County to indicate support for Alberta research facility

By John Watson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Wheatland County council is supporting a letter to the federal government from Lacombe County protesting the closure of the Lacombe Research and Development Centre.

Correspondence to Wheatland County, dated Feb. 24, indicated Lacombe County intends to rally support from municipal districts and counties across Alberta aiming to reverse the decision to close the facility. 

“I do certainly see the value in research and development in agriculture, and I think if this were in our municipality, we would be looking for support from our other municipalities,” said Coun. Shannon Laprise. 

“You can close research centers in various places, but we do not have many research stations in Alberta dealing with the climates that we have got and the agriculture that we need,” added Coun. Keith Clayton.

The closure of the facility is reported to represent the loss of more than 100 jobs in a small labour market, as well as the loss of student placements and early career opportunities essential to Canada’s agri-food workforce.

Additionally, concerns have been raised regarding the damage to agricultural research and scientific trials which cannot be replicated elsewhere without the loss of data and local infrastructure value. 

“I can’t see losing that or editing that and trying to integrate it into wherever else they are planning on moving it. It is a very important place; there has been so much in the feed barleys and feed oats that come out of there for feed,” said Coun. Glenn Koester. 

“Molting is a different side, but feed for our livestock sector is very competitive and most of it for sileage … a lot of those studies, really come from the Lacombe center. I know by far, the barley feeds, the feed for our livestock, is highly dependent on them and to lose it would (set us) back by 50 years. That is our edge in the market.”

The Lacombe Research and Development Centre has been in operation for 119 years, currently described as being a cornerstone of Canadian agricultural innovation and public interest research.

Research through the facility includes integrated crop protection, climate-smart agriculture, livestock and crop genetics, production efficiency, and is Canada’s only federally operated meat sciences program.

“I can support the idea of the letter, but I think that the government has already made their decision and it is not going to change anything,” said Coun. Rick Laursen. 

Agriculture and Agri-food Canada have indicated the closure of seven research sites across Canada as part of budget savings identified by the federal government which come amid efforts to reduce the size of the public service. 

Despite the closures, the process of which could take up to 12 months. A total of 17 research centres – at least one in each province, will remain in operation. 

Olds College has expressed interest in taking up several of the projects which had been underway at the Lacombe facility.