New partnership aims to strengthen wheat and barley breeding in Canada.
The Canadian Wheat Research Coalition (CWRC) and the Canadian Barley Research Coalition (CBRC) have announced a new strategic partnership aimed at improving the future of wheat and barley breeding in Canada. The collaboration is expected to help strengthen research efforts, encourage innovation, and ensure farmers continue to have access to high-quality crop varieties.
Both organizations have worked together in the past to support grain producers across Western Canada. Because many farmers grow both wheat and barley, the two groups recognized the value of working more closely to address common challenges facing crop breeding programs. Their new formal partnership creates a stronger foundation for collaboration and long-term planning.
A key goal of the agreement is to improve how wheat and barley varieties are developed. Crop breeding plays an important role in agriculture because it helps create plants that can offer higher yields, better disease resistance, improved quality, and stronger performance under changing environmental conditions.
By combining efforts, the two organizations hope to accelerate progress and deliver greater benefits to producers.
“Our two organizations have a history of working together on behalf of western Canadian farmers, so this formal partnership was a natural fit,” said CWRC chair Jocelyn Velestuk, who farms near Broadview, SK. “Many farmers grow both wheat and barley, and the breeding systems for both crops face similar challenges that we can now address collaboratively.”
The partnership also expands ongoing discussions involving Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC). These discussions began following a review of Canada's wheat breeding innovation system. The review examined opportunities and risks within the current system and explored ways to ensure future breeding programs remain effective and competitive.
Researchers, industry stakeholders, and government representatives have been working together to develop a shared vision for the future of crop breeding.
One of the main priorities identified during these workshops earlier in the year was the need for an innovation-driven breeding system. Modern agriculture continues to face many challenges, including climate variability, evolving plant diseases, and changing market expectations. New crop varieties must be able to perform well in the field while also meeting quality standards required by processors and customers around the world.
The collaboration between CWRC and CBRC is expected to support the development of field-ready crop varieties that provide practical solutions for farmers. These varieties can help producers improve productivity, manage risks, and maintain profitability while contributing to a sustainable agricultural sector.
“We all agreed that the ideal plant breeding system is innovation driven and delivers field-ready varieties that meet the needs of farmers and our end-use customers around the world,” said CBRC chair Scott Jespersen, who farms near Spruce Grove, AB. “Through this new agreement, the CBRC and CWRC hope to ensure the Canadian system meets that standard for many years to come.”
The grain industry is also expected to benefit from the partnership. Better crop varieties can contribute to stronger supply chains, improved product quality, and increased market opportunities. As global demand for high-quality grains continues to grow, investment in crop research and breeding remains an important factor in maintaining Canada's leadership in agricultural production.
The partnership demonstrates a shared commitment to building a stronger future for wheat and barley production. Through continued collaboration, the organizations aim to help create a breeding system that supports innovation, strengthens research outcomes, and delivers long-term value to farmers and the wider agricultural sector.
As the initiative moves forward, stakeholders remain optimistic that the combined efforts of CWRC and CBRC will help shape a modern and effective breeding system. The partnership is expected to contribute to the development of improved crop varieties that serve farmers, support industry growth, and enhance Canada's agricultural competitiveness for years to come.