b'Grafs main responsibility is toBoard Effortsdevelop winter wheat varieties for theAt present, the WGRF board is comprised of 18 farmers in Prairies that combine superior yield,the four western provinces.agronomic performance, and disease/ Many of the projects and initiatives are only made pest resistance characteristics withpossible because of producer funding, says Degenhardt.quality profiles that serve traditionalTheir collective voices ensure that funding is awarded and emerging markets. to research that is most needed by their fellow farmers. This program supports AAFCsMore than 130 farmers from across Western Canada have sector focus to increase productiv- worked together on the WGRF board over the past four ity, improve marketability, enhancedecades. By guiding research funding decisions, theyve environmental performance, reducebeen instrumental in advancing agriculture for the better-the impact of existing and new dis- Rob Graf ment of all Prairie farms.eases and pests, and improve productPatterson concurs and adds that the WGRFs relation-safety, he explains. ships with research institutions across Canada have been Graf adds that what he likes bestanother critical element to its success.about the industry is its integrationWe have always looked at funding the most impact-from science and technology to theful research, whether that be long-term upstream or both table, and all of the people and pro- short-term and immediate. Its about the impact on farm-cesses involved in these various areasers and the science.along the way. Additionally, Patterson says as the foundation contin-We all have a common goal.ues to see tremendous value in a collaborative approach I get a lot of satisfaction when Imto funding research, it will continue to partner with able to solve problems by deliveringproducer commodity organizations and funding agencies improved varieties. WGRFs industryon a provincial, regional, and national basis to maximize involvement has been a large part ofcrop research investments.that. I have benefited from fundingKeith Degenhardt Like any industry, Degenhardt says there will be administered by the WGRF since Isignificant changes in agriculture over the next five to 10 AWB_Germination-July2021-Doudna.pdf 1 2021-06-14 5:28:27 PMjoined AAFC in 1999. years. Continuing to fund research will help farmers stay in the game and get a good return.We are in the early stages. WGRF is conducting stake-holder consultations to identify and confirm cross-cutting crop production issues of greatest concern to farmers. We are currently reaching out to farmers, scientists, industry, and agronomists to develop a farmer-focused research plan. We will have more details as we progress, but the goal is to renew the WGRF research plan to drive long-term, sustainable impact on western Canadian field crop farmers and their profitability.CM Whats Next?Y As for what the next year or two holds for the Western Grains Research Foundation, Patterson says COVID has CM obviously affected everything including research and MY organizations that fund the research.CY However, weve got over 170 projects that were cur-CMY rently funding. Most projects are going to be impacted, but we dont know the extent to it yet. Its unlikely that K any WGRF-funded research will be cancelled because the foundation supports multi-year projects, over three to five years. We will continue to work with the researchers and institutions, to give them the flexibility they need to adjust their timelines due to COVID.Adds Degenhardt: Theres going to be some signifi-cant changes in agriculture over the next five to 10 years. We need to continue to fund research that will help farm-ers stay in the game and get a good return. 24GERMINATION.CASEPTEMBER 2021'