Western Crop Innovations

07/31/2026

🐮🌾 It takes a team to prepare for harvest!

WCI is proud to support the Central Lacombe 4-H Beef Club Sale! 4-H members helped clean harvest sample bags in preparation for this year’s harvest season.

While it may not be the most glamorous job, it's an important one. Thoroughly cleaning each bag helps prevent seed mixing between research plots, protecting the integrity of our breeding trials and the quality of the data we collect.

After a productive day, the group wrapped up their visit with a tour of the research farm to learn more about the research happening at WCI.

Thank you to the Central Lacombe Beef Club for your hard work -- we appreciate your efforts and wish you all the best in your upcoming club year!

07/30/2026

Thank you for joining us, Minister Sawyer and MLA Johnson!

This is a critical time for support and engagement in agricultural research and development at all levels of government. We appreciate your attendance, advocacy, and ongoing support for Western Crop Innovations and Alberta agriculture!

07/30/2026

📍Alberta Crop Diagnostic Days at Western Crop Innovations Field Day | Lacombe, AB
📅July 28, 2026

What a fantastic day for this year's event! We had an excellent turnout, enjoyed insightful presentations from our knowledgeable speakers, and enjoyed beautiful weather while visiting the plots.

Thank-you to the Honourable Tara Sawyer, Minister of Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation for joining us for our morning sessions and speaking during our Welcome Address. Jennifer Johnson, MLA for Lacombe-Ponoka, was also in attendance and engaged with the presentations on display!

A special thanks to our co-hosts, Alberta Grains, Alberta Canola, and Alberta Pulse Growers Commission for helping make this event a success!

07/28/2026

It's shaping up to be an exciting day!!

Come check out our Liberty Link plots at the Western Crop Innovations Field day in Lacombe tomorrow!

07/13/2026

Field day is coming up quickly! Join us alongside Alberta Canola, Alberta Grains and Alberta Pulse Growers Commission for a shared day of knowledge and innovation.

Register by July 20 to reserve your spot! https://ACDDatWCI2026.eventbrite.ca/?aff=WCISocialMedia

Topics of this year's presentations will include:
- Herbicide Injury
- Integrated Management of Wild Oat
- Genetic Solutions to Environmental Variability
- Silage Applications for Triticale
- Disease Resistance and ID
- Variety Responses to Fungicide

Learn more on the registration page, or by visiting our website: https://www.westerncropinnovations.com/fieldday/

Lunch and refreshments are included with registration!

06/23/2026

Round-Up was an excellent opportunity to connect with producers and discuss the latest in ag innovation with other passionate industry experts - thanks to RDAR for having us!

ICYMI: Round-Up 2026 was a HUGE success!
We'll be sharing videos, photos, and session summaries over the next few days. Check back on the event website to catch everything you may have missed.


https://ow.ly/AeH450Z4X7c

06/23/2026

Another great interview from Alberta Seed Guide with our barley breeder, Yadeta! Read the full story here: https://www.seed.ab.ca/breeding-barley-for-an-uncertain-water-future/

What is the value of water?

For Prairie farmers, it’s measured in yield, quality, profitability — and increasingly, resilience.

As rainfall becomes more unpredictable, plant breeders are working to develop barley varieties that can make better use of available moisture, tolerate drought stress, and maintain performance when conditions turn challenging.

Western Crop Innovations breeder Yadeta Kabeta says water variability has become one of the defining challenges facing Prairie crop production, making water-use efficiency a critical breeding target.

It's a timely reminder that the value of water isn't just about how much falls from the sky — it's also about how effectively crops can use it.

Read the story in the comments!

05/18/2026

Registration for WCI's AGM and Program Update is open now through June 7! RSVP here: https://wci-agm-2026.eventbrite.ca/?aff=FB

Pre-registration is required to attend. This event will be held in-person at the Lacombe Memorial Centre on June 10th - all are welcome!

Join us for our program update and annual general meeting for the 2025-26 fiscal year.

04/29/2026

April is an exciting time around the research farm! Preparations and planning for planting season have been in full swing.

Learn more in our monthly newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/ad1ad16980b4/wci-newsletter-april-2026
Sign up for our mailing list here: http://eepurl.com/iO9Zn-/

04/21/2026

We're looking forward to attending this year's RDAR Round-Up! You'll find WCI in the "Knowledge Hub" 🧠💡

Check out the registration page for more info!

Registration is now open!
RDAR's annual Round-Up returns to Cremona, AB on June 17, and this year we're diving deep into digital agriculture and AI. Join us to explore how these tools can boost profitability, sustainability, and impact across your operation.
Secure your spot today.
https://ow.ly/Oey150YKEIB