Which wheat varieties will fill Prairie fields over the next decade? Where are the major wheat classes headed? How will issues in crop genetics affect Canada's wheat industry? Perspectives on these and other questions are featured in a new report on wheat breeding in Western Canada.

The Updated for 2004 Wheat Breeding Report, Canada in the Big Picture, (PDF) was originally produced in 2003 by Meristem Land and Science and sponsored by Western Grains Research Foundation, in the interest of informed producer investors in wheat breeding research. The report, now updated for 2004, looks at key trends and issues in wheat breeding, the latest breeding highlights and class-by-class breakdowns of progress. It also includes a short course on how Western Canada develops wheat varieties.

Featured sections

Key trends and issues. More players, more activity and a strong role for farmers are changing the face of wheat breeding. Genetic control and the new role of biotechnology are among several issues with major implications.

Breeding highlights. From new hard white wheats to the fight with Fusarium, breeding progress is a driving force that will impact producer pocketbooks.

Class-by-class updates. An insider's guide to all the major wheat classes – market direction, breeding challenges, new varieties in the field and on the way.

The Updated for 2004 Wheat Breeding Report, Canada in the Big Picture, is available at no charge.

PDF format: http://www.meristem.com/wheatRpt/WheatRpt04.pdf