Prairie farmers have until April 30 to submit their thoughts on wheat and barley breeding objectives to an upcoming review panel.
The Wheat and Barley Check-off Fund administered by Western Grains Research Foundation is undergoing a mid-term review of research objectives.
The checkoff, started in the 1993-94 crop year, is deducted at 20 cents per tonne for wheat and 40 cents per tonne for barley from Canadian Wheat Board final payments to producers.
It allocates an average $2.7 million annually, which has doubled the region’s breeding effort for those crops. The exception is in Alberta where barley and soft white spring wheat are covered by a provincial checkoff.
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Check-off funding is allocated to research institutions based on 10-year agreements that outline wheat and barley breeding goals. The legislation that set up the checkoff requires a mid-term review of those goals before the end of the fifth year of agreements, which is 1999.
The foundation is directed by producers, and input from individual producers is welcome at any time. However, farmers who want their specific views on breeding objectives heard as part of the review should contact the foundation in writing by April 30.
The foundation’s mailing address is 118 Veterinary Road, Saskatoon, Sask., S7N 2R4, and fax is 306-975-3766.
The review will be conducted independently by a three-member team, chosen to represent different perspectives and areas of expertise.
