b'SEED VARIETY USE AGREEMENTSeeing the Value in an SVUAAdditional perspective on the models to support plant breeding in Canada.AS PUBLIC consultations on valuefund breeding of cereals in Canada.creation began in 2018, producers andAs I got more familiar with it I realized seed growers had a lot to decide: whichit was a very important topic. There isnt of the two models introduced woulda big investment in cereal breeding in best generate funding for plant breedersCanada, not like we see in canola, corn while ensuring seed growers and farmersand soybeans. That has to change, he were happy with the model selected? says.The first option, of course, is an end- Sure, we have good cereal varieties point royaltywhere a royalty wouldright now, but the more I looked into it I be collected at the elevator upon grainrealized the funding for cereal breeding delivery and be given to the breeder ofand research is modest at best, and if the variety. anything, its stagnant in Canada to the The second proposed option is apoint of going backwards. Government trailing royalty, where the produceris reluctant to add new money into would sign a Seed Variety Usebreeding and, if anything, theyre just Agreement (SVUA) upon buying amaintaining what we have now.new variety of seed that has an SVUAWith parts of the world like Australia, attached to itenabling the breeder ofFrance, and the United Kingdom having that variety to collect the royalty eachsuccessful royalty collection systems of and every year that seed was saved andtheir own for cereals, Jochum says its planted. Gunter Jochum is president of the Westerntime to get behind the trailing royalty Canadian Wheat Growers Association.As discussions about value creationmodel and implement it.continue, some high-profile membersI think the majority of the pushback of the seed and agriculture industriesmeeting of the CSGA and CSTA infrom farmers in regard to the trailing are rallying around the trailing royaltyWhistler, B.C., in July. Hes also presidentroyalty model results from farmers not (SVUA) option as the model to go withof the Western Canadian Wheat Growersunderstanding whats at stake. They to ensure plant breeders have a healthyAssociation. worry their farm-saved seed rights will stream of revenue to create new varietiesJochum sees the trailing royalty/ be taken away, which isnt true. Breeders of cereals. SVUA model as the best way to ensurejust want to be paid for the work they do. We need breeders to continue toproducers have access to cutting-edgeYou can still save your seed, you simply invest in Canada and breed new andnew varieties, but he didnt arrive at thatmust declare what youre saving and better varieties. If we keep the status quo,opinion overnight. Like many farmers, heplanting and pay a royalty on varieties they will fall further and further behindhas had a lot of learning to do about valuethat have an SVUA attached to them, the rest of the world. The sooner farmerscreation in a short time. Jochum says.understand that, I think we can moveI got involved with the WesternYes, there will be a cost to farmers, ahead with the trailing royalty model,Canadian Wheat Growers Associationbut there will be a return down the road. says Gunter Jochum, a Manitoba farmerand attended a Grains RoundtableIt might take five to 10 years to see the and seed grower, who spoke as part ofmeeting in 2017, and thats the first timefruits of that, but if we dont do this, I a panel on value creation at the annualI found out about seed value creation tothink we give up way too much as far 60seed.ab.ca'