E-Malt.com News article: 3079

Canada, Winnipeg: The CWB, in cooperation with the Western Grains Research Foundation (WGRF) and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), announced on August 6 a joint funding venture that will see $788,750 directed to fusarium head blight research and related varietal development at the AAFC Brandon Research Centre in 2004.

The CWB will contribute a total of $165,000 to the project, funded through the organization's special account (money from un-cashed producer cheques); the WGRF will contribute $373,750 through farmer check-offs and other funds; AAFC will contribute $250,000 through its Matching Investment Initiative.

CWB funding will be directed toward increased deoxynivalenol (DON) testing at a commercial laboratory and to the on-site fusarium nursery located at the Brandon Research Centre, where the fungus is cultivated and studied in crop plots, as well as to the fusarium nursery at AAFC's facility in Ottawa.

"Fusarium is every barley farmer's problem and this research is key to discovering methods to reduce its negative effects," said Ken Ritter, chair of the CWB's farmer-controlled board of directors.

"In addition to industry and government, farmers themselves are supporting this research through the WGRF check-off fund, interest on the check-off reserve special fund, and the endowment fund and have leveraged additional funding from the federal government," he added. "This is an excellent example of western Canadian farmers contributing to their own success and protecting the future value of their own crops." "This research effort is truly national in scope, " said Dr. Bruce Coulman, Acting AAFC Science Director for Cultivar Development and Genetic Enhancement. "The project team involves collaborating scientists from AAFC working at research centres spanning the country, as well as scientists from the University of Saskatchewan and Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development."

Controlled by western Canadian farmers, the CWB is the largest wheat and barley marketer in the world. As one of Canada's biggest exporters, the Winnipeg-based organization sells grain to more than 70 countries and returns all sales revenue, less the costs of marketing, to Prairie farmers.



11 August, 2004