Bayer Crop Science announced it will invest more than $45 million CAD to build a new canola research and development facility in Winnipeg, Manitoba, a move the company framed as a long-term bet on Canada’s role in canola innovation and on accelerating its precision breeding strategy.
The planned site, described by Bayer as a canola innovation centre, is expected to house seed development work for canola, camelina and winter canola. Bayer said the facility will support trait integration, yield trial seed processing, and seed quality analysis, and is intended to help speed genetic gains and expand product performance options for Canadian growers.
Company leaders said the investment follows changes made to Bayer’s canola breeding program in recent years, including the adoption of next generation precision breeding capabilities. Bayer said those updates have helped it accelerate genetic gain, strengthen disease resistance, increase field data collection, and broaden the delivery of herbicide tolerance trait options, and that the new infrastructure in Canada is designed to further advance those efforts while supporting innovation tied to canola and biofuels.
Bayer said design work for the new facility will begin in 2026, with the site anticipated to be operational by the end of 2028. The company said the project will consolidate some canola breeding operations and seed generation activities.
Bayer added that its existing Smartpark site in Winnipeg will continue handling early breeding workflows for canola, while its Carman site will focus on operating as a multi-crop nursery field location.
KEY QUOTES
“A long-term strategic investment of this scale demonstrates Bayer’s commitment to Canadian canola and to the farmers who depend on it. Through this world-class innovation facility, Canadian farmers will benefit from opportunities for faster genetic gains – such as increased yield and enhanced agronomic performance. It will also accelerate breeding efforts towards superior product performance and support expanded herbicide tolerance and weed control options.”
Antoine Bernet, Country Division Head, Crop Science Canada
“Over the last few years our canola breeding program has been completely redesigned through next generation precision breeding capabilities. These shifts have enabled us to greatly accelerate genetic gain, build industry-leading disease resistance, drive increase in field data collection that improve product positioning, and enable delivery at scale of expanded herbicide tolerance trait options. This infrastructure boost in Canada supports this shift and will advance future innovation in canola and biofuels.”
Mike Graham, Crop Science R&D Lead
