On July 22 of last year, Western Crop Innovations (WCI) held its inaugural field day at its farm facility near Lacombe. Overcast but bright, drizzle was the order of the day, and guests were dressed appropriately in multicoloured rubber boots and raincoats. Curious about the organization, which launched April 1, 2024, this event drew about 150 farmers and assorted ag industry representatives. As chair and area farmer Kevin Bender welcomed the assembled guests in the shelter of the farm’s spacious service garage, the event felt like a birthday celebration, albeit a damp one.

After a transitional year, Western Crops Innovations (WCI) is gearing up to begin life on its own, and continue to provide value to farmers. Formerly known as the provincial government’s Field Crop Development Centre, it spent three years under a licensing agreement with Olds College. As of April 2024, WCI was registered as a not-for-profit corporation and new agreements were negotiated with the Province.

On the Prairies, leaf spot complex is a significant yield robber in wheat and barley. A group of stubble-borne diseases, leaf spot complex is practically ubiquitous in Alberta cereals. Its presence can lead to downgrading, especially in bread wheats and durum. Ongoing studies aim to better understand causes and develop treatments.

For many years now, malting barley research has primarily focused on how to provide small and large brewers alike with the next great variety for their beers. An afterthought, however, is distillers, who often source their barley from other countries with a more established system of malting barley suitable for spirits.