Crop production show 2025: Producers at SaskWheat question proposed building

Glacier FarmMedia—Producers are concerned about the need for, and cost of, a new building for Cereals Canada’s technology and research centre.

However, the organization’s chief executive officer, Dean Dias, defended the Global Agricultural Technology Exchange, proposed for downtown Winnipeg.

He said if Canada wants to continue to be a top exporter and preferred choice of its customers, it has to be able to prove quality and consistency.

Dias said the roller mill in the current facility hasn’t been upgraded since 2000, for example.

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Several producers at the SaskWheat annual meeting Jan. 14 questioned the need for a new building.

Edenwold, Sask., farmer Alanna Koch said she was concerned about the amount of money SaskWheat has committed to the project and why new real estate was required when there are so many empty buildings in downtown areas.

Dias said a lease is not feasible.

“No developer is willing to break down walls to put a three-storey mill in there,” he said.

The facility requires a certain type of concrete to carry the load, as well as electrical systems that can deal with flammable products, Dias said.

Jeff Mathieson, who farms in central Saskatchewan, asked why other Cereals Canada members haven’t committed funds. Only several crop commissions from the Prairie provinces have done so.

SaskWheat chair Jake Leguee said the commission pledged $6.2 million as a signal to others that farmers are committed to the project. If it doesn’t go ahead, the commission won’t spend the money.