MCA News

The primary objective for the UM’s FHB screening nursery is to continue evaluating breeding lines for their reaction to Fusarium graminearum – the most common causal agent of FHB. As one of few FHB screening nurseries in Canada, the UM program returns vital information to the network of western Canadian breeding efforts, and is the key to developing future wheat varieties with FHB resistance. While the focus for winter wheat research will be the delivery of field ready cultivars, development of new genetic tools to help improve winter wheat quality will feature heavily. The agreement, which is an increase of $1.6 million over the previous core breeding agreement, also includes the training of students as future scientists in wheat research.

Known for her contributions to FHB research, UM’s long-time winter wheat breeder Dr. Anita Brûlé-Babel is set to retire this December, with Dr. Curt McCartney assuming the role. Prior to joining the UM, McCartney was a research scientist at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) in Morden, Manitoba, where he focused on cereal genetics targeting resistance to FHB, leaf and stem rust, and orange wheat blossom midge.

“This foundational funding of UM’s wheat breeding program ensures the continued evaluation of FHB resistance of breeding lines from across the Prairies,” says McCartney. “Dr. Brûlé-Babel’s research has been critically important for developing varieties with improved FHB resistance and has provided excellent training for graduate students. With this new agreement, I plan to build upon her successes through the development and implementation of genomics-assisted breeding techniques.”

The CWRC is a collaboration between the Alberta Wheat Commission, Saskatchewan Wheat Development Commission and the Manitoba Crop Alliance with a focus on funding genetic and agronomic wheat research for western Canadian farmers. The UM agreement represents the fourth and final core funding agreement with the public wheat breeding programs in Western Canada. Previously announced agreements include $22.6 million to AAFC, $9.6 million to the University of Saskatchewan’s Crop Development Centre, and $2 million to the University of Alberta. These core agreements provide support to key capacity in the breeding programs. In recognition of the winter wheat and FHB focus of the UM program, WGRF and SWCDC are providing $935,000 and $50,000, respectively, over the term of the agreement.

Quotes

“FHB is a growing concern across the Prairies as it not only compromises yield, but also end-use quality and food safety. As a farmer, my best line of defence starts at variety selection, so having access to FHB resistant wheat varieties is key for my farming operation.”

• Fred Greig, CWRC Chair

“The University of Manitoba is an important piece of the western Canadian wheat breeding network. Renewing this long-term agreement creates stability for the winter wheat breeding program and ensures access to a coordinated FHB screening nursery that will continue to provide benefits for the wheat breeding programs across western Canada.”

• Dr. Keith Degenhardt, WGRF Chair

“Winter wheat is a sustainable crop that promotes good environmental stewardship. Breeding for winter wheat varieties that better survive prairie winters is critical to continued uptake and adoption by producers. A better understanding of the genomics which influence winter survival and improve quality will lead to cultivars I can incorporate into crop rotations to enhance my farm’s profitability.”

• John Burns, SWCDC Chair

“The producer-funded support from the CWRC, WGRF and SWCDC will be critical for supporting a strong program of winter wheat breeding and FHB resistance research at the University of Manitoba. As Dr. Brûlé-Babel capably passes the torch to Dr. McCartney, I know we can look forward to continuing to develop profitable and climate resilient wheat genetics for western Canadian farmers.”

• Dr. Martin Scanlon, Dean, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, UM

Media Contacts

By Fertilizer Canada

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 09, 2021

Ottawa, ON – The Canadian agriculture industry is a leader in implementing on-farm sustainable practices. To demonstrate 4R Nutrient Stewardship – Right Source @ Right Rate, Right Time, Right Place® adoption on Canadian farms – Fertilizer Canada is pleased to announce the expansion of the Fertilizer Use Survey to include additional crops: wheat, flax, sunflowers, and corn in Western Canada.

“The data from the Fertilizer Use Survey provides us with critical information on the current state of fertilizer management in Canadian crop production and assessing grower awareness and adoption of 4R Nutrient Stewardship,” said Karen Proud, President and CEO of Fertilizer Canada. “The survey shows us how agri-retailers and farmers across Canada are implementing 4R Nutrient Stewardship, which is an approach that has been demonstrated to increase crop production while protecting our environment.”

The Fertilizer Use Survey provides comprehensive, best available data for commercial fertilizer use and management practices. Since 2014, the Fertilizer Use Survey has provided a credible source of information on fertilizer practices and trends across Canada. The survey also examines the adoption of 4R Nutrient Stewardship related to crop type, region, soil practices, and farm size. Additionally, the survey offers a comparison of science-based practices shown to reduce environmental impacts, comparing the adoption of 4R Nutrient Stewardship with crop performance and environmental stewardship. These comparisons utilize statistically significant metrics that support our organizations in our achievements and aid in keeping both grower members and decision-makers informed and aware.

Fertilizer Canada and our partners – Canadian Canola Growers Association (CCGA), Grain Farmers of Ontario (GFO), Ontario Agri-Business Association (OABA), Christian Farmers of Ontario (CFFO), Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA), Manitoba Crop Alliance, Saskatchewan Wheat, and Alberta Wheat Commission – will continue to work with Status Ag Research to facilitate the survey utilizing their robust, unbiased grower database and vast experience doing agricultural market research. Their team has extensive experience working in this multi-faceted market by applying collective agri-business knowledge to generate the best possible information. Stratus does a great job of transforming reams of complex research data into helpful information that Fertilizer Canada, and our partners, can put into action.

“The Fertilizer Use Survey highlights the great work growers are currently doing to implement 4R Best Management Practices,” said Mike Weddel, President of Stratus Ag Research. For example, 4R practices such as banding Phosphorus fertilizers are being implemented by over 90% of canola growers in Western Canada. In Ontario, we are also seeing an increasing trend for corn growers applying their Nitrogen Fertilizer in-crop moving from 50% in 2015 to 60% in 2020.”

“Manitoba Crop Alliance is proud to partner with Fertilizer Canada and the other organizations involved in the Fertilizer Use Survey,” says Fred Greig, Chair, Manitoba Crop Alliance. “The Fertilizer Use Survey is an indicator on the good work our producers are doing, and with the expansion to include additional crops in Western Canada (wheat, flax, sunflowers and corn), we have an even better benchmark to work towards our goal of having 30 million acres implementing 4R Practices by 2025.”

“Grain Farmers of Ontario is a long-time supporter of the 4R program. The fertilizer use survey is an important tool to help us understand Ontario grain farmers’ awareness and adoption of 4R Nutrient Stewardship, while also shedding light on some of the advancements the agriculture industry has made with technology, research, and agronomy to manage nutrients on the farm,” said Crosby Devitt, CEO, Grain Farmers of Ontario.

“The data from the survey will allow us to gain a further understanding of how wheat farmers in Alberta are managing fertilizer decisions, plus help direct future extension and research initiatives. We view this as an opportunity to grow and further increase fertilizer efficiencies in wheat production, as well as limit our environmental footprint,” said Todd Hames, Alberta Wheat Commission Chair.

“The Fertilizer Use Survey documents sustainable practices canola farmers are using currently and provides a benchmark to measure improvement over time,” says Mike Ammeter, Chair of Canadian Canola Growers Association. “The resulting knowledge can enhance the economic and environmental sustainability of canola farming in the future.”

Within our Strategic Plan, Fertilizer Canada member companies have set a target goal of having 30 million acres implementing 4R practices, measured through the Fertilizer Use Survey by 2025. Fertilizer Canada is looking forward to continuing this work with our partners to collect crop-specific fertilizer use data, supporting our shared economic and environmental sustainability goals.

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Fertilizer Canada represents manufacturers, wholesale and retail distributors of nitrogen, phosphate, potash and sulphur fertilizers. The fertilizer industry plays an essential role in Canada’s economy, contributing $23 billion annually and over 76,000 jobs. As the unified voice of the Canadian fertilizer industry, Fertilizer Canada works to promote the safe, responsible, and sustainable distribution and use of fertilizer. Please visit fertilizercanada.ca.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Brittany Thibaudeau

Communications Specialist

bthibaudeau@fertilizercanada.ca

(613) 786-3043

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, May 11, 2021 (Carman, MB) – Manitoba Crop Alliance (MCA) is contributing $500,000 to the University of Manitoba (UM) towards the building of the Prairie Crops & Soil Research Facility (PCSRF). The PCSRF will further strengthen the UM’s already well-recognized agronomy and crop production teaching and research programs. Construction of the new facility will begin next year.

“I thank our research collaborators at MCA for their leadership and vision in the support of the new PCSRF, one of the Faculty’s most significant renewal strategies for research in crop production. This gift represents investment in agricultural research by Manitoba’s farmers that will foster the development of integrated and resilient agronomic systems to the benefit of Western Canadian producers,” says Dr. Martin Scanlon, Dean, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, UM.

The PCSRF will increase the capacity for crop research and allow scientists to better integrate soils, crop, entomology and livestock research to make crop production in Manitoba more sustainable. Farmers in Manitoba will benefit from research topics including agronomic and cropping systems for optimized performance and longer-term sustainability, weed management, advanced crop protection, new cultivars and crops, profitability of nutrient strategies, and carbon benefits of crop production practices.

“MCA wishes to express our gratitude for the UM’s continued commitment to the improvement of facilities and equipment that are so essential for advanced modern research and the training of highly qualified personnel,” says Fred Greig, Chair of MCA. “We anticipate this expansion and modernization of research capacity at the UM will accelerate the growth and health of our industry by putting innovative solutions in the hands of our farmer members.”

MCA values the partnership with the UM and are currently supporting 30 projects totaling approximately $500,000 per annum. MCA will continue to work together with the UM to address research priorities and communicate research results to our members.

For more information about MCA research investments, please visit mbcropalliance.ca/research/projects. For more information about the UM, please visit https://umanitoba.ca/agricultural-food-sciences/.

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About Manitoba Crop Alliance:
Manitoba Crop Alliance is a non-profit organization established August 1, 2020 representing over 9,000 farmer-members. Manitoba Crop Alliance puts their farmer-members first and strives to continuously improve the competitiveness and profitability of all crops represented by the organization by focusing on four main areas: research, agronomy, market access and development, and communications. It is through investment in these key areas that Manitoba Crop Alliance can ensure wheat, barley, corn, sunflower and flax are sustainable production choices for Manitoba farmers. For more information, visit mbcropalliance.ca.

About University of Manitoba:
The University of Manitoba is home to a community of more than 29,000 students, 5,000 academic staff and 3,900 support staff. Recognized as Western Canada’s first university and located in the city of Winnipeg, the University is committed to advancing Indigenous research and achievement, recognizing the significant contributions of Indigenous peoples in Canada. UM is one of the U15, ranking among Canada’s top research-intensive universities and is Manitoba’s only medical-doctoral post-secondary institution. Providing high-quality liberal arts, science and professional programs of study, the University inspires undergraduate and graduate students to positively impact their communities as globally-engaged citizens.

For more information, please contact:

Pam de Rocquigny

Chief Executive Officer

Manitoba Crop Alliance

204.745.6661 | pam@mbcropalliance.ca

Brooke Karlaftis

Donor Relations

University of Manitoba

204-474-7835 | Brooke.Karlaftis@umanitoba.ca

May 3, 2021 (Calgary, AB; Saskatoon, SK; Carman, MB) – The Canadian Wheat Research Coalition (CWRC) – a collaboration between the Alberta Wheat Commission, Saskatchewan Wheat Development Commission and Manitoba Crop Alliance – has committed $2 million over five years towards a core breeding agreement with the University of Alberta (U of A). The investment will fund research activities through the U of A’s wheat breeding program with a specific focus on developing new Canadian Western Red Spring (CWRS) and Canadian Prairie Spring Red (CPSR) wheat varieties. The agreement came into effect on May 1, 2021 and will expire December 31, 2025.

A top objective of the agreement is for the U of A’s wheat breeding program to develop three to five registered wheat varieties focusing on the traits of early maturity, shorter straw stalk, and resistance to stripe rust and Fusarium Head Blight, all of which are key priorities of northern Alberta’s Parkland region where the program is located. The program is led by principal investigator and well-known wheat breeder, Dr. Dean Spaner.

“This agreement with the U of A is a natural fit as the CWRC recognizes the importance of having a strong breeding network across Western Canada,” says Fred Greig, CWRC chair. “Dr. Spaner and the U of A wheat breeding program have a history of successfully developing and commercializing wheat varieties with strong agronomic packages for prairie farmers.”

Since 2013, the U of A breeding program has registered 13 CWRS varieties and one CPSR variety for a total of 14 varieties.

“This funding from the CWRC provides tremendous solidification of our breeding capacity at the University of Alberta,” says Dr. Spaner. “Plant breeders have been at the forefront of feeding the world, and wheat production is an economic backbone for the western Canadian and Alberta economies, which makes this commitment from wheat producers to support our vital research a much-appreciated vote of confidence.”

In addition to delivering wheat varieties, the agreement specifies other key objectives including delivering one to three germplasm distributions, growing the infrastructure and breeding capacity at the U of A, and training a minimum of three graduate students. The U of A has the only CWRS wheat breeding program in Alberta, and is the only program that can grant graduate degrees in plant breeding in the province.

Today’s announcement with the U of A marks a significant increase from the previous agreement through the Western Grains Research Foundation (WGRF) which will conclude on May 7, 2021. The increase is due to significant progress and potential growth of the wheat breeding program.

Quotes

“As a farmer in northeastern Alberta, early maturity traits in wheat give me more flexibility when faced with adverse weather, particularly during seeding or harvest. This investment shows promise and is directly attributed to farmers setting research priorities and establishing needed traits in Canadian wheat varieties.”

• Todd Hames, Chair of the Alberta Wheat Commission

“My farm and thousands of others have benefitted from the work of wheat breeding programs such as the one at the University of Alberta. I’m proud that Sask Wheat is able to collaborate in this investment through the CWRC, as it will lead to new varieties that improve the profitability of growing wheat for farmers across the Prairies.”

• Brett Halstead, Chair of the Saskatchewan Wheat Development Commission

“Not only are new wheat varieties important for Manitoba producers, but growing the infrastructure and breeding capacity at the U of A is a significant step in the continued growth and success of wheat breeding for Canadian farmers.”

• Robert Misko, Vice Chair of the Manitoba Crop Alliance

Media Contacts:

Erin Tateson

Interim Communications Manager

Alberta Wheat and Barley Commissions

etateson@albertawheatbarley.com

403-219-7902

Dallas Carpenter

Communications Manager

Saskatchewan Wheat Development Commission

dallas.carpenter@saskwheat.ca

306-801-2643

Pam de Rocquigny

Chief Executive Officer

Manitoba Crop Alliance

pam@mbcropalliance.ca

204-745-6661

Bev Betkowski

Communications Associate

University of Alberta

beverlyb@ualberta.ca

780-293-1592