Investment is worth more than $3 million
By Diego Flammini, Farms.com
A multi-million dollar research partnership has been signed by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, CANTERRA SEEDS, and the Alberta Wheat Commission that will see the commercialization of a new wheat varieties.
The $3.4 million research partnership will develop and commercialize Canadian Prairie Spring wheat varieties.
The government’s contribution will total nearly $1.2 million.
"There's no question that this collaborative approach to research is the way forward in today's competitive environment,” said Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz in a release. “This partnership between the federal government, producers and private industry will support Canadian wheat producers in the global marketplace by helping them maximize their commercial and trade opportunities.”
The remaining balance will be taken care of by the Alberta Wheat Commission and CANTERRA SEEDS.
Canadian Prairie Spring wheat is best characterized for having lower protein and weaker gluten. Its characteristics allow it to be used to produce French bread, flatbreads, pita and crackers.
The partnership is a public-private-producer partnership, known as a P4.
"This P4 partnership speaks to the level of co-operation that exists in our industry, both public and private,” said CANTERRA SEEDS President and CEO David Hansen. “The Agricultural Growth Act set the stage for this, and I fully expect farmers will see cascading benefits of the modernization of industry regulations and new partnerships like the one we are announcing today.”
Wheat accounts for about $4 billion annually to the Canadian agricultural industry. Almost 100% of wheat is grown in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Only 4% is grown in Eastern Canada.