Grainswest - Spring 2025

oat strains that reduce the crop’s carbon footprint. “There are lots of challenges, but we’re still here, and the future has some very bright spots,” said Dyck. Optimism aside, Dyck is sometimes discouraged by the registration process. In 2023, his high protein oat line, OT6083, was initially voted down because it didn’t meet yield criteria. The following year, Dyck pushed back with industry support from Avena Foods and the Saskatchewan government. That same year, PepsiCo brought forward a high protein oat that also narrowly passed. “The fact that we both were working on high protein oat seemed to be a factor that also helped us both to get the vote, narrowly,” said Dyck. “It was kind of odd. When you’re trying to innovate, there really shouldn’t be any barriers.” Despite its intricacies, Dyck believes Canada’s registration process offers value to farmers. “Registration challenges are part of making you do a good job,” he said. “As a small private company, everything we do matters financially to us. If we have a variety that doesn’t get registered for some reason, we don’t get a paycheque.” Kenny Piecharka of KWS Seeds Canada raised similar concerns about the lengthy variety registration process. A large-scale seed breeding company from Germany, KWS entered the Canadian market in 2022 with its hybrid rye seed. Canada’s complicated registration system keeps the company from breeding seed in the country. Its hybrid rye, which has a single-use agreement, was only developed and tested here. “If you have to spend 10 years developing a product, then three years of registration without confidence you will be able to hit that specific mark, that’s a significant restriction,” he said. “It’s seen as a lot of risk with little reward.” Piecharka believes a balance between regulatory oversight and market-driven innovation is needed to ensure high- performing varieties reach farmers efficiently. Farmers and end-users will ultimately hold breeders accountable Your Chance toWin Big Cash by Recycling Used Plastic Baler Twine! $12,000 in Total Cash Prizes! Bring used plastic baler twine to a participating Alberta collection site for a chance to win a cash prize! The more you round-up for recycling, the better your chances of winning. Alberta feeds the world, and plastic baler twine helps make it happen. Recycling used twine protects our soil, water, and air— and creates a cleaner future for everyone, especially Alberta farms. The Great Twine Round-Up rewards people who step up to make a difference. Don’t miss this chance to show the world what awesome Albertan farmers do—and maybe walk away with a cash prize! Find out more at GreatTwineRoundUp.ca . grainswest.com