The Prairie Wheat Commissions invested a combined total of $17.9 million dollars into wheat-related research projects during the 2018-19 crop year.

Laura Reiter is Chair of Sask Wheat and says they invested $8.8 million dollars into 48 research projects.

She notes when looking at projects to fund their group focuses on three main pillars; production, post-production and varietal development.

One of the research projects she’s excited about is with Dr. Randy Kutcher from the University of Saskatchewan’s Crop Development Centre and centers around fusarium.

Reiter says Fusarium has been such a big problem for farmers in recent years that it's important to focus on. 

“It’s a tough one to breed resistance for because there are so many genes that are involved in it. I’m really excited that the results of this should help with improved varieties in the future.”

Sask Wheat is providing over $317,000 over three years for the Fusarium project which is also being funded by the Manitoba Wheat and Barley Growers Association.