Wheat research on the Prairies

Wheat research on the Prairies

A roundup of wheat research that will bring new varieties suited for the Canadian Prairies


According to Genome Canada’s website, wheat accounts for 20 per cent of all calories consumed throughout the world, and as global population grows, wheat productivity needs to increase by 1.6 per cent each year. At the same time, climate change is causing temperature and precipitation changes that challenge established patterns. So there is also a need to […] Read more

Wheat research in the pipeline

Wheat research in the pipeline

Not happy with wheat in your rotation? One of these projects will brighten your future

Following is a roundup of some of the major wheat research and breeding projects across Manitoba, Alberta and Saskatchewan that address priority areas such as increasing yield, improving disease and pest resistance, agronomics and tolerance to drought and excess moisture, as well as end-use qualities. Better wheat under stress Two projects are looking at improving […] Read more


Winter wheat seed: treatment pays

Winter wheat seed: treatment pays

A dual fungicide/insecticide seed treatment builds hardier winter wheat stands

Despite the benefits of winter wheat — weed competitiveness, high yield potential and a schedule that allows growers to spread out work load and capital costs — it’s still not a staple crop for many western Canadian farmers. Farmers say concerns about planting logistics and poor stand establishment are obstacles to growing winter wheat. To […] Read more

agricultural university campus

Researching our daily bread

U.K. researchers are working to increase our global wheat yield and nutrition

Wheat provides one fifth of human calories, but its yield growth has been on the decline since the 1980s. Researchers in the United Kingdom are trying to solve some of the world’s food security challenges by improving wheat productivity. Their goal, says Dr. Malcolm Hawkesford of leading British institute Rothamsted Research, is to increase wheat […] Read more