The federal government has announced plans to gradually cease operations at the research farm located in Indian Head, Saskatchewan, within the next year. The seed increase unit, responsible for propagating and distributing breeder seeds to pedigreed growers for multiplication and sale as certified seed, will be relocated to the Saskatoon Research and Development Centre by 2028. As part of a recent agreement between the federal and provincial governments, the Indian Head and Scott research farms were slated for closure, alongside five other research facilities nationwide. Under the memorandum of understanding, the province will assume ownership of the land following the federal government’s withdrawal.
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada emphasized its ongoing commitment to supporting the Canadian seed sector by fulfilling breeder seed requests and upholding pedigreed seed standards. However, the future plans for the Indian Head and Scott research farms, beyond the seed increase unit relocation, remain uncertain. Provincial Agriculture Minister David Marit stated that negotiations are underway with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada to determine the fate of the remaining land at Indian Head and Scott, while also collaborating with the Saskatchewan agricultural industry to devise a strategy for the research farmland.