AUGUST 2024 21 in western Canada, we have a wheat system that is tolerant to an orange wheat blossom midge... and these varieties have on-board insect protection, and the stewardship program is in place to ensure that the tolerance is not overcome by resistant pests,” Hyra said. Seed, opined Hyra is essentially the building block of agriculture’s profitability. Without having strong genetics adapted to Canada with the latest technologies, Canadian competitiveness slips away. “Farmers routinely search out the best genetics for their farm, always looking for advancements that are going to get them a leg up on the competition, whether it be local or international, and having access to the best is important,” he explained. “And if they don’t, they won’t be able to compete in the long term.” Each province has its own seed guide that has product performance data on seeds. There’s also a symbol there that indicates whether the seed is protected by PBR or VUA, or if there’s midge tolerance. Unlike with corn products, consumers out west who grow cereals are less brand-dependent and will instead seek out whoever has the best product,” related Hyra. That’s why it behooves companies to continuously improve their seed varieties. There’s just not as much brand loyalty as for corn or canola. “Breeding a seed variety and getting it to market takes time,” Hyra explained. “Getting a seed to market in under eight years is exceptional, as 12 years is more the norm. “As such, by the time you get one of the seeds into place, get it fully tested, and have commercial quantities of seed blown up, it can be over a decade or more. “And, just because a seed is on the market, that first year the company may not have sufficient quantities of it for sale where everyone can get what they want. “And, even when a popular seed product looks pretty good for a breeder, there’s a chance it might only have a five- to seven-year life cycle for a variety once it’s in the marketplace.” Hyra acknowledged that those numbers are just an average, as some seed products may only be in the marketplace for a year or two, while others may last much longer before getting replaced. “We aren’t trying to cycle products,” he said. “It’s just that we are constantly advancing on what a seed breeding program can bring to Canadian farmers.” He summed up: “We just really want to remind everyone to stay on the straight and narrow pathways and keep everything upfront. Pay your own way and play by the rules so we all benefit.” PROTECTING CANADIAN COMPETITIVENESS
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