Producer contributions to variety development

After reading through numerous consultation reports and reviewing expenditures in the annual reports of producer organizations I have come to two conclusions: producers have and continue to make significant contributions to variety development and it’s very difficult to pin down the exact amount they contribute through various channels including royalties, check-off dollars that go to […] Read more

(Jack Dykinga photo courtesy ARS/USDA)

Prairie wheat commissions to collaborate on research funding

The Prairie provinces’ three wheat commissions are set to take a team approach to research funding through a new not-for-profit body. The Alberta Wheat Commission, Sask Wheat and the Manitoba Wheat and Barley Growers Association on Tuesday announced the formation of the Canadian Wheat Research Coalition (CWRC) to “facilitate long-term investments aimed at improving profitability […] Read more



wheat being viewed under a magnifier

Crop research company develops faster genome mapping system

Faster gene mapping will help wheat breeders develop new wheat varieties more quickly

The Israeli research company NRGene has broken new ground when it comes to speed in mapping maize genomes. It used to take months, or even years to map a complete genome. Now, NRGene has mapped five maize genomes in just five weeks. Guy Kol is one of the company’s founders, and its vice-president of research […] Read more