New Research Lab Targets Big Gains for Winter Wheat

Process dramatically cuts time to produce new varieties that will put more dollars in pockets of Prairie farmers

Saskatoon SK, Nov. 29 – A group of partners today opened a newly equipped research laboratory at the University of Saskatchewan that will dramatically cut the time to develop new varieties of winter wheat, a crop with the potential to significantly improve incomes for Prairie farmers. Researchers will use a process known as doubled haploid breeding that will reduce production time of new winter wheat varieties to seven years or less from what normally takes 12 to 15 years.

Dr. Brian Fowler, a winter wheat breeder and plant scientist at the College of Agriculture, points out that a multiplier effect takes place as succeeding strains of winter wheat are produced more quickly. "This allows us to make more efficient use of our plant breeding facilities," he said. "The end result is more dollars in farm producers' hands more quickly."

Rod Johnson, vice-president of Winter Cereals Canada, a farm producers' group, said winter wheat offers economic benefits to farmers in a number of ways including higher yields and lower input costs. "Yields for winter wheat are from 25 to 40 per cent higher than for spring-seeded wheat," he pointed out. "Grain quality is also higher. Add to this the fuel and equipment savings when winter wheat is part of a sustainable farming operation and you have significant economic gains for Prairie farmers."

The state-of-the-science laboratory was made possible by funding for renovations and high-tech equipment from Ducks Unlimited Canada (DU) and SaskPower. DU has an interest in winter wheat because the crop provides valuable habitat in early spring for nesting ducks and other ground-nesting birds. SaskPower supports the program as a way of returning benefits to the community and contributing to a healthier environment.

"Winter wheat and other fall-seeded crops help save Saskatchewan soil resources by reducing wind and water erosion," pointed out Judy May, SaskPower representative on the Ducks Unlimited board of directors. "They also help spread farm workloads more evenly throughout the year, and provide shelter for nesting birds and other wildlife. Winter wheat research fits perfectly with our mandate to help improve the environment in Saskatchewan."

Lee Moats, a Ducks Unlimited agrologist and director of the conservation company's winter wheat program, said the newly equipped lab is a good example of how conservation, research and agriculture can work effectively as partners. "Our company looks for ways to provide habitat for wildlife within the context of profitable farm production methods," he said. "Winter wheat is a fine example of how good science can help farmers and conservationists achieve results that benefit both groups."