A Saskatchewan-based seed company FP Genetics announced today that it will invest $1.5 million over the next 10 years in the Canadian Prairie Spring (CPS) wheat breeding program at the University of Saskatchewan’s Crop Development Centre.
CPS wheat is a minor wheat class in Western Canada but some industry observers believe that its market share is set to increase significantly.
CPS varieties generally have less protein than Canada Western Red Spring (CWRS) wheat varieties but their milling properties and bread-making attributes are gaining acceptance.
CPS varieties normally yield 15 to 20 percent higher than the most popular CWRS varieties.
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“We see the CPS class of wheat as an area of growth within the agricultural industry and our shared goal of improving high quality wheat varieties with elite agronomic performance will be a great partnership,” said FP Genetics chairman Brent McCarthy.
The funding agreement will allow FP Genetics to share information with the crop development centre and work with CDC researchers to develop new varieties with improved agronomic and end-use attributes.
“This investment will allow the CDC to significantly expand its current breeding efforts in the CPS wheat class,” said CDC wheat breeder Curtis Pozniak.
“This is a significant investment from a Saskatchewan company at a time of uncertainty regarding wheat research in Canada,” added CDC’s managing director Kofi Agblor.
FP Genetics was founded in 2008.
The Regina-based company provides new crop varieties to its members in the pedigreed seed industry for multiplication and sale. The company is a major distributor of new cereal, oilseed, special crop and forage varieties.
