Federal government funds more efficient grain drying technologies

Ottawa – The federal government will help support 45 new projects related to adopting more efficient grain drying technology by farmers in Canada.

With this investment of up to more than $22.2 million through the Agricultural Clean Technology Program – Adoption Stream, the Program has now supported 99 grain dryer projects across the country, representing a total of more than $37.1 million, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada said in a news release.

$50 million is being set aside for the purchase and installation of more efficient grain dryers and $10 million set aside for fuel switching initiatives.

For example, Geerts Farms Ltd., a 26,000-acre family operated producer of canola, wheat and oats in Kamsack, Sask., is receiving up to $2 million to purchase and install a new grain dryer and biomass boiler that is powered by locally sourced wood waste. As a result, the use of propane in the drying process will be eliminated completely.

“Our goal is to help the Canadian agricultural sector innovate and adopt clean technologies,” said Marie-Claude Bibeau, minister of agriculture and agri-food. “This investment in more efficient grain drying technology will help to reduce the sector’s greenhouse gas emissions and leverage technology to be more resilient to climate change.”