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Viterra and U of S announce $5M research agreement

Jan. 16, 2014, Saskatoon, SK - Viterra Inc. is investing $5 million in wheat research and breeding at the University of Saskatchewan's Crop Development Centre (CDC).

The five-year agreement focuses on development of wheat and durum varieties with enhanced yield, improved resistance to disease and insect pests, and improved quality characteristics for the marketplace.

The funding will support the nationally and internationally recognized wheat breeding programs at the CDC led by Pierre Hucl and Curtis Pozniak. The researchers will set the breeding priorities, and Viterra will provide industry knowledge to ensure the CDC breeding is responsive to an evolving global marketplace.

The estimated cost of developing a single new wheat variety is between $500,000 and $1 million. Wheat crops contribute $11 billion annually to Canada's economy.

January 16, 2014  By Top Crop Manager