The Canadian National Wheat Cluster is receiving more than $20 million over five years for research.
The Wheat Cluster will fund research projects that advance wheat genetics, agronomy and sustainability for the benefit of Canadian farmers.It will be administered by the Canadian Wheat Research Cluster.
“Wheat is a vital crop in the rotations of grain farmers across the country,” said Jake Leguee, CWRC chair, who farms near Fillmore, Saskatchewan.
“The investment in research through the Wheat Cluster will keep wheat profitable and sustainable for Canadian farmers, increasing quality and yields while finding new solutions for environmental stressors like drought and diseases like Fusarium head blight.
“Farmers have been practicing minimum tillage and nutrient stewardship for decades, and the activities funded under this will enhance those practices, allowing farmers to contribute further to the Government of Canada’s climate targets,” he said.
Winnipeg North MP Kevin Lamoureux announced the new Wheat Cluster on behalf of federal Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay,.
More than $11.2 million will come from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and more than $9.3 million will come from producer and private organizations from across Canada and mainly by Prairie grain and research organizations.
