The process of bringing new varieties from that initial cross through registration to certified seed is a long one and trying to predict the future needs of farmers can be challenging for any breeding program.
Since Limagrain Cereals Research Canada (LCRC) commenced activities in Western Canada a decade ago, we’ve had many candid conversations with farmers, seed growers and licensing partners. Hearing their feedback has been invaluable to our ability to deliver spring wheat and pulse varieties that farmers will be excited to grow.
Fortunately, our team is young and robust and gung ho. We’re always challenging each other and aren’t afraid to push the envelope to develop varieties more quickly and efficiently while maintaining confidence they will perform well in the field. We also challenge the status quo to find new ways of doing things that are equal to or better than current industry practices so that innovation flourishes.
The next two to three years are going to be huge for us!
Our spring wheat breeding program continues to be focussed on developing varieties that deliver the yields, disease profile and agronomics necessary to support the high performance that farmers in Western Canada demand, while achieving milling and baking quality.
Our partner, Canterra Seeds, will have certified seed available for four new Canadian Western Red Spring (CWRS) varieties and one new Canadian Prairie Spring Red (CPSR) variety, including the CS Baker line that’s been accepted into the Warburtons Canadian Identity Preserved (IP) Program.
That’s such great news for farms in Manitoba and southeastern Saskatchewan. Alliance Seeds will also have certified seed available for one new CWRS and one new CSPR variety.
In addition, Limagrain Cereal Seed’s (LCS) pulse program, which began in 2022 in partnership with Saskatchewan Pulse Growers, is always looking for ways to deliver product faster. Recently, we received approval from the Prairie Recommending Committee Pulse & Special Crop (PRCPSC) committee to manage our own private registration trials for peas and lentils.
With improved efficiencies, we can evaluate a greater number of lines and speed up market entry for those that bring value farmers expect.
Our breeding efforts mean that certified seed of three yellow pea varieties and twelve lentil varieties — small reds, small greens, large green and even Spanish browns — will become available thanks to tremendous support from our licensing partners. We’ll be excited to see these varieties in Western Canadian farm fields soon.
Sady, the root rot complex continues to present huge challenges for our sector. Farmers who have Aphanomyces or fusarium species in their fields have a tough time getting any kind of yield on those acres. A top priority for Limagrain is the development of products with stacked Aphanomyces resistance, with expected registration by the end of this decade with certified seed following a few years after.
