PHOTO: Erin Collier is business development officer for Western Crop Innovations.
Western Crop Innovations (WCI) is making moves that could bring new opportunities to farmers across Alberta and beyond. As it marks its first anniversary on April 1, WCI is rolling out new crop varieties, bringing on key personnel, and bringing back its popular field day in Lacombe.
At last month’s Prairie Grain Development Committee (PGDC) meetings, WCI put forward five new varieties for government registration: two feed and forage barley varieties, two spring triticale varieties, and its final winter triticale variety.
“Once this winter triticale hits the market in a few years, we’ll need to find new sources of genetics unless an opportunity arises to restart our winter triticale breeding program,” says Erin Collier, WCI’s business development officer.
Beyond variety development, WCI is undergoing some big organizational changes. The nonprofit is in the process of hiring its first permanent executive director and will host its first annual general meeting in June. This meeting will transition WCI from an interim board to a more permanent leadership structure.
On the research side, WCI has brought in Laura Bony as its new research agronomy manager. “Laura is leading the charge in developing an agronomy program for WCI—something completely new for us,” says Collier. “Her expertise will help us better connect agronomy with variety development, opening up new ways to support farmers.”
One of the biggest highlights of the year is the return of WCI’s field day in Lacombe this July. After a break, the event is back with a fresh focus on showcasing new varieties and research. “We want to bring people back to see firsthand the work we’re doing to develop better varieties,” says Collier. The event will feature crop demonstrations and insights from industry partners—making it a must-attend for farmers looking to stay ahead.
Watch this interview with our sister publication Seed World for an update on what’s new at WCI!
