François Hudes says Agriculture Canada’s scientific capabilities are no less than they were before 2000. What’s really changed is the speed of technology.
François Youde wears two hats, both of which play a key role in guiding the direction of plant science and breeding research at Agriculture and Food Canada (AAFC).
Initial role: Eudes is the director of research, development and technology for AAFC’s Science and Technology division for its Alberta facilities, a position he has held since 2015. He oversees a large group of staff across two research and development centres (Lethbridge and Lacombe) and two satellite research farms (Beaverlodge and Vauxhall) and manages resources related to science programs.
Second role: He is the national AAFC scientific lead for the Breeding Innovation and Crop Germplasm Development portfolio, bringing together AAFC’s breeding scientific capabilities.
With a background in plant biology and breeding innovation, Eudes has been a central figure in driving AAFC’s scientific agenda since joining the executive team nearly 10 years ago.
This is an agenda undergoing significant change, most notably AAFC’s foray into biotechnology and the impact that vision has had on the AAFC itself.
“AAFC is investing heavily in cutting-edge areas such as genomics, proteomics and crop genetics – areas of science that are essential to advancing breeding techniques and improving crop yields,” he says.
“Our vision is driven in large part by how science is done and how organizations like AAFC conduct and fund research. Over the decades, our focus has shifted to emerging fields such as nanotechnology and quantum physics that would have been unimaginable in the agricultural sector 40 years ago.”
Eudes’s journey from researcher to administrator reflects the evolving nature of agricultural research, where the integration of diverse scientific expertise is essential to success.
Eudes, who grew up in France and conducted his research in Quebec, emphasizes that the evolution of AAFC’s priorities over the years reflects broader changes in the scientific community.
The change means that while AAFC may now have fewer chief scientists, those who are deployed will be better resourced and supported, he said, adding that AAFC encourages transformative approaches and fosters greater collaboration both internally and externally.
Public-private synergy
AAFC’s Henry de Gooijer has worked with Eudes for many years and believes the vision his friend and colleague brings to AAFC’s research agenda has helped make the organization more efficient, agile and effective.
Henry de Guillet, one of Eudes’s AAFC colleagues and an adviser to the science partnership, said integrating public and private efforts is crucial, especially in areas where private investment is limited.
AAFC’s scientists and breeders are world-class and are constantly seeking to innovate and change, but as technology evolves and new tools become available, AAFC must figure out how to incorporate these advancements to stay efficient and competitive on a global scale, he says.
De Gooijer has worked with Eudes for many years and believes the vision his friend and colleague brings to AAFC’s research agenda has helped make the organization more efficient, agile and effective.
“Part of the industry may think that change is not happening fast enough, while others may question why change is necessary if the current system works,” de Gooyer says.
“Maintaining production capacity in a changing world is just as important as farmers updating their seeding systems. Without the changes over the last 30 or 40 years, we wouldn’t be as advanced as we are today.”
De Guijer says it’s important not just to maintain AAFC’s status, but also to be able to grow and meet industry expectations. Recent staffing plans include hiring new scientists specializing in phenomics and genomics, areas crucial for improving crop selection and breeding efficiency.
“My experience with François shows that he has a strong grasp of the opportunities these technologies bring, but also a realistic view of the challenges of implementing them,” adds De Gouillet.
“Another great quality of his is that he is not afraid to push for change – not recklessly, but with a clear sense of purpose. He understands that to adopt new technology, you need to take a courageous step.”
Looking back over the decades can help understand the evolution of agricultural science, Eudes says. First, it’s important to consider how science itself has evolved, and then how organizations like AAFC conduct and fund research. This evolution has been gradual and becomes clearer when viewed over a longer period of time.
“When it comes to plant biology, AAFC’s scientific capabilities today are no less than they were before 2000. We may have fewer lead scientists, but they are better resourced. We encourage creativity and transformative approaches and foster stronger collaboration both internally and externally. Our role doesn’t just involve conducting science, it also includes ensuring that our innovations reach the market and benefit the agricultural sector,” says Eudes.
For example, AAFC breeders have gone a step beyond simply releasing registered products: These products are now offered to organizations that can bring them to market through a competitive process, he notes.
“Our goal is to support the success of not only AAFC scientists, but also scientists in academia and the private sector. This collaboration is critical, especially in Canada, where small and medium-sized enterprises contribute less than in the EU or the U.S.,” he added.
“For hybrid crops like canola, corn and soybean, multinational companies dominate the market because they can control the return on investment. But with perennial forage crops, the situation is different, and private companies are not developing new generations of these crops in Canada. This work has been left to the public sector, including through our breeding programs and collaborations with the University of Saskatchewan.”
Between these extremes, different crops fall at different points on the breeding continuum, he notes.
“AAFC’s role is to generate science and innovation that supports ecosystems of diverse plant species, the success of which depends on understanding the properties of each plant species and its associated markets,” he adds.
“Our goal is not just to generate knowledge but to ensure its application, bridging the gap between scientific innovation and impactful commercialization.”
