About CWRC
2024-25
Annual Report
Unleashing wheat’s potential through the power of collaboration
Message from our Leadership
Lori-Ann Kaminski
Dean Hubbard
Welcome to the 2024-25 Canadian Wheat Research Coalition (CWRC) Annual Report. As you can see, we’ve chosen to do things a bit differently for this year’s report – eschewing a traditional format in favour of one specifically designed for the best online viewing experience. As a research organization focused on cutting-edge science that employs the latest innovations in plant breeding and agronomics, it was only natural we would try to innovate our annual report to make it a more valuable resource for our industry partners and wheat farmers across the country
During the 2024-25 fiscal year, we laid a strong foundation for the future of the CWRC through the development of a new strategic plan. The strategic plan positions us to fulfill our mission of increasing the long-term profitability and sustainability of wheat for Canadian producers through leadership in identifying, co-ordinating and supporting innovative research. The CWRC is a collaborative organization that brings together the staff, resources and farmer memberships of three Prairie wheat organizations. The new plan grows from those foundations to provide continuity in the years to come as we strive to achieve our strategic goals and ensure wheat continues to be a sustainable, profitable and internationally competitive crop choice for Canadian producers.
This strong foundation is especially important as this year’s annual report marks a changing of the guard for our CWRC leadership. Due to a retirement (Lori-Ann) and the end of a directorial term (Dean), this is the last annual report where you’ll hear from us both. However, with the strong board of directors and staff team we have in place, we are confident that the CWRC is being left in extremely capable hands.
We hope you enjoy this snapshot of the past year in Canadian wheat research.
Lori-Ann Kaminski, President
Dean Hubbard, Chair
Board of Directors
Dean Hubbard
Alberta Grains
Jocelyn Velestuk
Saskatchewan Wheat Development Commission
Tasha Alexander
Alberta Grains
Lori-Ann Kaminski
Manitoba Crop Alliance
Dave Bishop
Scott Mowbray
Jake Leguee
Robert Misko
Rob Stone
CWRC Activities
Core Breeding Agreements
In 2020, the CWRC started providing funding for wheat breeding at four public breeding programs in Western Canada through five-year Core Breeding Agreements (CBAs):
- The University of Saskatchewan’s (USask) Crop Development Centre (CDC) – spring wheat and durum
- Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) – spring wheat, winter wheat and durum
- The University of Alberta – spring wheat
- The University of Manitoba – winter wheat and a Fusarium head blight (FHB) screening nursery for all wheats
The CBAs with the CDC and AAFC came to an end on Dec. 31, 2024, and March 31, 2025, respectively. To maintain uninterrupted support for these crucial breeding programs, the CWRC committed:
- $11.5 million over five years to a new CBA with the USask CDC. Learn more
- $19.9 million over three years to a new CBA with AAFC for the development of field-ready wheat varieties. Learn more
USask CDC
- A continuation of the collaboration between the CDC and CWRC to benefit producers and support the CDC’s wheat breeding capacity in Western Canada
- Continued production of Canada Western Red Spring (CWRS), Canada Prairie Spring Red (CPSR) and Canada Western Amber Durum (CWAD) varieties supported for registration.
University of Alberta
- A successful transition from their retiring wheat breeder to a new breeder.
- Continued production of CWRS and CPSR varieties.
AAFC
- A three-year agreement to align the CBA with the next Wheat Cluster expected to start on April 1, 2028.
- A multi-disciplinary approach to the production of field ready varieties.
- Continued production of field ready wheat varieties in CWRS, CPSR, CWAD and Canada Western Red Winter (CWRW), as well as some effort toward other minor classes when exceptional opportunities arise.
University of Manitoba
- Continued production of CWRW varieties.
- Provision of an FHB nursery for all wheats.
- Four years after the transition to a new breeder, the program has two new CWRW varieties recommended for registration.
Farmer Investment Produces Field-Ready Varieties
Since 2020, Canadian Wheat Research Coalition (CWRC) investment via core breeding agreements with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, the University of Manitoba, the University of Alberta and the University of Saskatchewan Crop Development Centre has resulted in the development and registration of 47 field-ready wheat varieties across six wheat classes
Canadian National Wheat Cluster (2023 – 2028)
The CWRC administers the current Canadian National Wheat Cluster (CNWC), which is aimed at ensuring profitability for producers and the long-term sustainability of wheat in the cropping rotation. Funding for the 2023-28 CNWC – totaling more than $20 million over five years – comes from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (SCAP) AgriScience program, as well as several producer and private organizations across Canada.
There are three priority areas that guide the research activities funded through the cluster:
For more information about the 2023-28 CNWC, including research activity details and interim results, click here.
CWRC: Communications Year at a Glance
Web Engagement
2,599 users (214% increase)
336 returning users (178% increase)
5,521 page views (189% increase)
The Value of Wheat Research
New The Value of Wheat Research page on wheatresearch.ca to highlight the ROI farmers receive from public plant breeding programs.
Growth of Social Media Audiences and Engagement
Compelling new social media content to engage with western Canadian farmers and boost CWRC brand awareness
Media hits
- Who Will Fill the Gap Left by AAFC in the World of Wheat Breeding? Hear Our Panel Discussion – Seed World Canada
- Research priorities breed frustration, confusion – Western Producer
- Prairie collaboration on research plays a key role in new and improved crop varieties – Swift Current Online
- Agriculture bracing for ‘seismic shift’ in wheat breeding – Manitoba Co-operator
Midge Tolerant Wheat 2024-25 campaign recap
During the 2024-25 growing season, the Canadian Wheat Research Coalition (CWRC) celebrated a major milestone: 15 years of Midge Tolerant Wheat (MTW). Since its launch in 2010, MTW has surpassed expectations – protecting more than 30 million acres and generating over $1 billion in yield and quality benefits for Prairie farmers.
To mark this achievement, the 2024-25 MTW campaign focused on celebrating stewardship success while reinforcing the ongoing responsibility to protect the Sm1 gene. The creative theme emphasized that “MTW is a team sport,” highlighting the shared role that farmers, agronomists, seed retailers and researchers all play in ensuring MTW remains effective for future generations.
Campaign highlights included a 15th anniversary video, an interactive stewardship infographic and refreshed creative assets that brought the stewardship message to life in engaging and practical ways. These tools were widely distributed through digital ad placements, article features and targeted email campaigns to both farmers and retailers. A survey was also circulated to gather insights on awareness and stewardship practices, helping guide future outreach.
Supported by Manitoba Crop Alliance, the Saskatchewan Wheat Development Commission and Alberta Grains, the MTW committee helped shape the campaign and ensured stewardship reminders were delivered consistently across Western Canada. Their collaboration was key in amplifying messages at critical decision points throughout the growing season.
By celebrating 15 years of MTW and reinforcing stewardship as a collective responsibility, the 2024-25 campaign highlighted both the impact and importance of the technology. The success of the past 15 years proves what strong stewardship can achieve and sets the foundation for protecting MTW for the next generation of wheat growers
Financials
The following are highlights from our financial statements as of March 31, 2025 (the full 2024-25 audited financial statements can be viewed here).
The CWRC invested $8,937,793 in Core Breeding Agreements
- University of Saskatchewan Crop Development Centre – $2,029,063
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada – $5,944,521
- University of Alberta – $414,879
- University of Manitoba – $549,330
The CWRC administers the Canadian National Wheat Cluster; industry co-funders of the cluster (Western Grains Research Foundation, Saskatchewan Wheat Development Commission, Manitoba Crop Alliance, Alberta Grains and Canadian Field Crop Research Alliance) invested $2,765,083 in 2024-25
The CWRC invested $84,653 in the Midge Tolerant Wheat stewardship communications, which are provided by Synthesis Agri-Food Network