Newsroom
2007
Farmers quick to adopt new wheat varieties
Innovative new online tool simplifies viewing of CWB Variety Survey results
October 18, 2007
Winnipeg – A milling wheat variety named Lillian, introduced for the first time in 2006, has already become the most commonly planted type of Canada Western Red Spring (CWRS) wheat in Western Canada.
The CWB’s 2007 Variety Survey, released today, shows Lillian has overtaken Superb as the most popular wheat on the Prairies, comprising 15 per cent of all CWRS plantings. In 2006, Superb had displaced AC Barrie, which was the top variety for over a decade. Nearly half the varieties of CWRS grown in 1998 are no longer produced today.
This year’s survey also shows sharp regional divisions between preferred varieties. For example, Lillian is the top variety in Saskatchewan, where its solid stem resists a persistent sawfly problem. In Alberta, the Harvest variety is tops for its sprouting resistance and in Manitoba, where fusarium concern is high, AC Barrie remains the overwhelming favourite.
“Newer varieties bred for specific growing conditions are being adopted quickly by farmers in response to very specific needs,” said CWB agronomist Mike Grenier. “The days of farmers relying on a single variety for many years are over. That makes knowledge of varietal trends more important than ever.”
Other survey highlights are listed in the attached backgrounder.
An innovative new online tool has been introduced to help farmers easily view the Variety Survey results. Using the computer mouse to “hover” over an area on a map of Western Canada, boxes instantly pop up listing the top varieties of various grain classes in each crop district. Increased regional differences make this a particularly useful detail, Grenier said.
Another new tool allows quick viewing of charts and graphs showing province-by-province trends in seeded varieties. Graphs can be customized to allow meaningful comparisons by class, by province or by year. A written overview has also been posted to help readers quickly identify noteworthy developments in varietal trends.
An audio podcast featuring Grenier discussing the Variety Survey results will be posted this week for exclusive access by farmers who have signed up for CWB e-Services.
Controlled by western Canadian farmers, the CWB is the largest wheat and barley marketer in the world. One of Canada's biggest exporters, the Winnipeg-based organization sells grain to over 70 countries and returns all sales revenue, less marketing costs to farmers.
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For more information, please contact:
Maureen Fitzhenry,
CWB media relations manager
(204) 983-3101
Cell: (204) 227-6927
maureen_fitzhenry@cwb.ca
CWB Variety Survey: Backgrounder
- CWRS and CWAD form 90 per cent of total western Canadian wheat acreage. Top classes for all wheat are CWRS (65.8 per cent), CWAD (23.7) and CWRW (5).
CWRS
- Significant change continues in wheat varieties and nearly half the CWRS varieties farmers grew in 1998 are no longer around today.
- Four varieties account for half of CWRS acreage.
- The three Prairie provinces have distinct CWRS preferences, with AC Barrie the most seeded in Manitoba, Lillian preferred in Saskatchewan, and Harvest is tops in Alberta.
- Lillian has vaulted to first place among CWRS varieties with an increase of more than 400 per cent. Last year, Lillian was the 11th -most seeded.
- Last year’s most seeded, AC Superb, is now the third-most seeded.
- AC Barrie was the top variety for more than a decade and is now the second-most seeded.
- Harvest, this year’s fourth most seeded variety, nearly doubled over the 2006 survey.
- The top five varieties are Lillian (14.8 per cent), AC Barrie (13.8), AC Superb (12.8) Harvest (10.3) and McKenzie (7.1).
CWAD
- Strongfield (41.5 per cent) is now the leading variety. It more than doubled in popularity this year.
- AC Avonlea (22.7 per cent) is down significantly, declining over 50 per cent since its peak in 2005.
- The top three varieties are Strongfield (41.5 per cent), AC Avonlea (22.7), Kyle (19.2) and AC Navigator (11.1).
CWRW
- CWRW Select varieties continue to increase in popularity and now account for 55 per cent of the total western Canadian winter wheat acreage. CDC Buteo more than doubled its acreage to become the number one Select variety at 23.6 per cent of the class.
- CDC Falcon remains as the top seeded non-select variety at 28.5 per cent of the class.
Malting barley
- Two-row: AC Metcalfe remains strongly in the lead (59.1 per cent). AC Metcalfe has been the most seeded malting variety for the past six years.
- Six row: Legacy remains firmly in first place (49 per cent), but Tradition rose nearly 10 per cent to second place (22.5 per cent).
Feed barley
- Two row: Xena (54.9 per cent) remains the leading feed variety for the fourth year.
- Six row: AC Ranger (23.7 per cent), a forage variety, remains the top six-row feed variety for the second year.