Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
February 27, 2003

Western Grains Research Foundation (WGRF) welcomes producer input as part of its review process toward developing new long-term funding agreements with wheat and barley breeding institutions. Producer comments must be received by March 15 to accommodate the review timeline.

The review is focused on the farmer funded, farmer directed Wheat and Barley Check-off Funds, which are administered by WGRF. These funds support wheat and barley breeding programs toward new varieties with higher yields, improved quality, greater disease resistance and other key traits for Western Canada.

When the Check-off Funds began in the 1993/94 crop year, WGRF developed long-term funding agreements with breeding institutions that outline specific funding allocations and breeding targets. These first long-term agreements will expire in 2004 and WGRF is in the process of developing new agreements to begin in 2005.

To anchor the review process, WGRF has selected two independent Review Teams - one for wheat and one for barley - with a broad base of experience. "The Teams will evaluate current breeding agreements and provide analysis to assist the WGRF Board in developing new agreements," says Dr. Keith Degenhardt, WGRF Chairman.

Additional comments from individual wheat and barley producers are encouraged, he says. Written comments can be forwarded to WGRF, no later than March 15, for consideration by the Review Teams. Comments can be forwarded by e-mail on the Western Grains Web site, www.westerngrains.com, or by fax: (306) 975-0316 or surface mail to: Western Grains Research Foundation, 210-111 Research Dr., Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 3R2.

The Western Grains Web site includes a producer comment form. This is not intended as an official survey, but rather as an opportunity for individual input from Western Canadian crop producers on the Wheat and Barley Check-off funding agreements.

It includes several components. Producers are asked to state their home province, but they are not required to provide specific personal information. Specific questions include: are breeding targets on track to meet the needs of Western Canada's grain industry, should check-off rates increase, should the check-offs be expanded to include feed production, and should WGRF consider supporting private breeding programs. General comments are also welcome.

The overall review process involves several key steps. First, Review Teams will look at current breeding agreements, and use that as a basis to make recommendations on what is needed for the new agreements to best meet producers' check-off investment goals amid changing production, market and social demands. They will then deliver reports to the Wheat and Barley Check-off Advisory
Committees who will evaluate recommendations from the Review Teams and use them as a basis to develop a framework for WGRF and research institutions to use in developing new agreements.

Western Grains Research Foundation is the largest grains research funding organization for farmers in Western Canada. It is funded and directed by producers, who allocate approximately $5 million annually to research through the Wheat and Barley Check-off Funds and a separate Endowment Fund.