A farmer from Lethbridge, Alberta is the first-ever recipient of the Canadian Wheat Board's (CWB) Canada Western Red Winter (CWRW) Select Master Grower award. Glen Alexander was named the winner and presented with an award earlier today at the CWB head office in Winnipeg. Mr. Alexander's sample of AC Readymade received the best overall combined score from the competition judges. Judging criteria included protein content, test weight, hard vitreous kernels and colour, as well as a crop production management survey.

The CWRW Select Market Development Contract Program was created to encourage production and sale of CWRW varieties that have improved quality for flour millers and downstream processors such as bakers. The Master Grower competition was initiated to recognize top CWRW select growers in Western Canada and identify successful management practices farmers are using to optimize production of CWRW for this program. The competition was open to all farmers who participated in the 2003-04 CWRW Select Market Development Contract Program.

"The CWRW Select program has been a success in large part because of the efforts of farmers like Mr. Alexander," said Gord Flaten, Director of Product Development and Marketing Support. "He and others in the competition are helping to demonstrate how to best produce wheat to satisfy customers and maximize returns on the farm. The CWB appreciates the willingness of all contest participants to share information on their crop management practices. We will be compiling this information and making it available to help others who are interested in producing top quality CWRW wheat."

As this year's winner, Mr. Alexander is in Winnipeg to participate in a week-long Canadian International Grains Institute program. While in Winnipeg, Mr. Alexander will also tour the Ducks Unlimited Oak Hammock Marsh Conservation Centre, as Ducks Unlimited are co-sponsors of the prize package with the CWB.

All farmers participating in the 2004-05 CWRW Select program will be eligible to enter next year's Select Master Grower competition. Details will be announced in the early spring and will be sent to all program participants.

Only 16 000 tonnes of select red winter wheat were produced in 2002-03. The goal of this program is to encourage sufficient production of winter wheat varieties of good milling quality to compete against U.S. hard red winter wheat exports in all regions of the world.

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.