ONTARIO GRAIN FARMER RESEARCH 17 “Collaboration is really the lifeblood of breeding, and that need is stronger more now than ever with the challenges pressed on us by climate change,” McElroy says. The public winter wheat programs in Eastern Canada have always traded trials and germplasm. But lately, he says, there’s been a desire to do more. “One big barrier to trading germplasm has been the fact that some breeding programs, such as UGRC, focus on soft red wheat, and others like those at CÉROM, focus on hard wheat,” McElroy says. “And there has always been a reticence to cross the soft and hard types over fears that we will lose the important end-use qualities that millers need. But at the same time, if we keep them siloed off from each other, then both types will end up missing important genes that the other can offer.” McElroy and Tamburic-Ilincic hope that besides identifying some lines that will lead to SRW varieties with much better FHB resistance, this research will also create a map for how to cross the breeding bridge between hard and soft wheat types. With that map in hand, researchers across the public wheat breeding spectrum will be able to more fully use all breeding material available. SELECTING PROGENIES IS TOUGH McElroy notes that in southern Quebec, winter survival can be a problem. Some years, entire trials must be canceled. On the other hand, sometimes conditions are too cool or dry to get good fusarium infection, even in their disease nursery. For her part, Tamburic-Ilincic says selecting progenies is the most challenging part ahead, finding those with good yield outcomes and FHB resistance, as well as good quality traits needed for soft and hard red wheat. But challenges aside, both researchers are excited by the potential of combining their two chosen varieties. “UGRC Ring has been an excellent variety for Quebec producers looking for big yields without lodging,” McElroy says. “And AAC Harfang has really pushed the limits for disease resistance. The idea of a whole new variety that combines the best of both of them would be a great result for producers all across Eastern Canada.” • Saturday, February 21, 2026 Port Perry High School, 160 Rosa St., Port Perry, ON Featuring: Cornhole I Outdoor Team Challenge I Indoor Curling Handball I Pickle Ball I Floor HockeyI Basketball I Dodgeball Cost: Team Early Bird: $160 per team of 4 (by Feb 7) Team Regular: $180 per team of 4 (by Feb 18) Individual Early Bird: $45 per person (by Feb 18) Lunch included. Visit: bit.ly/WinterGames2026 or Scan the QR code to register today. WINTER GAMES 2026 A full day of fun, competition, and community. For ages 15 to 29. Junior Farmers_Winter Games_Ad_7.125x4.875.indd 1 2025-12-09 1:04 PM
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