Alberta Wheat Commission investing $150,000 into research

Mar 23, 2015

Projects will be focused on winter wheat

Without research and development initiatives, the world might look like a slightly different place.

If Martin Cooper and his team didn’t research, develop and ultimately invent the first cellular telephone, we wouldn’t be able to communicate as efficiently as we do today.

If German engineer Nikolaus Otto didn’t do the research and development to invent the internal combustion engine most cars run on, transportation might look much different.

The Alberta Wheat Commission is investing $150,000 into winter wheat research and development projects to help farmers get better returns with better agronomic practices.

“Winter wheat is already a high yielding class with good milling properties, but the amount of acres grown in Western Canada do not reflect the market potential,” said Kevin Auch, Vice-chairman, Alberta Wheat Commission in a press release. “By building on the agronomic groundwork of this class, farmers will have added incentive to grow winter wheat because of the returns it will offer,” Auch added.

Other partners in the research endeavours include Ducks Unlimited Canada, Winter Cereals Manitoba and Western Grains Research Foundation, Saskatchewan Winter Cereals Development Commission and others. The total investment amount from all the partners will equal about $2.2 million.

The projects will focus on allowing farmers to gain more agronomic know-how to tap into some otherwise abandoned markets when it comes to winter wheat. They will include such topics as pest control, managing input, and expanding their seeding windows.

Dr. Brian Beres, at the AAFC Lethbridge Research Station in cooperation with Ducks Unlimited Canada will lead the research.

“In recent years, winter wheat has consistently been one of the highest net income producing crops in Prairie Canada,” said Paul Thoroughgood, Regional Agrologist of Ducks Unlimited Canada in a press release. “Agronomic research conducted in this study, including fertility, disease and weed management, stand establishment and lengthening the fall seeding window, will help more farmers realize the benefits of including winter wheat in their cropping system.”

Join the conversation and tell us some of the things you hope this research uncovers.

Alberta Wheat Commission

Video: Early Fall Colors | Scenic Ontario Road Trip!

All adventures must come to an end, but not without one more journey! Join The Wandering Shepherds as we say farewell to our cozy Calabogie cottage and take the scenic road trip home to Ewetopia Farms. Our first stop was a breathtaking hydroelectric generating station, framed by cliffs, rushing water, and brilliant fall leaves that seemed to have changed overnight. From there, we meandered along winding backroads through lakes and hills, soaking in the spectacular autumn scenery. This year, the colors seemed to arrive earlier than usual—perhaps due to the summer’s drought? Whatever the reason, it was an unforgettable display of Ontario’s fall beauty. Finally, our holiday drew to a close as we pulled back into Ewetopia Farms, ready to return to the sheep and our daily vlogs. But this trip reminded us how important it is to pause, explore, and appreciate the simple beauty around us.