Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) says next year will be a transition period, with the Seed Increase Unit operating out of both Indian Head and Saskatoon.

The announcement was made in a late Friday afternoon AAFC news release.

It stated that full field operational capacity for all crops, including wheat and forages, will be maintained at Indian Head in 2027. Next year, Saskatoon will conduct field operations for all Seed Increase Unit crops, with the exception of wheat and forages.

The Seed Increase Unit gets small amounts of seed from research scientists and propagates breeder seeds. The seeds are then distributed to pedigreed growers for multiplication and sale as certified.

The Indian Head Research Farm and the Scott Research Farm are slated for closure in the coming months in a cost-cutting move. The federal and provincial governments are currently in negotiations to determine if research can continue at the two locations, with the possibility of producer organizations being involved as well.