Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
October 1, 2008
Viterra Inc. is pleased to announce the launch of XCEED™
juncea canola, a groundbreaking new canola crop designed for
western Canadian growing conditions.
This innovative new crop is the result of dedicated research and
development by Viterra breeders. XCEED was developed to address
the need for canola in non-traditional growing areas to allow
growers to diversify their rotation.
XCEED produces canola-quality oil, and exhibits many
improvements over conventional canola varieties.
"XCEED is the first herbicide-tolerant juncea canola that can be
grown in areas not typically suited to canola production," said
Doug Wonnacott, Senior Vice-President, Agri-Products. "Its
increased heat and drought tolerance make it ideal for producers
in drier regions of Western Canada."
XCEED canola is tolerant to the CLEARFIELD production system,
providing producers with reliable one-pass weed control.
Producers will also benefit from XCEED's increased frost
tolerance and pod shatter resistance, which provide the
potential to straight-cut combine the crop. These beneficial
inherent traits make XCEED canola a good fit for all regions
across Western Canada, and aim to simplify canola production.
"XCEED is a new canola opportunity for many growers that have
been unable to produce a stable canola crop in the past. XCEED
offers a new canola option with an oil profile suitable for a
wide range of end use markets, with the potential to create
value for both producers and destination customers," said
Wonnacott.
During the 2008 growing seaon, producers from across Western
Canada had the opportunity to grow and harvest 20 acre plots to
experience the crop for themselves. XCEED offers strong
resistance to Blackleg and Fusarium Wilt, with good lodging
resistance and medium maturity. Full yield results and other
information from these demo plots will be released later this
fall.
XCEED will be available in limited quantities for the 2009
growing season.
Producers are encouraged to contact their local Viterra facility
for more information.
Viterra Inc. is Canada's leading agri-business, with
extensive operations and distribution capabilities across
Western Canada, and with operations in the United States, Japan
and Singapore. The new Company is diversified into sales and
services of crop inputs and equipment, grain handling and
marketing, livestock feed, agri-food processing and financial
products. These operations are complemented by value-added
businesses and strategic alliances, which allow Viterra to
leverage its pivotal position between Prairie farmers and
destination customers. The Company's common shares are listed on
the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol VT. |
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