Bayer investing more than $45M CAD to build worldclass Canola Research and Development facility in Canada

CALGARY, AB January 27, 2026 – Bayer Crop Science today announced an unprecedented $45+ million CAD investment to strengthen Canada’s leadership in canola innovation by establishing a cutting-edge canola innovation centre. Located in Winnipeg, Manitoba, the facility will house seed development work for canola, camelina and winter canola, focusing on trait integration, yield trial seed processing and seed quality analysis.

“A longterm strategic investment of this scale demonstrates Bayer’s commitment to Canadian canola and to the farmers who depend on it,” said Antoine Bernet, Country Division Head, Crop Science Canada. “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.”

Mike Graham, Crop Science R&D Lead, said it is the right time and location for this type of significant investment. “Over the last few years our canola breeding program has been completely redesigned through next generation precision breeding capabilities,” said Graham. “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.”

Design for the new facility will begin in 2026 and we anticipate it to be operational by the end of 2028. It consolidates some of our canola breeding operations and seed generation activities, allowing Bayer to continue our journey to get the full benefit of our precision breeding strategy to bring products to market for growers in Canada.

Bayer’s current Smartpark site in Winnipeg will continue to perform early breeding workflows for Canola, while the current Carman site will focus on being a multi-crop nursery field operation.