DNA-based wheat test receives $8.9 million

Commercialization efforts for a new DNA-based process to identify the class and variety of wheat is receiving $8.9 million over five years from the Governments of Canada and Saskatchewan. Developed by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) and licensed to the Saskatchewan Research Council (SRC), the DNA-based test will be further developed by a team of researchers assembled at SRC. It replaces the Kernel Visual Distinguishability Test previously used and phased out in 2008 and is seen as key to maintaining Canada's reputation for high-quality products in national and international markets. The two governments are providing $7.4 million to the project through a cost-sharing agreement under AAFC's AgriFlexibility Fund, with an additional $1.5 million coming from the Canada-Saskatchewan Western Economic Partnership Agreement….