CWRC Commits Nearly $20 Million to Ag Canada Wheat Breeding Programs

The Canadian Wheat Research Coalition (CWRC)) has committed nearly $20 million over the next three years to a core breeding agreement with Agriculture Canada for the development of field-ready wheat varieties. 
The new agreement will ensure Prairie farmers can continue to access high-quality wheat varieties and associated genetics from Ag Canada’s breeding programs for years to come, said a statement Tuesday. 

The CWRC is a collaboration between Manitoba Crop Alliance, the Saskatchewan Wheat Development Commission and Alberta Grains aimed at improving the net relative profitability of wheat for western Canadian farmers. 

The CWRC’s $19.9-million investment through the new core breeding program is divided among the organization’s founding members by a funding shares agreement. The CWRC also maintains breeding agreements with the University of Saskatchewan Crop Development Centre, the University of Manitoba and the University of Alberta. 
“This agreement is about making sure Canadian wheat farmers continue to have access to top-quality varieties that perform in the real world,” said Dean Hubbard, CWRC chair and a farmer near Claresholm, AB. “By supporting (Ag Canada’s) breeding work, we are helping tackle some of the biggest challenges on the farm, like disease, pests and tough weather, while keeping our focus on the quality standards our customers count on.” 
CWRC funding via the 2025-28 core breeding agreement will support the development of field-ready Canada Western Red Spring, Canada Western Amber Durum, Canada Prairie Spring Red, Canada Western Soft White Spring and Canada Western Red Winter wheat varieties that reduce business risk and enhance competitiveness for western Canadian farmers.  
Ag Canada will aim to develop wheat varieties with strong resistance to diseases such as Fusarium head blight, rusts and leaf spotting diseases, as well as insect pests such as orange wheat blossom midge and wheat stem sawfly. Ag Canada will also prioritize new varieties that can withstand adverse environmental conditions such as heat and drought stress. Strict quality standards will ensure all new varieties address market needs, the statement said.