SCOTT — Western Applied Research Corporation (WARC) was first established in 2003 and has worked alongside Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) at the Scott Research Farm for years. At the annual field tour on July 9, WARC unveiled their new site and buildings.
To help open the facility, WARC staff and board members – past and present – were on hand to witness the fruition of all the years of work. Local MLA, James Thorsteinson, was also in attendance for the momentous occasion.
“Research is incredibly important to the agriculture industry. It explores important questions and provides innovative solutions and technologies to producers. The work of the team here at WARC is invaluable. Transferring knowledge from research to Saskatchewan producers and evaluating how new technologies and practices could impact a producer’s bottom line is what keeps our industry moving forward,” said Thorsteinson during the grand opening.
“Over the past five years, we’ve invested almost $170 million in agriculture research in this province. Supporting research is one of the best investments in agriculture we can make as a government. It helps our industry stay competitive and also ready to anticipate and respond to future challenges and opportunities. We are so fortunate to have fantastic research sites like WARC right here at home, supporting our industry in growing stronger,” added Thorsteinson.
Jason Veikle, current chairperson of WARC, first joined the board in 2024 and is thrilled to oversee the non-profit organization enter their next phase of growth and development in their new location.
“Although our summer staff doesn’t get to see our AAFC counterparts nearly as much as they would like, we are very excited to continue growing and collaborating alongside our peers at the Scott Research Farm. WARC and Ag Canada have enjoyed a mutually beneficial working relationship since our inception in 2003,” added Veikle.
In 2024, WARC received capital funding from Saskatchewan Pulse Growers, Sask Oilseed and Sask Barley to construct the new 48x64 shop. The new facility includes rooms for chemical storage, chemical mixing, grinding and drying, as well as an open area work space.
Veikle was joined by Eric Johnson, Jessica Enns and Kayla Slind to cut the green ribbon and visitors had the opportunity to walk throughout the facility.
