Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) and Cereals Canada have released their 2017 Canadian Wheat Research Priorities Report.

Priorities were developed to identify the areas of research that public, private and producer groups should focus on for the next five years in order to ensure the strength and growth of the wheat industry in Canada.

“Canada is one of the world’s top five wheat exporters with an average of $7B exported annually," said Federal Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay. "This report is a great example of how collaboration between the Government of Canada, Cereals Canada and the sector can be used to identify wheat research priorities that will help respond to the evolving business needs of producers, increase agricultural sustainability and ensure top-quality products for consumers at home and abroad.”

The research priorities focus on improving wheat yield and reliability, increasing sustainability, and improving food safety such as reducing mycotoxins.

“Research and technology development is a competitive advantage for Canadian agriculture," commented Cereals Canada President Cam Dahl. "The development of a national vision shared by the entire value chain – from the field to customers – is a critically important tool that will help us maintain and develop this advantage.”

Research will also increase the ability to respond to consumer needs by developing a way to capture consumer preferences and provide this information directly to researchers and purchasers.