U of A Core Breeding Agreement
Term: 5 years, beginning in 2021
Status: Ongoing
Funding Amount: $1,019,817
Lead Researcher(s): Dr. Dean Spaner (University of Alberta)
Funding Partners: Alberta Wheat Commission, Manitoba Wheat and Barley Growers Association
Project Description
The University of Alberta wheat breeding program has registered and commercialized 13 CWRS varieties and one CPS variety since 2013. Sixteen MSc. students (13 graduated); 17 PhD students (14 graduated); 6 Post-Doctoral Fellows; and 3 Visiting Scientists have been involved with the program since 2002. These graduates are working as scientists, biologists, researchers and professors in Alberta, western Canada and globally. The program has published over 130 refereed scientific articles in that time as well. Grant funding of about 1.2 million dollars per year has been used over the last 8 years to pay 1 chief technician (Klaus Strenzke), 1 Research Associate (Dr. Iqbal), 2 full-time field and quality lab technicians (Joe and Tom, Field; Iza, Field, Quality Lab (NIR, Mixo and Sedimentation), and disease nurseries (bunt and leaf spot), a PDF working in the genetics lab on campus (Steliana) and 3 to 7 summer Field Technicians. The principle scientist’s salary is the only expense of the program paid for by the University of Alberta. Generally, 25,000 field plots and 50,000 single rows per year are planted. We collaborate extensively and grow close to 4,000 plots for other programs of AAFC and the Province of Alberta. The program has entered arrangements with CPS to grow close to 5000 rows in FHB nurseries in Manitoba, and with Syngenta to grow close to 1000 there as well. Nutrien also grows a number of yield trials for the program and that service is reciprocated. Nutrien has the rights to 1 out of 3 varieties developed, if they so desire. Varieties have been purchased by Canterra, SeCan, Mastin Seeds, Lefsrud Seeds, Penwest seeds and others. Some varieties already have market share in Alberta and it is expected that the 7 varieties registered over the last 3 years will attain some significant market share in Alberta and western Canada.