Reading Time: 3 minutes It’s only early spring, but things are already heating up in southern Alberta. Research scientist John Laurie has just planted the federal government’s first plots of gene-edited wheat at the Lethbridge Research and Development Centre. These lines are grown in a greenhouse after being successfully propagated in growth chambers. Laurie is excited for where his […] Read more
Alberta researcher blazes gene editing trail
AAFC launches gene edited wheat trials at Lethbridge research farm
Renowned U of A wheat-breeding program hanging on — for now
It’s now cranking out new varieties but government cuts threaten program’s revival, says top breeder
Reading Time: 3 minutes Further cuts to post-secondary institutions could lead to the “canola-ization” of wheat breeding. And that’s not a good thing, says one of the country’s top wheat breeders. “I think farmers would say the canola experience is a mistake — letting private enterprise take it over,” said University of Alberta professor, Dean Spaner. “Effectively, they’re breeding […] Read more
University of Alberta wheat breeders supported
Reading Time: < 1 minute Alberta Wheat and its Prairie counterparts have pledged $2 million over five years for the University of Alberta’s wheat-breeding program. U of A researchers will focus on Canadian Western Red Spring and Canadian Prairie Spring Red. The aim is to develop three to five registered varieties with traits of early maturity, shorter straw stalk, and […] Read more
U of A gets more funding from grains foundation
Reading Time: < 1 minute The University of Alberta is getting a research plot seeder and combine for its wheat-breeding program thanks to a $289,000 grant from the Western Grains Research Foundation. The program focuses on development of hard red (CWRS) and high-yield (CPS) spring wheat varieties, and also conducts research into genetics of disease resistance, nitrogen-use efficiency in wheat, […] Read more
‘Genomic atlas’ a boon for wheat breeders
Reading Time: < 1 minute An international team of nearly 100 researchers led by the University of Saskatchewan has sequenced the genomes for 15 wheat varieties. “By having many complete gene assemblies available, we can now help solve the huge puzzle that is the massive wheat pan-genome and usher in a new era for wheat discovery and breeding,” said project […] Read more
Prairie wheat commissions to collaborate on research funding
The Prairie provinces’ three wheat commissions are set to take a team approach to research funding through a new not-for-profit body. The Alberta Wheat Commission, Sask Wheat and the Manitoba Wheat and Barley Growers Association on Tuesday announced the formation of the Canadian Wheat Research Coalition (CWRC) to “facilitate long-term investments aimed at improving profitability […] Read more
Minogue: Wanna start a cereal seed company?
It’s clear from where the Prairies’ cereal growers’ groups sit that it’s time for farmers to get more involved in wheat and barley breeding — and they have a new report in hand suggesting ways to do so. Options in the report, from the newly-formed Wheat and Barley Variety Working Group, range from improving the […] Read more
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