The new wheat cluster will focus on developing wheat varieties in all market classes that have higher yield, quality, and disease resistance
Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz has announced $25 million in funding to a national wheat research “cluster.”
“Innovation is critical to moving Canada’s wheat industry forward,” Ritz said when making the announcement at Agri-Trade here earlier this month. “Our government continues to partner with industry and academia to do what it takes to get our wheat yields back on the growth curve.”
Led by the Western Grains Research Foundation (WGRF) and supported by the Canadian Field Crops Research Alliance (CFCRA) and the Alberta Wheat Commission (AWC), the national wheat improvement cluster will bring together scientific expertise from across Canada, including the research centres in Lacombe and Lethbridge, to develop wheat varieties in all classes that have higher yield, quality, and disease resistance. “Every dollar invested by wheat producers in varietal research puts over $20 back in your pocket,” said Minister Ritz. “It’s a good investment.”
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The $12.5 million in federal funding will combine with the industry contribution of $9.6 million from WGRF, $1.3 million from the AWC, and $1.7 million from the CFCRA to account for a total investment of more than $25 million in the wheat cluster over the next five years.
That investment is needed if wheat producers hope to remain competitive on the global stage, said Keith Degenhardt, vice-chair of the WGRF. “In order to have wheat varieties keep coming, we need to keep that pipeline going, and that requires a long-term commitment to do it. Ongoing investment in research is needed for producers to continue to have access to the best performing wheat varieties.”
As administrator of the funding, the WGRF hopes to continue its solid track record of investing in wheat research that will provide the best return for producers.
“Producer investments in wheat variety development have and will continue to provide a solid return for western Canadian wheat growers,” Degenhardt said.
Since 1995, WGRF has invested about $5 million annually and $6 million from its endowment fund into wheat-breeding research. And the results speak for themselves, said Degenhardt. “WGRF has assisted in the development and release of more than 120 higher-yielding wheat varieties with improved disease and pest resistance over the past 18 years.”
As the organization representing Alberta’s wheat growers, the AWC chose the wheat cluster as one of its first major investments. “Alberta producers recognize the importance of having strong varieties and excellent agronomics,” said Terry Young, AWC’s chair of the research and development committee. “Producers are proud of the breeding program that Canada has built and want to help it prosper,” Young said. A “three-p partnership” — public, private, and producer — is needed for breeding efforts and ongoing research to continue to excel, according to Young. “In order to have a vibrant, sustainable, and competitive wheat industry, breeding efforts, especially those at Ag Canada, must continue to receive funding necessary to produce consistently reliable varieties in response to the changing environment.”
Crosby Devitt, chair of the CFCRA, believes that this national co-ordinated research effort will also provide greater market opportunities for Canadian growers. “The new wheat lines developed through this research program will be adapted for the diverse growing regions across Canada and specialized for the key market opportunities that benefit the entire Canadian wheat sector,” said Devitt. “We are looking forward to the next five years of research and the results that will strengthen Canada’s position as a leader in wheat production globally.”
