Manitoba Crop Alliance Officially an Agent for SR&ED
On Thursday, February 11, 2021, the Manitoba Crop Alliance (MCA) held its inaugural Annual General Meeting (AGM) where it passed a pair of resolutions.  One resolution named the MCA as the agent for producers for the scientific research and experimental development (SR&ED) tax program. The other resolution encouraged a reduction of nitrous oxide (N2O) gas emissions from soil and fertilizer use through a farmer to farmer soil and crop management learning forum.1
Manitoba Crop Alliance Officially an Agent for SR&ED
The Manitoba Crop Alliance funds research and market development for winter wheat, spring wheat, barley, sunflower, corn and flax growers in Manitoba. The resolution reads:
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT:
Manitoba Crop Alliance acts as the agent for producers in all matters relating to Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) tax incentive program in regards to spring wheat, winter wheat, barley, grain corn, sunflowers, and flax.2
Farmers often pay levies and check-offs to agricultural organizations that invest in SR&ED for their crops. This will allow those who pay levy to check-off to the organization to be eligible for SR&ED investment tax credits (ITCs) on those payments. Each year the percentage available for a refund is released based on the percentage of SR&ED work. Please see our page SR&ED and Agriculture: Hidden Tax Credits from Levy and Check-Off for a more in-depth look at levies, check-offs, and SR&ED ITCs.
Reduction to N20 Gas Emissions
The MCA aims to align with the Paris Agreement World-wide climate emergency goals and farmers are adversely affected by Green House Gas (GHG) Emissions including the release of Nitrous oxide (N2O) gas from the soil.3 Scientific research has shown that the use of Nitrogen fertilizer can be reduced by 20-25% without an impact to crop production. The resolution states:4
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT:
1. Manitoba Crop Alliance (MCA) will set up a ongoing Farmer to Farmer Soils and Crops Management educational forum to help farmers implement Best Management Practices aimed to reduce Nitrous Oxide (N2O) Green House Gas (GHG) release from our soils.
2. The Forum would help demonstrate for Farmers the preferred scientific and cost effective ways that are known to help to reduce the release of N2O GHG from our soil, for example Four R Nitrogen Fertilizer use, proper crop rotations, use of cover crops, use of perennial crops and pulse crops.
3. By providing this forum, Manitoba Crop Alliance will assist Farmers to help meet the Paris climate goals while doing so with very modest cost to ensure better soils and climate for us all.
4. This forum could be actual demonstration, or virtual, or printed, or by other means with the MCA in contact with the science community and farmers.5
Conclusion
This resolution officially names the Manitoba Crop Alliance as an agent for SR&ED for spring wheat, winter wheat, barley, grain corn, sunflower, and flax. This will allow those who pay levy to check-off to the organization to be eligible for SR&ED investment tax credits. Please see our page for additional information on how growers can apply for those SR&ED ITCs SR&ED and Agriculture: Hidden Tax Credits from Levy and Check-Off.