Ownership of genetics, royalties available to farmers and the sharing of genetics between institutions and industry - these are just a few of the important issues Western Grains Research Foundation (WGRF) is negotiating with research institutions this summer.

The negotiations will finalize new long-term breeding agreements for the Wheat and Barley Check-off Funds, which are administered by WGRF. The Funds, which are funded and directed by western Canadian farmers, are currently allocated to research institutions based on 10-year breeding agreements that outline research targets, accountability measures and other important details of how the funding is to be invested.

With current agreements set to expire at the end of 2004, WGRF is working with research institutions to develop new long-term agreements that begin Jan. 1, 2005.

"We have an excellent basis for negotiating new agreements with institutions," says Lanette Kuchenski, WGRF Executive Director. "We've had a great working relationship over the past 10 years, which shows progress and a shared focus on placing better varieties into farmer hands."

WGRF also has pursued an extensive process to determine industry needs and farmer interests for the next long-term agreements, she says. The entire process is overseen by the WGRF Board, which is made up of producers representing 18 diverse agricultural organizations.

"Two independent Review Team reports, input from WGRF's expert Advisory Committees, direction from the WGRF's producer Board and direct input from western Canadian crop producers and industry - all of this has provided a thorough analysis to guide negotiations."

At this stage, consensus has been reached on the bulk of the agreements, which deal with funding allocations and breeding targets, says Kuchenski. The focus now is on addressing a handful of issues WGRF considers essential to ensure farmer interests are represented and protected.

Key issues include ensuring farmer input in seed licensing decisions, receiving a fair portion of royalties on sales of farmer-supported varieties, establishing guidelines for use of genetics and equity in genetics, ensuring that existing non-farmer financial support for breeding programs is maintained, and reinforcing research co-operation among WGRF-funded programs.

Farmers across Western Canada are welcome to provide feedback on these considerations or on any other aspect of the new agreements, says Kuchenski.

"Final agreements are expected to be signed during the fall of 2004, in time for implementation in 2005. If you're a producer in Western Canada and you have any further questions or comments regarding the new agreements, we encourage you to get in touch through our Web site, www.westerngrains.com, or directly by contacting the WGRF office."

More information on the key issues WGRF is considering is available in the new July edition of Western Grains Research Magazine, available at www.westerngrains.com. 

Western Grains Research Foundation is funded and directed by Western crop producers, and allocates approximately $4 to $5 million annually to research through the Wheat and Barley Check-off Funds and a separate $9 million Endowment Fund.