Vision

Profitable and sustainable western Canadian grain farmers

Mission

Producers directing investment in crop research to benefit western Canadian grain farmers

Goal #1: Fund crop research to benefit western Canadian grain farmers

Objectives

  • Proactively respond to changing production and research funding challenges.
  • Fund research that provides the greatest impact (short- and long-term profitability) to western Canadian grain farmers.
  • Focus on public research.
  • Collaborate with other funding agencies on research
  • Enhance Canadian crop research

Outputs

  • WGRF research funding encompasses a broad range of crops (major, intermediate, and developing).
  • Priority research areas are variety development (e.g. genetics, breeding methods, pre-breeding, breeding, pathology, quality, trialing) and production (e.g. cropping systems, fertility management, pest management, storage).
  • WGRF is a leader and funder of initiatives on complex, whole farm issues using a multi-crop approach (e.g. sustainability, integrated pest management, soil health, cropping systems, fertilizer use efficiency, genomic tools).
  • WGRF collaborates with producer commodity organizations and funding agencies on research calls, funding and administration of
  • New funding opportunities are leveraged.
  • Remaining wheat and barley funds are invested in research consistent with the priorities of the wheat/barley commissions/associations.
  • WGRF participates in policy discussions and provides funding relevant to crop research capacity, programming, research chairs, scholarships, and infrastructure.

Goal #2: Create awareness of WGRF research funding and facilitate knowledge transfer

Objectives

  • Understand priorities of members and stakeholders.
  • Describe WGRF accomplishments, priorities and initiatives to members and stakeholders.
  • Communicate WGRF’s research funding activities and their outcomes.
  • Encourage extension/technology transfer of research results to agronomists and farmers.

Outputs

  • Regular interaction occurs between WGRF and members/stakeholders to share information and identify research/technology transfer opportunities.
  • Information on new project funding and outcomes of WGRF funded research is made available to
  • Research results are provided to agronomists and farmers through support of extension/technology transfer tools and events.
  • A positive WGRF “brand” is maintained.

Goal #3: Provide effective governance

Objectives

  • Maintain effective board and committee decision making processes.
  • Be a long-term sustainable research funder, with a sound strategic plan and highly respected for governance and decision-making processes.
  • Create an environment for continued growth by being receptive to new ideas and opportunities within the parameters of the vision and mission.

Outputs

  • Board meetings are conducted regularly (minimum 3 per year) and Committee meetings are conducted as required.
  • Board decisions are effectively executed. Semi-annual program reports and quarterly financial reports are received from management.
  • The strategic plan is reviewed regularly (every 3 years).
  • WGRF internal policies and procedures are current, relevant and being adhered
  • An annual external audit is conducted, with no significant concerns reported.
  • Annual member meetings are conducted. Members receive semi-annual updates.
  • Administrative costs to support programming are 10% or less.
  • The Endowment fund is maintained at a sustainable level.
  • A positive environment is maintained for Directors and staff, resulting in low turnover.