WINNIPEG – Winter cereal growers in Saskatchewan will soon be part of a development commission, designed to give them a major say in how their crop develops.
“We need to advance our research in winter cereals if we expect our industry to continue expanding. One of the main winter wheat breeders is about to retire and we need to make sure the breeding program continues,” said Rod Fedoruk, vice-president of Winter Cereals Canada.
“Ethanol has tremendous economic potential for winter wheat growers. We want to make sure we have new varieties that are designed for the ethanol industry. The hog industry is another target. We want to work more closely with the hog industry to ensure that we produce the cereals they want.”
Read Also
VIDEO: Green Lightning and Nytro Ag win sustainability innovation award
Nytro Ag Corp and Green Lightning recieved an innovation award at Ag in Motion 2025 for the Green Lightning Nitrogen Machine, which converts atmospheric nitrogen into a plant-usable form.
Fedoruk, who farms near Kamsack, Sask., said a development commission directed by producers is the best way to meet the new demands of the ethanol and feed industries.
Variety development is just one part of the new commission’s mandate, he added. It will also be active in researching and developing new markets for winter cereals. The commission will be authorized to establish a winter cereal checkoff of 50 cents per tonne, up to a maximum of $250 per grower per year.
Because of the high level of grower support for the commission, Saskatchewan Agriculture has waived the requirement for a producer vote. However, any producer can be exempt from the checkoff by stating so in writing.
In Manitoba, application for a similar commission has been made to the provincial government and is expected to proceed this summer.
