The Canadian Wheat Board (CWB) today announced the Market Development Contract Program for wheat and durum varieties eligible for premiums ranging from $2.50 per tonne to $10 per tonne in 2004-05.

Under the program, farmers get a premium for production contracts that allow the CWB to test market new varieties among potential customers and provide buyers with quantities to meet their processing needs once the variety has been established.

Varieties eligible for Market Development Contract Programs as of August 1, 2004 are: 5700PR - Canada Prairie Spring Red wheat ($5 per tonne premium); AC Navigator - extra strong Canada Western Amber Durum wheat ($2.50 per tonne premium); Snowbird and Kanata - Canada Western Experimental Hard White wheat ($7.50 per tonne premium); and AC Bellatrix, AC Readymade, AC Tempest, CDC Buteo, CDC Osprey, McClintock and Norstar - Canada Western Red Winter Select wheat ($10 per tonne premium).

"These varieties represent significant breeding advancements in their classes," said Gord Flaten, director of market development. "In addition to earning a premium for their crops, farmers who enter into these contracts are also helping to ensure that the wheat and durum varieties grown in Western Canada continue to meet the needs of our customers."

"The Market Development Contract Program also allows buyers to test their milling and end-use qualities, which increases the potential market for the high-quality grains grown by western Canadian farmers," he added.

The CWB guarantees acceptance and delivery within the crop year of all production that qualifies for the 2004-05 program. The CWB will also pay escalating on-farm storage from October 1, 2004 or the date the contract is signed (whichever is later) to the date of delivery or the delivery authorization date (whichever is earlier).

For more information on the program, please visit the Web site at www.cwb.ca. Sign-up forms will be available in early March from pedigreed seed growers, elevators or by calling the CWB at 1-800-275-4292.

Controlled by western Canadian farmers, the CWB is the largest wheat and barley marketer in the world. As one of Canada's biggest exporters, the Winnipeg-based company sells grain to more than 70 countries and returns all sales revenue, less marketing costs, to Prairie farmers.