Feds contribute $11 million to wheat and barley research

The federal government is investing $11 million to assist in the development of new wheat and barley varieties. The Canadian Agri-Clusters Initiative (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada-AAFC) will invest $8 million to establish the Canadian Wheat Breeding Cluster along with funding from the Western Grains Research Foundation (WGRF). The cluster will bring together research expertise to improve wheat strains that will generate higher yields and higher quality with lower production costs. AAFC's Developing Innovative Agri-Products initiative will contribute $2.8 million towards barley breeding and related research, with WGRF once again collaborating. Other partners involved in the initiative include the Canadian Wheat Board, the Alberta Barley Commission, the Brewing and Malting Barley Research Institute and Rahr Malting Canada Ltd. Funding for both projects fall under AAFC's Agri-Innovations Program, which has $158 million over five years to support industry-led S&T projects....