enabled faster genetic improvement, stronger disease resistance, and increased field data collection. These capabilities are expected to improve product positioning and support the delivery of new traits at commercial scale, including applications relevant to biofuels.
The new infrastructure is intended to support these efforts by consolidating breeding operations and seed generation activities into a single, purpose-built facility.
Timeline and Integration with Existing Bayer Sites
Design work for the new canola innovation centre is scheduled to begin in 2026, with the facility expected to be operational by the end of 2028. Once completed, it will consolidate selected canola breeding and seed processing activities currently distributed across multiple locations.
Bayer Crop Science confirmed that its existing Smartpark site in Winnipeg will continue to handle early-stage breeding workflows for canola. Meanwhile, the Carman site will remain focused on multi-crop nursery field operations.
Bayer stated that this integrated approach will allow the company to fully implement its precision breeding strategy while continuing to deliver new products to Canadian growers.
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