The Agricultural Adaptation Council (AAC) is committing $272,000 for a period of two years, with the possibility of an additional 2 years of funding at the same level, supporting research aimed at improving the yield and quality of winter wheat.

Industry partners: BASF, Bayer Inc. Agriculture Division, Gustafson, Pioneer Hi-Bred Limited, and Syngenta Crop Protection Inc. are matching these funds in support of this initiative.

The project is aimed at finding practical solutions to the challenges with winter wheat production focusing on fusarium resistance. Minimizing the risk of fusarium infection and toxin contamination will provide better marketing opportunities for this crop.

Winter wheat is an integral part of agriculture in Ontario and plays an important role in soil conservation by providing winter cover and organic matter to soils. Winter wheat requires this research to become a consistently high quality crop. As well, increasing the value and consistency of winter wheat as a cash crop will benefit Ontario’s rural economy. The AAC is a coalition of over 50 Ontario agricultural, agri-food and rural organizations.

The Council supports projects that foster long-term growth, self-reliance, competitiveness and employment for Ontario agriculture by administering Ontario's share of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's Canadian Adaptation and Rural Development Fund.

The project coordinator, the Ontario Wheat Producers’ Marketing Board is a provincial marketing board representing the 17,000 wheat producers throughout the province. The Board markets the Ontario wheat crop on behalf of its members representing Ontario Wheat Producers and provides strategic leadership initiatives that promote and improve Ontario wheat.

“Ontario has a significant value-added breakfast cereal and biscuit manufacturing industry, which accounts for about 16,000 full-time industry jobs and $1.8 billion in value-added to the wheat commodity. As producers, we appreciate the Council’s support to secure a safe supply of Ontario soft winter wheat,” said Jaye Atkins, General Manager, Ontario Wheat Producers’ Marketing Board.

The research will be carried out at Ridgetown College, recognized as one of the North American leaders regarding applied research in this field.

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For more information media may contact:

Mary Jarvis, Program Coordinator Agricultural Adaptation Council Tel: (519) 822-7554 or

Jaye Atkins General Manager Ontario Wheat Producers’ Marketing Board Tel: (519) 767-6537