This does not include the additional grant-in-aid funding of US$41,172 from industry partners. Royalties from the sale of Colorado Wheat Research Foundation seed varieties developed the CSU Wheat Breeding programme contribute another US$265,969. CWAC has also established a separate reserve of US$400,000 to ensure continuous and uninterrupted research funding.

 

CWAC has emphasised that priority by not only increasing the research investment at CSU by nearly 500%, but also by establishing a research fund reserve in case a poor crop year decreases assessment sustainability.

 

"Additional funding from the increased check-off has allowed dramatic changes in the breeding programme. From the addition of new field trials, the implementation of a drought, of high temperature stress tolerance research, and the use of DNA molecular marker screening technology to develop new traits more quickly, we are able to continue to support a world-class breeding programme at CSU," says Richard Starkebaum, CWAC president from Haxtun, Colorado.

 

Wheat varieties developed by CWAC-funded research rank high in yield and in the variety survey of wheat planted by farmers. The yield advantage of new varieties such as Hatcher has put millions of dollars into farmers' pockets. The basis and prices in Colorado have improved as customers begin to appreciate the enhanced quality of Colorado wheat.