Canada
May 8, 2007
Source:
Ag-West Bio Inc. Bio-Bulletin Volume 2, Issue 3
Bio-Bulletin in PDF format:
http://www.agwest.sk.ca/publications/Bio-Bulletin/BBMay07.pdf
Investment in research to develop
world-class wheat and barley varieties is a target of the
Western Grains Research
Foundation (WGRF). The WGRF is a farmer funded and directed
non-profit organization that works to provide afford-able,
leading-edge technology for the benefit of western Canadian
farmers. The Endowment Fund and the Wheat and Barley Check-off
Funds provide $4 - $5 million of investment into crop research
every year.
The WGRF is overseen by an 18-member board made up of farmers
and industry representatives from agricultural organizations and
commodity groups across the western Canadian provinces.
Some of the objectives set for these breeding agreements target
increasing yield, improving disease and insect resistance,
development of special adaptation characteristics, improving
overall quality and targeting industry demand for areas such as
ethanol.
According to Lanette Kuchenski, Executive Director of WGRF,
“Ethanol represents a significant opportunity for western
Canadian wheat and barley farmers. We are supporting this
industry through the development of varieties that meet the
needs of the ethanol plants, and work well for farmers in their
fields”.
One variety filling a large amount of the demand for grain
ethanol is AC Andrew. This variety, supported by WGRF, falls
into the soft white spring wheat category. AC Andrew is a
semi-dwarf with very high yields and excellent straw strength
resistance to shattering. It was one of many varieties developed
through Dr. Sadash Sadasivaiah’s soft white spring breeding
program at the Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada research station
in Lethbridge, AB.
Soft white wheat varieties were initially developed as a low
protein, low gluten-strength crop for use in cookie and pastry
flour, as malt for specialty beers, and as a soup thickener.
Lower protein content generally creates higher yields and
increases the starch concentration in the kernals. The two most
sought after traits for ethanol production are high starch
content and a low protein profile, so it’s easy to see why AC
Andrew is such a great fit.
Other varieties are undergoing research and development to meet
the needs of the ethanol industry. Soft white spring wheat
breeders continue to strive for improvements in this wheat
class, for example, increased resistance to diseases like bunt
and fusarium head blight, along with other improvements that
will continue to expand this market.
Farmers, in return for their investment, get about $4 for each
$1 invested in the form of improved wheat and barley varieties,
as well as a range of new technologies to improve production and
support Canada’s competitiveness in the world grain market.
Other news
from the
Western Grains Research Foundation |
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