102 www.seed.ab.ca | Advancing Seed in Alberta Growing Pedigreed Seed since 1983 Customforageblends,scaleonsite,treatingavailable Richard Hallett (403) 586-3769 | Dale Hallett (403) 899-4166 | Office (403) 337-2469 | E-mail: [email protected] | Carstairs, Alberta WHEAT CPS Red: AAC Penhold CWRS: AAC Redwater PEAS Green: CDC Limerick, Greenwater Yellow: AAC Lacombe BARLEY Feed/Forage: CDC Austenson, CDC Maverick, Sundre Malt: CDC Copeland OATS Mustang Markert Seeds Ltd. Ron & Lee Markert Box 1150 • Vulcan, Alberta T0L 2B0 403-485-6708 • www.markertseeds.com [email protected] AAC Synergy CDC Copeland CDC Austenson Muchmore CDC Plentiful CDC Landmark VB AAC Foray VB CDC Precision Transcend AAC Lacombe CDC Inca “Traits and germplasm developed through Limagrain’s global research and breeding efforts, when combined with local germplasm and selected throughout Western Canada, will bring together the best of both worlds in terms of elite genetic combinations.” Reinheimer says he and the rest of the LCRC breeding team will also be taking advantage of new plant breeding technologies that have been developed over the past decade. “For example, we generate more genomic data today than we have in all of the history of wheat breeding,” he notes. “LCRC, through its linkage with Limagrain, is at the forefront of the ‘genomics age’ where we can test and select for high-performing varieties more effectively than we ever have before. Access to breeding technology that allows you to predict field performance in the lab, and ensuring it is continually ‘ground proofed’ on Canadian farms, will underpin variety success. This ability to use world-leading genomic tools and apply them on Canadian soil is certainly an exciting prospect for Canadian farmers.” LCRC plans to broaden its crop type portfolio in the near future. Reinheimer says durum wheat, barley and winter wheat are currently on the radar. To take his position at LCRC, he and his family moved from Australia to Canada. “My wife and two young children love it in Canada and have felt so welcomed,” he says. “So we have been busy learning to ice skate, trying to understand sports like curling and discovering awesome things like maple bacon.” Reinheimer calls being able to help build a new plant breeding operation in Canada a “fantastic” opportunity. “Especially when you have two great partners in Limagrain and Canterra Seeds for support,” he notes. “I have always wanted to work in Canada as the agricultural community has so many positive aspects that are the envy of the world. To be able to work with so many great people who are passionate about helping forge a positive future for the Canadian grains industry is very exciting for me.” For her part, Armstrong says it was an honour to be asked to be LCRC CEO. “While I’ve run an organization before, this is the first time I’ve had the chance to build something from the ground up,” she says. “Working with my colleagues Dr. Jim Peterson (research director), Sebastien Benon (CEO of the business unit into which LCRC fits) and with the board of directors is a real pleasure. I can’t believe it’s already been a year and a half since we started with our blank piece of paper. Once Jason came on board, things really moved forward quickly. “We are all committed to having LCRC become an established provider of new cereal varieties for Western Canadian farmers and to contributing to innovation within our sector,” she adds. Treena Hein