You may not realize it but Canada supply’s about 50% of the global durum market, the majority of that durum comes from southwest Saskatchewan.

Next week, key players in the Durum sector are gathering in Swift Current for Durum Summit 2018.

Secan’s Dr. Ron DePauw says the event is sold out adding there are some issues to address.

"2016 was the very bad fusarium year, and the fusarium as a disease is increasing in the last number of years," he said. "We thought with the changes that have been going on and trying to figure out how to make responses to fusarium; we found it's really important to update producers on the of the changes that had been occurring and where the opportunities are."

The Durum Summit will provide updates on matching genetics to demand, responding to environmental pressures and growing a more profitable crop.

There’s a lot of interest in the event that focuses on matching genetics to demand, combating Fusarium Head Blight in Durum, meeting consumer expectations for Pasta, high tech Ag and building public trust.

Dr. DePauw with Secan talks about the importance of Canada’s role in the global market.

"Canada has accounted for around 50 to 60 percent of the global trade in durum wheat," he said. "North Africa and southern Europe are big producers of durum wheat, but a lot of that durum is actually consumed domestically and when they are short of durum then their importing." 

The event also features a producer panel talking about what they do on their operations.