Written by Glenda-Lee Vossler

The Saskatchewan Winter Cereals Development Commission passed a resolution during their Annual General Meeting this week to look into the possibility of amalgamation with the Saskatchewan Wheat Development Commission.

The group has entered into preliminary discussions with Sask Wheat.

Winter Cereals Director Brad White moved the resolution at the meeting says that there's a couple of key issues around why they are looking at the move.

He notes winter cereal acreage is very cylical based on the weather to seed it, and a lot of winter wheat is being sold as spring wheat or feed wheat and the checkoff is already going to Sask Wheat.

"This is an opportunity to make sure that breeding and agronomy programs will continue. There's a lot of support out there whether it's thru WGRF, or other Commission's to keep winter wheat and rye as viable crop options on the prairies. Whether it's from an agronomy standpoint or an environment and sustainability standpoint, or just market opportunities. You know, we want to keep this going, and going forward we'll just be putting most of what we make into administration."

Chair John Burns says winter cereals is still a minor crop and the current directors feel like winter cereals producers would be better served by combining forces with Sask Wheat.

"Our organizations believe that they're important opportunities to explore for how the two Commission's may work closer together and to maximize levy pay or value."

If amalgamation is approved Sask Wheat would assume the mandate of the Saskatchewan Winter Cereals Development Commission for Winter Wheat, Fall Rye and Winter Triticale.