Hybrid cereal crops are coming to Western Canada.
Although hybrid wheat might still be years away, FP Genetics and Paterson Grain have received approval for a demonstration program involving a hybrid fall rye variety developed by breeders in Germany.
"It's the first cereal hybrid that is viable in Canada. This is just the first demonstration and in ten years hopefully we'll have hybrid wheat and other cereal crops as well," says Rod Merryweather, CEO of Regina-based FP Genetics.
The company says the Brasetto hybrid fall rye variety from German breeding company KWS has a 20 to 25 percent higher yield than the check variety and better winter hardiness than winter wheat. It will likely compete for acres with winter wheat, while also expanding the winter cereal area in western Canada, says Merryweather.
"To a certain degree it will compete with winter wheat because there are only so many acres that are ready for fall crops in time, but we believe this also has the capability to grow the number of winter crops," he says. "We believe fall rye will be grown by new growers that haven't grown rye before."
Seed for a small number of acres will be availble through the program with Paterson this fall.
"We'll have a ready supply for all those interested in it by next fall, for planting in 2015," says Merryweather.
Source: SteinbachOnline