b'SeCan business development manager Western Canada, says in a phone interview.ORe3541M fits best in the eastern Prairies, Manitoba specifically, while ORe3542M is well adapted to all three Prairie provinces. Due to the wet and snowy conditions during the fall of 2019, some fields of Dycks varieties were left out over the winter in Alberta. The farmers still got a decent yield and good grain quality, Dyck says.Over the winter both varieties were approved for milling by Richardson International and General Mills, which was a huge step for Oat Advantage.Being an Independent BreederDespite having a few oat varieties out in fields and finally having some income coming in, it hasnt been a walk in the park for2,000 hand planted high protein oat hills in the foreground at Jim Dycks Dyck as an independent breeder. Saskatoon research farm. PHOTO: JIM DYCKIts super risky. I knew from the beginning. I thought thatFarmers have been weary of the VUA and Dyck understands things would be easier. Its such a long process to get going,their concerns. When he started his operation in 2008 the VUA Dyck says. wasnt a reality so Dyck knew the way to earn an income would There arent many independent breeders in Canada. SeCanbe to produce a good variety which would make people want to works with a few out of Europe and has been talking with Jodibuy certified seed.Souter in Saskatoon who has started her own operation. However, if the VUA does happen it would help Oat This could change though if the Variety Use AgreementAdvantage to do more innovative work faster. Dyck would be (VUA) becomes a reality. The seed use payment program isable to upgrade his equipment more frequently and use newer currently in trial stages with a few cropsit sees breeders paidtechnology. He would also be able to extend to two growing a fee when growers use farm-saved seed. seasons each year by travelling to places like New Zealand during the winter.I can also see the resistance by grower groups because it seems like theyre already paying for things, Dyck explains. Maybe they would wonder about whether they get anything for the dollars they that put into that. I believe that they would. I believe that we would be able to deliver more value on that.The FutureDyck is excited about the future of Oat Advantage though no matter what happens. He has numerous oat varieties in Pedigreed Seed Varieties development and cant wait to get them in the fields of growers.In Alberta, hes looking at making faster maturing varieties for Winter Wheat Industrial Hemp Durum the northern part of the province and into the territories. He is - AAC Goldrush - Finola - AC Transcend also looking at hulless varieties for northern areas which arent - AAC Icefield- Katani - CDC Alloy near millsthis would allow people to cook oats without - GranMa - AAC Succeed VB having to dehull them first.HRSW - CanMa- AAC Stronghold The early maturing varieties arent just helpful for northern - AAC Viewfield - AAC Grainland- AAC Russell VB Hybrid Fall Rye areas with shorter growing seasons but also as growers are - KWS Gatano Yellow Peas forced to move away from using pre-harvest glyphosate Lentils - KWS Bono - Abarth applications. Milling giants Richardson International and - CDC Impulse CL - KWS Brasetto - AAC Chrome General Mills have both said they will not buy oats sprayed with - CDC Nimble CL - KWS Progas - AAC Profit glyphosate making a faster maturing variety a good fit.- CDC Lima CL - KWS Trebiano He is also working on high value milling oat varieties and forage oat varieties for Alberta. With Albertas unique weather challenges, 403-545-2222 oat varieties in the province need to be hardy, Dyck says. [email protected] He has been working on reducing the itchiness of oats by @quattroseeds breeding a hairless variety and he is also working on a new oat variety which doesnt have a crease on it. This will make for www.quattroventures.com a fuller oat, making it heavier and take up more space when Bow Island, AB being shipped.Ashley Robinson22seed.ab.ca'