Working together for wheat and barley leadership and influence
Recognizing the important role that producer funding of public breeding plays in delivering new wheat and barley varieties for increased farm profitability, Western Canada’s wheat and barley organizations formed a working group to consider options for continued leadership and influence. Participants included:
- Alberta Barley
- Alberta Wheat Commission
- BC Grain Producers Association
- Manitoba Wheat and Barley Growers Association
- Saskatchewan Barley Development Commission
- Saskatchewan Wheat Development Commission
- Saskatchewan Winter Cereals Development Commission
- Winter Cereals Manitoba
- WGRF (facilitator)
In 2015, the working group engaged JRG Consulting Group to explore a range of opportunities for producer involvement and leadership in wheat and barley variety development. The consultant’s report emphasizes the importance of continued and increased public, producer and private industry investment in wheat and barley variety development, and the benefits to producers. It also identifies and evaluates five options for producers to intensify their leadership and realize the benefits of future variety development.
The consultant’s report is available below, and on the websites of the participating organizations. The organizations are encouraging farmers and other interested stakeholders to read the report and provide comments. The five options put forward are intended to stimulate dialogue and none have been endorsed by the working group.
JRG Consulting Wheat Barley Breeding Executive Summary for Public Distribution
JRG Consulting Wheat Barley Breeding Report Annexes for Public Distribution
JRG Consulting Wheat Barley Breeding Report for Public Distribution
JRG Consulting Wheat Barley Presentation for Public Distribution