A new national report released this week in Saskatoon is identifying priorities for Canada’s wheat industry.
The 2017 Canadian Wheat Research Priorities report identifies five areas to help grow the industry, ensure profitability and feed a growing world population.
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Those priorities include improving wheat yield and reliability, enhancing sustainability and improving food safety.
Federal Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay said Canada exports $7-billion in wheat annually and the report will help sustain the industry and help it grow.
“This report is a great example of how collaboration between the government of Canada, Cereals Canada and the sector can be used to identify wheat research priorities that will help respond to the evolving business needs of producers, increase agricultural sustainability and ensure top-quality products for consumers at home and abroad,” MacAulay said in a release.
Cam Dahl, president of Cereals Canada, said future research and development will help give the wheat industry a competitive advantage.
“The development of a national vision shared by the entire value chain – from the field to customers – is a critically important tool that will help us maintain and develop this advantage,” Dahl stated.
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It is estimated that every dollar invested in wheat research delivers a net return of $20 to producers.