The University of Saskatchewan's Crop Development Centre (CDC) is receiving a $15,000 boost from Grain Millers Canada of Yorkton to support future development and youth training in Saskatchewan's oat industry.

"Oat research and development, especially the development of improved milling varieties well adapted to Saskatchewan growing conditions, is critical to our long-term success," says Terry Tyson, commodity procurement manager with Grain Millers Canada.

Grain Millers Canada has maintained a working relationship with the CDC since it purchased Yorkton's Popowich Milling in 2001, recognizing the CDC's efforts to produce premium quality varieties. Recent releases, such as CDC Dancer, CDC Orrin and CDC Weaver all offer the exceptional quality demanded by Grain Millers' oat product production system.

"It's extremely important that we work together with western Canadian millers, especially those in Saskatchewan," says Brian Rossnagel, oat and barley breeder at the CDC. "The feedback and support we receive from oat processors such as Grain Millers are critical to future planning and the success of our oat breeding program."

The funds provided by Grain Millers will primarily fund summer student and casual labour to help with the CDC oat program field and quality screening programs.

Established in 1971, the U of S CDC is a nationally-renowned centre of excellence in crop research. The CDC seeks to increase diversification of crops and their products for the farmers and agriculture industry of Saskatchewan by improving existing crops, creating new uses for traditional crops, and introducing new crops.

Grain Millers Canada joins other oat industry players, including Quaker Tropicana Gatorade Canada, CanOat Milling, Cargill and Super Oats Canada as on-going supporters of the CDC oat research and development program. Core support for the program comes from Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food and the University of Saskatchewan.