GrainsWest Fall 2020

Fall 2020 grainswest.com 33 However, the pandemic has delayed ongoing union negotiations around the cuts. “The efficiencies have still been identified and we’re going to make them, but the timing of it now is unknown just because of the delays in all those negotiations,” he said. “We’ve just gone through a period where the provincial government has laid off a lot of research scientists and their staff,” said Lynn Jacobson, president of the Alberta Federation of Agriculture and RDAR member. “We didn’t really agree with that move as a general farm organization.” Jacobson is concerned the cuts may create gaps that will not be filled by RDAR. He cited the elimination of the government’s only forage research position in December 2019 as an example. He also questioned the suggestion the previous research funding model was somehow compromised by political ideology. “We’re trying to figure out where some of these very essential scientific positions will land because provincial researchers have had a very Alberta-regional approach,” said Comin. In comparison, she said, federal researchers at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada take a larger, Prairie-centric approach. Covering any potential gaps will be up to RDAR, said Dreeshen. “The whole point of RDAR is that you’re not going to have politicians directing [farmers] on what kind of research should continue or is not going to continue,” he said. “We will have to assess each plan and each opportunity on a case-by-case basis,” said Chalack about how RDAR will deal with research gaps that may emerge. He also addressed the question of whether RDAR will fund facilities and infrastructure. “We as a board have said we are not funding capital costs, like equipment and bricks and mortar,” said Chalack. However, it might be possible that RDAR will “inherit” facilities or infrastructure from AF, he said. “Those are ministerial decisions, and then the board assesses opportunities, gaps, requirements.” TIME CRUNCH RDAR’s timeline had called for the advisory committee to establish research priorities by September. RDAR is scheduled to accept research applications prior to the New Year. “We hope to have our first call out, hopefully, by November,” said Chalack. RDAR will judge every research application based on its merit, not by relative economic importance of the relevant sector, he added. RDAR will provide stable, long-term funding for multi-year research projects, he added. As of August, crop groups and research entities were in the process of sending and reviewing funding applications. “As we get closer to December, funding decisions will have to be made,” said Comin. “Ideally, RDAR will be on the same schedule.” Chalack is adamant it will be. “We’ve set some deadlines, and we’ll meet them,” he said. A VISION OF THE FUTURE The uncertainty created by looming cuts to AF has caused concern within the province’s agriculture industry about what may be a rough transition. What’s certain is the shift to a new industry-led funding model administered by RDAR will mean the direction of ag research is squarely in the hands of farm groups. “Our vision is that Alberta’s agriculture and food sectors achieve their full potential through producer-led strategic investments in research and innovation,” said Chalack. “There was lots of discussion on whether we should have added sustainability [to our vision]. We were rather forceful on competitiveness and profitability.” Sustainability can have a broad definition, said Chalack. “To me, sustainability means value creation in a competitive marketplace. Unprofitable investments are unsustainable.” For more information on RDAR, visit its temporary website: rdar.ca. RDAR’S OPERATING PRINCIPLES 1. Be a highly respected, forward thinking leader in agriculture research funding 2. Invest in producer-led research priorities 3. Ensure knowledge transfer 4. Use resources efficiently; demonstrate fiscal responsibility 5. Enhance collaboration and optimize research capacity 6. Practice intentional and effective communication 7. Reflect a responsive and respectful governance model 8. Maximize commercial benefit of intellectual property