Western Grains Research Foundation (WGRF) would like to thank Minister Ritz and the Government of Canada for their continued partnership and investment in wheat variety development.

The $12.5 million announced today by Minister Ritz when combined with the industry contributions from WGRF ($9.6 million), the Alberta Wheat Commission ($1.3 million) and the Canadian Field Crop Research Alliance ($1.7 million) accounts for a total investment in wheat variety development of more than $25 million over the next five years.

“Investment in wheat variety development has historically earned a very high return for producers,” said WGRF Board Chair Dave Sefton of Broadview Saskatchewan. “Ongoing and increased investment in research is needed for producers to continue to have access to the best performing wheat varieties” noted Sefton.

Since 1995 WGRF has been investing almost $5 Million dollars annually into wheat breeding research on behalf of producers in Western Canada. WGRF has assisted in the development and release of more than 120 new wheat varieties over the past 18 years, many of which are today seeded to large portions of the cropland in Western Canada.

“Co-ordination and collaboration is important to ensuring producers get the most out of their investment in wheat variety development,” said Garth Patterson, WGRF Executive Director. WGRF would like to thank the Alberta Wheat Commission and the Canadian Field Crop Research Alliance as the other industry funders who were instrumental in putting this successful cluster application together. “WGRF will also be working with producer organizations in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and BC, as well as Cereals Canada to make this truly a national approach to wheat variety development” said Patterson.

Research activities will be carried out across Canada at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, University of Alberta, University of Manitoba, University of Saskatchewan, University of Guelph, and Le Centre de recherche sur les grains (CÉROM) in Quebec. The work done at these institutions will address regional needs as well as contribute to the development of enhanced germplasm and breeding tools that will increase the efficiency of all breeding programs.

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For further information, contact:

Mike Espeseth

Communications Manager
Western Grains Research Foundation
306-975-0365
MikeEspeseth@westerngrains.com