Wheat midge adults are tiny orange-coloured flying insects that are typically observed at dusk under calm conditions.

‘Midgebusters’ lead research attack on wheat midge

From mechanical deterrents like awns to taking inspiration from old varieties, one research team hopes to find new genetic weapons against wheat midge canonical in normal spot

Reading Time: 4 minutes From mechanical deterrents like awns to taking inspiration from old varieties, one research team hopes to find new genetic weapons against wheat midge

All varieties of durum wheat in Canada are now low-cadmium lines thanks to breeding efforts in the mid-2000s, and with the recent mapping of the durum genome, wheat breeders will be able to screen the germplasm for the gene that causes cadmium accumulation in the grain much faster.

Canadian researchers crack the case of high-cadmium durum

The recent mapping of durum wheat genome has solved a mystery 30 years in the making — why some varieties are high in cadmium while others are low

Reading Time: 4 minutes Cadmium accumulation in Canadian durum has been a “solved problem” since 2005 — but now genomics have allowed researchers to finally understand why it was a problem in the first place. “It’s a really elegant story about how both breeding and the fundamental science of why cadmium moves in the durum plant actually came together […] Read more


Move those old wheat varieties soon

Move those old wheat varieties soon

Reading Time: < 1 minute The Prairie wheat commissions are reminding farmers of the upcoming reclassification of 29 wheat varieties. On Aug. 1, 25 varieties currently in the Canada Western Red Spring class (along with four Canada Prairie Spring Red varieties) will move to the Canada Northern Hard Red class. These include Harvest, Lillian, and Unity, which were grown on […] Read more

This photo is from a video from seed production and distributor FP Genetics, which lauds AC Muchmore for its yield and standability. It’s a hugely popular variety in Alberta, claiming nearly 400,000 acres last year.

Alberta Wheat decries pending loss of two popular wheat varieties

AC Muchmore and AAC Redwater will suffer from a price drop 
when they move to the northern red class

Reading Time: 3 minutes Five wheat varieties will be moving out of the Canadian Western Red Spring class, much to the disappointment of Alberta Wheat — and many farmers in the province. “We were surprised when it was announced that these varieties were coming out of the class. We were trying to look at all the farmers’ needs,” said […] Read more


Cluny-area farmer Hannah Konschuh, pictured with her father Eldon, has changed up both 
the wheat class and varieties she’s growing, with good results.

Wheat class is now in session — which one will you grow?

Hard red spring dominates wheat acres in Alberta, but you have to do the math for your farm

Reading Time: 3 minutes So what’s it going to be on your wheat acres? Canadian Prairie Spring or Canadian Western Red Spring? “For us, it all comes down to what we can grow well and how it pencils out in terms of profitability,” said Hannah Konschuh, who farms near Cluny. “Usually, it’s dictated by the markets. At this point […] Read more

(Jack Dykinga photo courtesy ARS/USDA)

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