CWRC appoints new president, transitions host duties to Sask Wheat
Sept. 28, 2026 (Saskatoon, SK; Carman, MB; Calgary, AB) – The Canadian Wheat Research Coalition (CWRC) has appointed a new president, following the transition of hosting duties from Manitoba Crop Alliance (MCA) to the Saskatchewan Wheat Development Commission (Sask Wheat).
Sask Wheat executive director Blair Goldade is the new CWRC president. The president, who is appointed from the host organization and approved by the CWRC board of directors, is the key contact for external stakeholders.
The CWRC’s operational hosting duties rotate every three years between the three Prairie producer organizations who represent wheat farmers in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba: Sask Wheat, Alberta Grains and MCA.
“Sask Wheat was the inaugural host when the CWRC was formed in 2017, so this represents a full-circle moment for the organization. Looking back nearly a decade later, I’m extremely proud of what the CWRC has accomplished on behalf of western Canadian farmers,” Goldade says.
“I would like to extend my sincere thanks to MCA and outgoing CWRC president Pam de Rocquigny for their leadership and service over the past three years. I look forward to continuing this valuable work and maintaining the organization’s momentum in my new role.”
The CWRC has also appointed three new farmer directors to its board: Cameron Reich (Sask Wheat), Jeffrey Stobbe-Wiebe (MCA) and Devin Hartzler (Alberta Grains). They replace outgoing directors Jake Leguee, Robert Misko and Dean Hubbard, respectively.
“As a board, we always benefit from fresh perspectives, so I’m looking forward to having Cameron, Jeffrey and Devin at the table,” says CWRC chair Jocelyn Velestuk. “I’d also like to thank Jake, Robert and Dean for their valuable contributions to the CWRC during their time on the board.”
The CWRC facilitates a collaborative approach to producer funding of wheat variety development and agronomic research through wheat core breeding agreements with western Canadian universities and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), as well as administration of the current Canadian National Wheat Cluster under AAFC’s Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership.
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About the Canadian Wheat Research Coalition
The Canadian Wheat Research Coalition (CWRC) is a collaboration between Manitoba Crop Alliance, the Saskatchewan Wheat Development Commission and Alberta Grains aimed at improving the net relative profitability of wheat for western Canadian farmers. The CWRC facilitates a collaborative approach to producer funding of regional and national research projects in variety development and agronomy.