University of Guelph Professorship Will Tackle Wheat Breeding
By Amanda Brodhagen, Farms.com
A new position created at the University of Guelph aims to focus on winter wheat breeding in Ontario. Grain Farmers of Ontario and SeCan announced a $1-million investment to fund a professorship in wheat breeding in the Department of Plant Agriculture at the University of Guelph.
Henry Van Ankum, Chair of Grain Farmers of Ontario calls the investment a way to address the need for cereal breeding in the province. Over the years, institutions have lost four researchers who had focused on wheat research, with two specializing in winter wheat breeding.
“The goal is for our farmer-members to benefit from the development of new, locally adaptable varieties with the functional qualities desired by end-users,” said Vankum.
In addition to focusing on wheat breeding, the new professor will also partake in the Ontario Cereal Crop Committee, a group that oversees cereal registration and organizes performance testing. The professorship position is expected to be filled by 2014. Grain Farmers of Ontario said that it plans to work closely with the successful candidate to provide direction on research priorities.