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  • Hot Issues
    • Hot Topic Interviews
    • Public Policy Goals
    • Carbon Tax
    • Fertilizer Reduction
    • Transportation
    • Grain Farming and the Environment
    • Industry Links
    • FAQs
  • About
    • Advocating For Farmers
    • Meet the Team
    • Our Sponsors
    • Young Farmer Mentorship Program
    • Shovel of Gratitude Honourees
    • 2024 Saskatchewan Election Questionnaire Results
  • Media
    • News Releases
    • In the News
    • Newsletters
    • Media Kit
  • Support Us
    • Donate
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Seed Value Creation

Home Seed Value Creation

About Seed Value Creation

Canada’s public breeders have done well with what they’ve been given, but could do much more with greater resources. Our global competitors have modernized their breeding systems, some quarter a century ago. So, Canada is behind in establishing processes to address a serious lack of investment and competition. Increased investment, innovation, collaboration and competition would result from a modernized funding model.

The Issues

Our current public breeding program is under resourced, with royalties only covering 10-20% of true costs. That makes wheat producers vulnerable.

A second issue is the lack of private breeding investment.

Our Position

The Wheat Growers want investments in Canada, so the latest ag seed technology can help farmers compete in an increasingly competitive global market. Breeders, whether public or private, small or large, should be encouraged and rewarded for investing to bring new seed technology to Canada.

The Wheat Growers support a royalty system, whether “trailing” or “end point”, that is effective in propping up public programs, attracts private investors, and is administratively efficient. Sharing production risks, and the preservation of a quality assured seed production system, are important considerations. Retaining the ability to use older varieties and farm saved seed is critical and works with either Grains Round Table proposed solution.

Having a national system for all crops should not delay the implementation of a solution for crops as critical to the Canadian economy as wheat and barley.

The Wheat Growers is using consultations to detail out implementation specifics before coming forward with a preferred royalty scheme by 2019 spring seeding.

Resources

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada – Seed Sector Value Chain Rountable

Dispelling Myths About Seed Value Creation – Check Out the Facts

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What We’re Doing

Gene-edited wheat tested

May 21, 2024

“I think it’s fantastic,” said Gunter Jochum, president of the Wheat Growers Association. “It’s good for our industry and it [...]

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Agriculture Roundup for Wednesday January 19, 2022

January 19, 2022

Manitoba has a new agriculture minister. Interlake-Gimli MLA Derek Johnson replaces Ralph Eichler after a cabinet shuffle on Tuesday. Western […]

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Congratulations to Manitoba Minister of Agriculture Appointment

January 19, 2022

CALGARY, AB: The Western Canadian Wheat Growers offer their congratulations to the Honourable Derek Johnson upon his appointment as the […]

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GM wheat takes a 136,000-acre step forward

November 4, 2021

Cherilyn Jolly-Nagel, director of the Western Canadian Wheat Growers, wishes she had access to that technology on her farm near […]

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GX on Agriculture – December 7, 2020

December 7, 2020

Director Clayton Kotylak talks about Warriors for Wheat and other policy issues important to the Wheat Growers.

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Proposed Seed Variety Use Agreement: Implementing Royalties for Farm-saved Seed

February 24, 2019

“Farmers aren’t against paying for a variety of research,” says Wheat Growers' Chair Jim Wickett. “As long as we get a [...]

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Seed Value Creation Consultation

January 16, 2019

CALGARY, AB: The Western Canadian Wheat Growers call for continued consultation around the issue of Seed Value Creation. Throughout the […]

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Seed royalty proposal divides farmers

December 18, 2018

The wheat growers association wants to wait till the end of the consultation process before stating its preferred choice, but [...]

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More groups weigh in on seed royalty proposal

November 30, 2018

The Western Canadian Wheat Growers Association says it’s in favour of paying royalties on farm-saved seed if it means better [...]

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Seed Value Creation is Long Overdue

November 27, 2018

OTTAWA, ON: The Western Canadian Wheat Growers Association firmly supports efforts to create value in the seed sector and reward […]

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Wheat Growers Support Move to Modernize Seed Regulations

December 9, 2013

CALGARY, AB: The Western Canadian Wheat Growers Association supports today’s announcement by the federal government that it intends to modernize Canada’s […]

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Wheat Growers Association

#300, 4838 Richard Road SW
Calgary, Alberta
T3E 6L1

info@wheatgrowers.ca

306-361-5667

President

Gunter Jochum
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