b'form of policy or regulation andto deliver maximum benefit to farm-thats what we fear most [in the seeders and the agricultural industry, she industry]. adds.Scientists are making rapidSuch innovation is a hallmark of improvements to the way farmersthe LCS and LCRC brands. LCRC has grow cropsso fast, in fact, regu- two wheat varietiesCS Daybreak latory bodies cant keep up. Fromand CS Accelerateincluded in defining what new technologies areCanadas Variety Use Agreementsuch as CRISPR and other gene- initiative, a value creation tool meant editing techniquesto understand- to increase plant breeding investment ing what testing is required, theand innovation thats the first of its knowledge gap is only growing. Ellen Sparry May Kanokwankind in the country.Our challenge as an industry andChodchoey One of our main breeding as an association is, how do we com- focuses is usable traits. We already municate those changes while thereshave two major traits in our breed-not [yet] a reason to be concerned?ing programa high-amylose trait, LaVigne says. And how do we helpwhich offers high fibre content to people see this is a benefit? consumers, and a Group 1 herbicide If a product is revolutionary, thattolerant trade, which brings some challenge could become even moreflexibility in weed management for difficult in terms of only the breed- growers, she says.ing involved, but potential regulatoryWere very proud of the work we barriers that come along with newdo. With increasingly unpredictable technologies. Hodges uses hybridgrowing conditions and consumer wheat as an example. Diego Risso Garth Hodges demands for healthy products, its a Theres a good reason whygreat time to work in wheat develop-hybrid wheat has been called ament.stepchild. Its a challenge, with manyDespite enthusiasm for new conundrums and difficult steps alongtechnology, Hodges emphasizes that the way. Weve been investing a lot inthe industry will have to remain on germplasm and trying to understandguard to ensure public fears over different hybridization systems, henew breeding technologies dont says.win the day, as the ripple effects Seed production has always beenof those fears are often very wide-a big challenge in hybrid wheat, butspread. Having worked within BASFs its exciting because youre actuallyCanadian business, he uses Canada breaking new ground and youreas one example.doing something new. Tatiana Henry Andy LaVigne Canada is really so dependent As cutting-edge breeding tech- on its export markets that its almost niques become more advanced,as if the export markets are dictat-expect more new ground to beinclude a partnership with Limagraining what kind of technologies and brokenwhich will make the needCereals Research Canada (LCRC), ainnovations you can use. Thats prob-for focus on behalf of industry lead- joint venture between Limagrain andlematic. Now, there are also macro ers even more important.the Manitoba-based Canterra Seeds. challenges, he says. Colorados Limagrain CerealThe integration of breeding toolsWe are so fragmented as an Seeds (LCS) began the second half oflike fast generation cycling, genomicindustry, but yet the challenge of 2021 with a renewed focus, havingselection and robust field selectionsocietal and environmental accept-completed a strategic restructuring,means farmers will benefit fromance is actually quite consolidated which CEO Tatiana Henry says freesadvancements in genetics and traitsand unique. [Look at] the Green Deal up resources to enhance the compa- faster than ever before. Were veryin Europe. Thats something that the nys wheat breeding programs, whichproud to be able to use these toolsindustry needs to think about. 20GERMINATION.CAJANUARY 2022'