Western Canadian farmers can get an overview of the progress and activity of Western Grains Research Foundation (WGRF), in the organization's new 2005 Annual Report to farmer research investors.

"WGRF has grown to become one of Canada's largest farmer funded and farmed directed organizations for investing in research" says Dr. Keith Degenhardt, a Hughenden, Alta., producer and Chair of WGRF. "The Annual Report is one component of a broad communications effort designed to keep producers informed of WGRF investment activity, the progress it produces and the challenges and opportunities for the future. We encourage producers to access the Annual Report, and we welcome comments and questions."

WGRF administers the Wheat and Barley Check-off Funds, which are based on a check-off deducted from Canadian Wheat Board (CWB) final payments to producers. Approximately $4 million annually is generated for the Check-off Funds, and WGRF invests a similar amount in research breeding programs to develop new and improved wheat and barley varieties.

WGRF also administers the Endowment Fund, which is the original core fund of the organization. The Fund is based on $9 million in producer money that was transferred by the federal government from the discontinued Prairie Farm Assistance Act, a forerunner of today's crop insurance program. Each year, WGRF allocates the Fund's annual interest to crop research projects that directly benefit the western grain industry. It has supported over 200 projects since the Fund began in 1983.

"Both the Check-off Funds and the Endowment Fund have developed strong track records of delivering high investment returns," says Degenhardt. "That's encouraging at a time when producers have faced a number of challenges in recent years. The producers who make up our Board of Directors and the 18 diverse member organizations of WGRF bring broad perspectives to the table, but all share a strong belief in the benefits of farmer-funded research. They also share a strong belief in the expanding opportunities for this effort to help create a more profitable and sustainable industry for the future."

The year 2005 was a pivotal one for the organization, notes Lanette Kuchenski, WGRF Executive Director. Most notably, it was the year WGRF implemented new long-term agreements with research institutions, to provide a business framework for a new generation of Check-off Funds investment over the next five-to-10 years.

"The new agreements process involved many considerations," says Kuchenski. "This included looking ahead and determining which breeding priorities are most needed to benefit the grains industry 10 to 15 years from now, and which breeding investments will deliver those benefits. It also included evaluating how best to deal with a range of issues related to the ownership of crop genetics and the role of farmers as investors in research."

With 10 years of Check-off Funds investment under its belt, WGRF also commissioned a major independent study to determine the return on investment those Funds generate. The study, conducted by leading agricultural economists, showed strong payback. Every dollar invested in wheat breeding returned a minimum $4 to the farmer and every dollar invested in barley breeding returned a minimum $12. (The barley figure is higher because there is less barley research and fewer barley acres.)

Inside the Annual Report producers will find an overview of these and other key developments in 2005, including specific financial information for each of the funds. The report also includes a comprehensive list of wheat and barley varieties developed with Check-off support, along with descriptions of new and ongoing Endowment Fund projects.

The complete WGRF 2005 Annual Report is available at www.westerngrains.com. A limited number of printed copies are also available to western Canadian crop producers by contacting the WGRF office by phone: (306) 975-0060.