b"PGDC PUTS THE FOCUSON REGULATIONAt the first in-person Prairie Grain Development Committee meeting since 2020, enabling breeders through good policy was a focusbut dont count conventional breeding out yet.Marc ZienkiewiczAT ITS FIRST IN-PERSONmeeting sinceThese unique lines offer high 2020, members of the Prairie Grainlevels of beta glucans, which are ben-Development Committee (PGDC)eficial for human nutrition, she said. focused on what they do best: bring- The ability to make health claims ing innovative lines forward to beassociated with these lines will also registered as crop varieties in Canada. likely increase their appeal to con-But as was on display this yearsumers, she said.in Banff, Alta. from Feb. 27-March 2, its not just yield and disease resist- Regulatory Matters Join the ance that make new lines potentiallyConversation game-changing ones. In wheat, rye and triticale, there By identifying the specific char- were 19 lines recommended this acteristics that affect end-use qual- yearnine Canadian Western Red ity in different food systems, MartaSpring, three Canada Prairie SpringGlen Hawkins is chair for the PRCOB and seed Izydorczyks research program atRed, two Canadian Western Amberproduction manager/pulse breeder for DL the Canadian Grain CommissionsDurum, one Soft White, one fall rye,Seeds.Milling and Malting Grain Researchone spring triticale and two winter Laboratory can help breeders developtriticale lines.varieties that are optimized for thoseThe PRCWRT is, at the moment, systems. This could lead to a morekeeping status quo in regard to its efficient and effective use of cropsmerit assessment methodology for and greater value for producers, pro- wheat diseases in Western Canada, cessors and consumers alike. but the committee is looking at Izydorczyk also serves as chair ofpotential changes or updates to the the Prairie Recommending Committeeassessment. for Oats and Barley (PRCOB). While there doesn't seem to be It was a somewhat unusual yearany immediate pressure to shift the for the PRCOB, with a whopping sixcurrent merit definition or focus on oat lines and 12 barley lines up fordifferent diseases, were always keep-consideration, including some hullessing an eye out for any new diseases barley lines ideally suited to the foodthat may arise, committee chair market. Dana Maxwell said. Dana Maxwell is CEO of AgQuest and chair for the PRCWRT.4GERMINATION.CAMARCH 2023"