Science Strategy
Science and research are essential for the Canadian Grain Commission to support the integrity and marketability of Canadian grain for domestic and international markets. For more than a century, we have worked to increase our understanding of grain and grain products, and our scientists and research staff have established a reputation for excellence and innovation.
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Canadian Grain Commission Science Strategy
Over the years, our work has evolved in response to changes in the grain sector and we have continued to be the leader in grain science in Canada by being adaptable and innovative. To ensure that science and research continue to underpin Canada’s grain quality assurance system, we held a consultation in early 2022 to identify challenges and emerging trends in the grain sector. We asked producer and industry organizations, end users, and researchers in government and academia to give us feedback on the science and research activities currently being carried out at the Canadian Grain Commission and to identify any gaps or needed changes in these activities.
From this consultation process, we identified 5 drivers that will help shape the future of grain science and research at the Canadian Grain Commission:
- global trends and emerging market issues
- advances in technology
- evolving end uses
- climate change and extreme weather
- food safety and nutrition
Our Science Strategy is a response to these drivers and is organized into two main parts. The first part outlines our desired goals and outcomes for grain science within the context of each driver into the next decade. The second part describes how we will support the implementation our goals and outcomes with four operational pillars: excellence in science and innovation; a skilled, adaptable and productive workforce; communication of results; and state-of-the-art infrastructure and technology.
Science Drivers
Global trends and emerging market issues
International buyers and regulators of grain are becoming more demanding in relation to the presence of genetically modified events, maximum residue limits for pesticides, maximum limits for mycotoxins and trace elements, and other potential risks. Expanding grain quality and safety monitoring programs will support export certification and assurances that enhance customer perceptions of Canadian grain. Monitoring information also supports the ability of Canadian grain exports to meet international regulatory and market requirement and to resolve market access situations and quality or safety complaints.
What we will do
- Expand cargo monitoring to include other conveyances, such as container shipments, in addition to bulk cargo shipments for better representation of grain exports
- Expand the Harvest Sample Program to include more minor and emerging crops
- Develop and promote best practices for methods of sampling and analysing grain to increase global harmonization
- Increase intelligence gathering and collaboration with government and industry partners to identify emerging market access issues in their early stages to facilitate responsive research
Advances in technology
Maintaining and ensuring grain quality and safety requires ongoing attention to the development of reliable and efficient quality assessment methods for all stages of the supply chain. Increasing the development and validation of rapid, economical methods and technologies will support management of increasingly diverse grain types and classes in the handling system. It will also enable rapid evaluation of quality factors that matter to customers, and increase the objectivity of the grading system so that producers are fairly compensated for the grain they deliver.
What we will do
- Develop new and innovative methods for the objective assessment of grain quality and safety attributes for use across the supply chain from plant breeders to end users
- Evaluate new technologies for objective grading based on rapid and reliable technologies, including digital imaging and spectroscopy
- Develop and employ an intellectual property policy and framework to facilitate collaboration with innovative technology companies for the development of new instrumental methods of analysis
Evolving end uses
Demand for plant-based foods is increasing globally along with growth in domestic value-added processing capacity for the production of novel protein ingredients from plants. Increased understanding of the factors that affect quality traits in grains, especially pulses, to better predict end-use functionality will support traditional as well as new or emerging end uses.
What we will do
- Develop new and improved methods for assessing evolving quality requirements of grains
- Investigate how genetic, environmental and processing factors affect end use quality of pulses for production of novel protein ingredients
- Expand research and monitoring activities to include better representation of diverse pulse crop types, varieties and geographic regions
Climate change and extreme weather
Agricultural systems are vulnerable to current and projected changes in the global climate. Collectively, the impacts and responses associated with these environmental stresses have the potential to impact grain quality and safety. Research collaborations with plant breeders and agronomists will lead to improved understanding of how climate factors affect the quality and safety of Canadian grain.
What we will do
- Investigate the impact of genetic and environmental effects and their interactions on grain composition, functionality and safety characteristics
- Investigate the impact of evolving agronomic practices on grain quality and end use functionality
- Leverage monitoring data using statistical modeling, artificial intelligence and machine learning to better understand the impact of environment and weather patterns on grain quality and safety parameters
Food safety and nutrition
Grains are staple foods and constitute a major source of nutrition for the world's population with per capita consumption increasing, especially in developing countries. Perception of food quality is increasingly driven by consumer desire for healthier and more nutritious products. While grain-based foods generally present a low risk to food safety, some potential hazards exist. Global trends in relation to food safety and sustainability of production are driving greater demand for quality-assured products and traceability.
What we will do
- Investigate the factors affecting the nutrient content of grains for human and animal needs such as dietary fibre, vitamins, and bio-actives
- Investigate the effects of value-added processing on nutrient content and the fate of microbes, natural toxins and pesticide residues in grain-based end products
- Develop accurate methods for the detection of allergens, contaminants, genetically modified events and varietal composition to ensure purity and integrity of grain shipments