Canada
June 2021
Source: The Grain Exchange - Spring 2021 Newsletter
By Dr. Lauren Comin, Director of Research | Alberta Wheat and Barley Commissions
They say if you work long enough at something, it will eventually pay off. For Dr. Dean Spaner, his work at establishing and maintaining a wheat breeding program at the University of Alberta (U of A) has paid off in spades. Since 2013, Spaner’s program has yielded 14 varieties, including 13 Canada Western Red Spring (producers might know some of the popular varieties as Jake, Tracker and Parata) and 1 Canada Prairie Spring. With hat said, Spaner didn’t just walk into genetic wheat breeding success. He joined over a decade before his first variety release, signing on to take the wheel of an all-but-defunct program.
“When I started there was about a 30-year-old seeder, no combine, no truck, no quality lab, no disease nursery, no irrigation capabilities for a disease nursery,” says Spaner. “Basically, the program was dead.”
The Canadian Wheat Research Coalition (CWRC), a funding collaboration between Alberta Wheat Commission, Saskatchewan Wheat Development Commission and Manitoba Crop Alliance, has now recognized Spaner’s success, as well as the future potential of the program, with a historic core breeding support grant. Worth $2,000,033.00 over five years, the funding, which came into place May 1, 2021, will ensure that the U of A program has the resources for essential technical support positions, equipment and supplies. The agreement with CWRC follows a series of agreements supported by the Western Grains Research Foundation, facilitated by funds from the now defunct Western Canadian Deduction check-off. CWRC members support projects within the program through other means, such as project grants within the Agricultural Funding Consortium, along with co-funders such as Results Driven Agriculture Research.
“Long-term and substantial support allows us to continue the employment of trained long-term employees who continue a breeding program’s mandate. It is essential, and very much appreciated.” Spaner adds, “As the only university wheat breeding program in Alberta, we can support the development of scientists who will contribute to this sector in Alberta and Western Canada. We have done so over the years. This is perhaps one of the greatest feelings of accomplishment I have had at this job. I do feel we have, through support from the commissions, contributed to the health of the wheat industry in Western Canada.”
For more information on the program check back in this space and in other Alberta Wheat and Barley Commission publications; GrainsWest magazine and the Spotlight on Research publication.
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