CWRC allocates nearly $20 million to AAFC wheat breeding activities

The Canadian Wheat Research Coalition (CWRC) has announced an investment of $19.9 million over the next three years in a core breeding agreement (CBA) with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC). This funding aims to develop field-ready wheat varieties, ensuring Prairie farmers have continued access to high quality wheat genetics.

The new agreement is intended to support AAFC’s breeding programs, addressing challenges such as disease, pests, and adverse weather conditions.

Dean Hubbard, CWRC chair and a farmer near Claresholm, Alberta, says this agreement is about making sure Canadian wheat farmers continue to have access to top-quality varieties that perform in the real world.

“By supporting AAFC’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.”

The CWRC’s funding through the 2025-28 CBA will support the development of various wheat varieties, including Canada Western Red Spring, Canada Western Amber Durum, Canada Prairie Spring Red, Canada Western Soft White Spring, and Canada Western Red Winter. These varieties are designed to reduce business risk and enhance competitiveness for western Canadian farmers.

AAFC’s breeding efforts will focus on developing wheat varieties with strong resistance to diseases such as Fusarium head blight, rusts, and leaf spotting diseases, as well as insect pests like the orange wheat blossom midge and wheat stem sawfly. Additionally, AAFC will prioritize varieties that can withstand environmental stresses such as heat and drought. All new varieties will adhere to strict quality standards to meet market needs.

Minister of AAFC, Heath MacDonald, notes the long-standing support AAFC has provided to Canadian farmers.

“Researchers with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada have been breeding wheat for 100 years, supporting Canadian farmers in maintaining their global reputation for producing a premium product,” explains Minister MacDonald. “This investment will ensure our farmers have wheat varieties that can better overcome disease and weather challenges, and maintain Canada’s competitive advantage in cereal production.”

The CWRC’s investment is distributed among its founding members through a funding shares agreement. The coalition also maintains CBAs with the University of Saskatchewan Crop Development Centre, the University of Manitoba, and the University of Alberta.