Manitoba Crop Alliance sets new course

May 22, 2024

Five years post-amalgamation, the Manitoba Crop Alliance is well established, according to chief executive officer Pam de Rocquigny.

Now, the multi-commodity farm group’s new strategic plan is looking to future opportunities.

Why it matters: Commodity groups representing wheat, winter wheat, barley, corn, flax and sunflower growers merged in 2020 to form the Manitoba Crop Alliance.

“We’re ready to build on that strong foundation … where can we now move the needle?” de Rocquigny said.

The MCA’s first strategic plan, released in 2022, was about delivering on what they’d promised to members when they chose to amalgamate, she said.

The new plan is the first not put out under pandemic conditions.

Canada plunged into lockdowns only weeks after members voted to amalgamate, de Rocquigny noted. That made it difficult to decipher what a normal budget for the organization should look like or what forward-thinking strategies should be during the early days of the MCA.

The 2024-2027 plan was released at the beginning of May. The document laid out three overarching goals and nine “step goals” to be accomplished in the first year and/or renewed once the calendar ticks over. Each small goal includes metrics so that the MCA can demonstrate what they’ve accomplished to farmer members, de Rocquigny said.

The first big goal is to innovate MCA’s communication program to increase awareness and engagement with members. First-year goals include audience research and identifying strategic communication initiatives.

MCA’s directors and crop committee delegates wanted to ensure their communications are hitting the mark, de Rocquigny said. With 7,700 members, some farmers may not know much about the MCA is or what it does with farmer checkoff dollars.

The second big goal revolves around research. Research and development is the MCA’s biggest budget item. They’ve set a good foundation with their Whole Farm Research and Research on the Farm programs, de Rogquigny said. They want to continue funding research that will solve problems farmers are facing and that will meet the needs of those growing smaller crops that don’t get as much research attention.

This includes a step goal of developing partnerships across the border.

Organizations like North Dakota State University might be able to expand Manitoban farmers’ pool of knowledge, particularly on crops like corn, de Rocquigny noted.

The third big goal is to explore areas for investment “that unlocks hidden potential and fuels historic progress.”

This includes a study on potential value-added initiatives, increasing support to consumer outreach programs and speaking with research and development partners to capture opportunities the MCA may have missed.

Click here to see more...

Video: How a Desire to Lead Brought This Wheat Breeder to Canada

Gurcharn Singh Brar is a wheat breeder whose path meandered from the breadbaskets of Punjab, India, to the sprawling fields of the Prairies. In a candid conversation, Brar shared insights into his journey, the challenges faced, and the undying passion that fuels his quest for better crops.

It all began with a childhood rooted in the wheat fields of Punjab, where agriculture isn’t just a livelihood but a way of life. His fascination with wheat and its potential led him to pursue a bachelor’s degree in agricultural sciences at Punjab Agricultural University. It was during this time that he encountered the spectre of rust diseases, particularly stripe rust, which plagued the region’s wheat crops. Determined to combat this menace, he set his sights on a journey that would take him across continents.

Venturing abroad for his graduate studies, he found himself in Saskatchewan at the Crop Development Centre (CDC), working under the mentorship of renowned researchers like Randy Kutcher and Pierre Hucl. Here, he delved deep into the world of wheat genetics, focusing on stripe rust resistance — a quest that would shape his academic pursuits for years to come.

After completing his master’s and Ph.D. in six and a half years, he embarked on a professional journey that would see him traverse academia and research. From brief stints as a research officer to landing his dream faculty position at the University of British Columbia’s Plant Science program, his career trajectory was marked by a strong drive to make a difference in the world of wheat.

Despite the allure of British Columbia’s unique agricultural landscape, he found himself wanting to return to the vast expanses of the Prairies, where wheat reigns supreme. He recently returned to the Prairies and is the new wheat breeder at the University of Alberta in Edmonton.

“The opportunity to lead an established wheat breeding program at the University of Alberta was a dream come true. With the necessary resources and infrastructure in place, I’m excited to drive innovation and develop high-yielding wheat varieties tailored to the unique conditions of northern Canada,” he says.

Brar, one of Seed World Canada‘s 2024 Next-Gen Leaders, has become known for identifying novel sources of resistance to priority diseases and his efforts in developing wheat germplasm with multiple disease-resistant traits.

In addition to his groundbreaking research, Brar is committed to mentoring the next generation of agricultural scientists.

“I believe in nurturing talent and empowering students to pursue their passions,” he says. “Watching my students grow and thrive in their research endeavours is hugely rewarding.”

As he looks ahead, Brar’s vision for the future of wheat breeding is clear: “My number one target is to develop high-yielding wheat varieties adapted to the northern climates of Canada. By focusing on early maturity and strong straw traits, we can maximize yield potential while ensuring resilience to environmental challenges.”

His decision to also join the Prairie Recommending Committee for Wheat, Rye, and Triticale (PGDC) executive as member-at-large came from a desire to play an even more important role in the world of Canadian cereals.