Western Crop Innovations

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

04/10/2026

Coming up -- WCI will be at the Lacombe & District Chamber of Commerce spring tradeshow next Friday and Saturday, April 17 & 18!

We’re looking forward to connecting with members of the Lacombe and Lacombe County community, sharing our history, what we do today, and how we'll continue to support Canadian agriculture into the future.

Tradeshow highlights include:
- Hiring & Recruitment Fair
- Free Family Photo Booth
- Pokémon Play & Trade
- Free Bounce Castles
- Super Smash Bros Tournament with prizes
- Money Tunnel with prizes
- Pet Adoption Event

There’s something for everyone! Be sure to stop by our booth to say hello and pick up some free goodies.

More info at: https://www.lacombechamber.ca/events-and-awards/trade-show/

03/13/2026

We'll be attending the Gateway Research Organization Research Update and AGM March 26th - be sure to drop by our table to say hello!

Registration to attend closes Friday, March 20. Sign up here: https://gatewayresearch.org/events/agm/

03/02/2026

Our team is headed to Banff for the annual Prairie Grain Development Committee (PGDC) meeting this week!

Endorsed by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), the PGDC serves as the recommending committee for crop variety registration in Western Canada.

This year, WCI is requesting support for registration for two lines:
✅ 1 feed barley
✅ 1 spring triticale

Read more in our February newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/73e084a9e7e9/wci-newsletter-february-2026

02/26/2026

We’re proud of our quality scientist, Lori Oatway, for appearing before the House of Commons Standing Committee for Agriculture and Agri-Food this week, where she spoke as an expert witness on the impacts of proposed AAFC research station closures.

In addition to her role as a research scientist with WCI, Lori serves on the Board of the Canadian Seed Growers’ Association, is a member of the CFIA Plant Breeding Rights Advisory Committee and the Quality Committee for the Prairie Grain Development Committee, and owns and operates a farm outside Lacombe with her husband where they focus on pedigreed seed production. We are grateful to benefit from her expertise every day, and hope the Standing Committee takes her testimony and recommendations to heart.

Thank-you, Lori, for your strong advocacy for Canada’s seed and cropping sectors! 🌾

01/27/2026

Catch up on January news from Western Crop Innovations!

Read it here:https://mailchi.mp/b7271285ccf1/wci-newsletter-january-2026

*Email subscribers may have noticed a small typo in this month’s newsletter edition. Please save the date for THIS year’s Field Day: Tuesday, July 28, 2026 🎉

01/15/2026

Happy Canadian Whisky Week!

At Western Crop Innovations, we ❤️ seeing the success of Canadian distilleries. That’s why, in 2022, we were *especially* excited to register the first Canadian-bred, non-GN barley variety🌾

Glycosidic nitrile (GN) is a compound present in many barley varieties that can be converted into ethyl carbamate (EC) — a regulated carcinogen — during the distillation process. Managing EC levels is an important consideration for distillers across Canada, and using non-GN ingredients is one way to help mitigate the risk of EC formation.

AB Dram is now commercially available through SeedNet Inc., and you just might find it in a whisky glass near you soon!

01/06/2026

As the old adage goes, “Out with the old, in with the new!”

One round of growth room harvest was completed at the end of December, and this week, our team is hard at work planting seeds for the next generation of advancement.

Wishing everyone a strong start to the New Year, from the team at Western Crop Innovations!

11/06/2025

We appreciate the recognition from MLA Lacombe-Ponoka, Jennifer Johnson, and Minister RJ Sigurdson of Alberta Agriculture & Irrigation during a recent assembly session. Their acknowledgment of WCI’s contributions to agricultural innovation highlights our ongoing work in developing seed technologies that strengthen Alberta’s producers and support food security across Canada.

Both MLA Johnson and Minister Sigurdson have been strong advocates and supporters of our programs from day one. WCI’s work would not be possible without the continued partnership and support of our provincial government, whose commitment enables innovation that benefits producers, communities, and Canada’s agricultural future!