Genome Alberta is using genomics to drive sustainability, innovation, and growth in the agriculture sector.
Canada has made significant strides in reducing the carbon footprint of our food production systems, but there’s always more work to be done. By strengthening the resiliency, environmental sustainability, and economic growth potential of our agriculture sector, we can better meet the growing global demand for sustainable food production while addressing the increasing challenges posed by climate change. How can we do this? In one word: innovation.
A solutions provider
This innovation is especially critical in Western Canada, where the vast prairies of Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba play a key role in feeding not only Canadians but the world. It’s within this dynamic landscape that the not-for-profit research funding organization Genome Alberta, and national partner Genome Canada, are making significant strides.
Genome Alberta focuses on supporting applied research that directly benefits Alberta’s society and economy. By initiating, funding, and managing genomics partnerships and research, the organization is enabling game-changing innovations in health, agriculture, forestry, energy, and the environment that benefit Albertans and the world.
Genome Alberta is pleased to invest in Alberta-made solutions for today and tomorrow.
Their investment in the PeaCE (Pea Climate-Efficient) project, for example, aims to increase the acreage of nitrogen-fixing pulse crops, specifically field pea, to reduce the use of nitrogen fertilizer — a high greenhouse gas emitter. Led by experts at the University of Calgary and the National Research Council Canada, the project integrates advanced genomic technologies to enhance crop rotation practices while also improving pea crops and making them more attractive for farmers to plant — creating improved pea cultivars that are root rot-resistant, climate change-resilient, and high-yielding with improved nutritional traits.
Moving toward net zero emissions
Another Genome Alberta investment, the Climate Action Through Grazing (CAT-G) project, uses genomics to understand soil microbiomes. Led by experts from the University of Alberta and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, CAT-G aims to enhance carbon sequestration in Canadian grasslands by an additional 32.5 megatons, valued at approximately $5.5 billion. Utilizing genomic technologies, the project examines how different grazing practices — rotational versus continuous — affect soil carbon storage and greenhouse gas emissions through changes in soil and fecal microbiomes. The initiative seeks to develop effective management practices, improve greenhouse gas emission models, and create tools that support producer management decisions and public policy, ultimately contributing to climate-smart agriculture and natural spaces’ conservation.
These projects represent significant potential for the agriculture sector to both lower emissions and
expand market opportunities through the
application of genomics technology.
“Alberta is looking for innovation to move our province toward a carbon-neutral economy by 2050, and these projects represent significant potential for the agriculture sector to both lower emissions and expand market opportunities through the application of genomics technology,” says David Bailey, President and CEO of Genome Alberta. “Genome Alberta is pleased to invest in Alberta-made solutions for today and tomorrow.”
The Genomics at Work for Prairie’s Crop Industry Summary Report, available at genomealberta.ca, highlights how genomics technology can help the crop sector address challenges and advance opportunities for the future.
To learn more, visit genomealberta.ca.
