Carman, MB – Manitoba Pulse & Soybean Growers (MPSG) is encouraged by today’s federal government funding announcement earmarking millions of dollars towards soybean research under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership.
“Soybeans are a Manitoba success story and a prairie success story,” said MPSG Chair John Preun. “I wish to thank Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food for the $5.4 million investment, which, combined with the additional $3 million from industry, will see soybean acres, yields and production efficiencies increase across Manitoba.”
The $8.4 million investment announced today will flow through what is being called a soybean cluster, which is comprised of 10 research projects, four of which MPSG is supporting directly. The soybean cluster will be administered by the Canadian Field Crop Research Alliance, a not-for-profit organization specializing in facilitating research initiatives.
“Research and innovation investment is key to Manitoba’s still young soybean sector,” said MPSG’s Executive Director Francois Labelle. “At MPSG, we’re actively representing our farmers to ensure their investment in us goes towards the advancements needed to produce the best soybean crop possible in Manitoba’s unique and diverse growing conditions. Today’s announcement is encouraging.”
Soybeans are Canada’s fastest growing major field crop and one of the nation’s most valuable, accounting for $2.7 billion of farm cash receipts, according to Soy Canada. Soybean production in Manitoba continues to be strong, with only slight fluctuations in acres over the last two years.
About MPSG
Manitoba Pulse & Soybean Growers (MPSG) is a non-profit, member-based corporation representing more than 4,000 farmers in Manitoba who grow pulses, including edible beans, peas, lentils, chickpeas, faba beans and soybeans. MPSG provides Manitoba pulse and soybean farmer members with production knowledge and market development support, through focused research, advocacy and linkages with industry partners
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For more information, please contact:
Toban Dyck
Director of Communications, Manitoba Pulse & Soybean Growers
204-227-8875
toban@manitobapulse.ca
Francois Labelle
Executive Director, Manitoba Pulse & Soybean Growers
204-745-6488
francois@manitobapulse.ca