Scientific instruments sit in a field.

Communication part of the job for Agriculture Canada scientists

The department says producer engagement, field demonstrations and making data available online are expected of its researchers

In addition to the science, researchers also have another role — sharing their findings and knowledge with people in the ag sector and the public.


A man in a blue shirt wearing rubber boots walks in a lush green pasture with black and white dairy cattle.

Canadian agriculture extension called too ‘top down’

A University of Guelph professor says knowledge transfer is too ‘top down’ and requires a more collaborative approach

Canada is a global leader in agricultural science with world class experts in crop production and livestock husbandry. However, when it comes to transferring that scientific knowledge to Canadian farmers, there’s ample room for improvement.

The gloved hands of a researcher using a pipette to draw liquid from a sample tube in a lab.

Gene edited crops face turning point

India takes the plunge, but some crop sectors remain hesitant

May 4, 2025, could be a significant day in the history of agriculture. On that day, Indian agriculture minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced the release of two gene-edited rice varieties.


Agriculture experts with North Dakota State University speak with groups of farmers at events such as this one at the Langdon research and extension centre.

North Dakota still relies on face-to-face extension

Despite its small size, Burke County, North Dakota, has a full-time agricultural extension agent. Any farmer in the county who needs help with a disease in their spring wheat crop or has a problem with their cattle herd can call Dan Folske and ask for assistance.


A man stands in the middle of a pea crop plot speaking into a microphone to an unseen audience.

Is agriculture extension working in Canada?

Land grant universities mainly handle extension work in the United States; in Canada, it’s described as more of a ‘mish-mash’

Canada’s system of getting the latest and most useful information to farmers is very different from what happens in the United States.


An aerial view of a tractor in a field with a myriad of data points, like temperature, gps co-ordinates and ph, overtop the image.

Manitoba cropping projects to receive research funding

Projects to receive funding include those focusing on crop breeding improvements, root rot diseases and crop residue

Newly funded agriculture research projects in Manitoba include crop breeding improvements, root rot diseases and crop residue

Counting scientists

Counting scientists

Quebec has more federal agricultural researchers than Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan has 40.3 million acres of field crops and hayland. Quebec has 4.4 million acres, yet 59 Agriculture Canada scientists work at the four research centres in Quebec while Saskatchewan has 52.