b'RESEARCHWGRF Marks Four Decades of Research SupportWith so many milestones to count, the 40th anniversary of the Western Grains Research Foundation can be summed up as four decades of evolution and success.2021 MARKS THE 40th anniversary forHughenden, Alta.attributes the the Western Grains Research Foundationfoundations success over the decades to (WGRF), an organization that has grownPrairie farmers.to become the largest producer funder ofThey have been investing their field crop research in Canada. research dollars through WGRF for To commemorate this impressivethe past 40 years. Many of the projects milestone, one of the things theand initiatives are only made possible foundation has done is a brand refreshbecause of producer funding. Its with a new corporate logo and launchedimportant for research to be farmer a new website. funded and farmer directed because it We have taken this opportunity togives you ownership and responsibility reflect on some of the accomplishmentsto make the best investment in research of the organization with a 40thto help farms across the Prairies move celebration video, says WGRF Executiveforward.Director Garth Patterson, who is basedRob Graf, a plant breeder and scientist in Saskatoon, Sask. with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Originally formed by 12 farm(AAFC) in Lethbridge, Alta., agrees. He groups in 1981, who had a vision for ahas focused his efforts on developing robust agricultural research fundingimproved varieties of winter wheat for organization directed by and for westernWestern Canada since 1999. Western Grains Research Foundation Executive Canadian grain farmers, WGRF has sinceGrafs main responsibility is toDirector Garth Pattersoninvested more than $200 million ondevelop winter wheat varieties for the behalf of farmers in more than 550 cropPrairies which combine superior yield, research projects to date. agronomic performance, and disease/ Weve achieved Weve achieved these milestonespest resistance characteristics withthese milestones by being steadfast in our mission ofquality profiles that serve traditional and producers directing investment in cropemerging markets. by being steadfast research to benefit western CanadianThis program supports AAFCs sectorin our mission of field crop farmers, says Patterson. focus to increase productivity, improve As an organization, we have seen amarketability, enhance environmentalproducers directing lot of changes since 1981. But the oneperformance, reduce the impact ofinvestment in crop thing that has remained constant isexisting and new diseases and pests, and that the WGRF continues to be directedimprove product safety, he explains. research to benefit by farmers and it continues to fundGraf adds that what he likes bestwestern Canadian agricultural research thats important toabout the industry is its integration from farmers. science and technology to the table, andfield crop farmers. Long-time board member and chairall of the people and processes involved Keith Degenhardtwho operatesin these various aspects along the way.Garth Patterson a mixed cattle and seed farm inWe all have a common goal. I get 28seed.ab.ca'