This fall a team of researchers will move into a refurbished laboratory at the University of Manitoba where federal scientists first developed rust-resistant wheat in the late 1940s.
But these researchers will be using the newest tools of biotechnology to make sometimes-controversial genetic changes to wheat, canola, flax and potatoes.
And they won’t be on the government of Canada payroll.
Monsanto Canada Inc. plans to spend $9 million to renovate the Dominion Rust Laboratory to build its first crop development centre in Canada.
The Manitoba government will give $1 million to the project, which premier Gary Filmon announced last week.
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Larry Taylor, Monsanto’s director of new technology, said he hopes the company will be able to “take crop research to a new level” in the building, just like scientists did more than 50 years ago.
He called the announcement a breakthrough for the corporation, which has to date done most of its research in the United States, while funding research projects at Canadian institutions.
Exchange rates and tax credits make it attractive for the U.S.-based company to move some of its research staff north, he said.
Taylor, who worked on clinching the deal for about 18 months, considered other locations in Canada, but chose Winnipeg because Monsanto wants to expand its work in wheat.
Agriculture Canada’s cereal research centre is across the street from Monsanto’s new lab, and the two buildings are connected by an underground tunnel.
Agriculture Canada scientists have been working to develop Roundup Ready wheat for the company.
Monsanto will move some of its fusarium tolerance research to the new centre from its St. Louis, Missouri headquarters, said Taylor. The company discovered some anti-fungal protein genes and is field testing new wheat varieties for fusarium tolerance.
Monsanto also wants to work on the starch quality and strength of wheat, Taylor said.
The company plans to do research on canola, potatoes and flax at the centre. It will employ 30 scientists and technicians, some of whom will move from Monsanto research centres in St. Louis, Georgia and California.
Taylor said the scientists will likely work on $8 to $9 million worth of research projects at any given time.
In comparison, Agriculture Can-ada scientists across the street work with $13 million per year, and crop science researchers at the University of Manitoba down the road work with $3 to $4 million worth of research per year.
The director of the cereal research centre said being close to Monsanto researchers will make it easier to develop Roundup Ready wheat.
“We’re very pleased to have a neighbor like this,” said Jim Bole.
Federal scientists may be able to get access to intellectual property owned by Monsanto, as well as more easily exchange genetic material, share equipment and discuss projects.
So far, Bole said the centre is only working with Monsanto on Round-up Ready wheat, but they have discussed other potential projects.
Murray Ballance, head of the crop science department at University of Manitoba, said the announcement came as a surprise to him. He said he is not aware of any discussions to date about the department working with Monsanto on research projects in canola or potatoes.
