Faculty & Students

Wheat | Licensing Opportunities

The University of Guelph Wheat Breeding (campus) Program launched in 2014 and at Ridgetown Campus in 2008. They are a unique public-private partnership between the Ontario Agricultural College (OAC), the Grain Farmers of Ontario, and SeCan. The programs focus exclusively on developing Canada eastern soft red winter wheat varieties adapted to the unique growing conditions of Ontario and broader regions across Eastern Canada. 

Our two distinct breeding programs, each led by dedicated breeders, aim to: 

  • Develop novel wheat varieties with enhanced agronomic traits suited to regional needs
  • Advance understanding of the genetics and genomics of essential wheat characteristics
  • Train highly qualified personnel in wheat breeding and research

Interested in learning more about our varieties available for licensing?

High Impact Releases

  • OAC Moon | 2022

    An awned soft red winter wheat from the Guelph campus Program with excellent lodging resistance and a 4-year yield index (with fungicides) of 105% and 110% in southwestern and central Ontario, respectively.

  • OAC Constellation | 2020 

    An awned soft red winter wheat the first cultivar release by the Guelph campus Program is now the agronomic check (i.e. the yield standard) and grain quality reference variety for registration trials. 

  • UGRC Ring | 2014

    A high-yielding winter wheat from the Ridgetown Breeding Program with excellent pastry quality. UGRC Ring is popular among growers in Quebec and Ontario.

  • Marker | 2013

    A soft red winter wheat cultivar, from the Ridgetown Breeding Program, registered for Ontario. It has a high grain yield with good pastry quality and is moderately susceptible to Fusarium head blight. Marker is well adapted to the winter wheat growing areas of Ontario.

  • Dawson's Golden Chaff Winter Wheat | 1891

    A hearty winter wheat that continues to be utilized in current experiments aimed at developing new resilient wheat varieties.

 

Research Contacts

Headshot of Lily Tamburic-Ilincic

Ridgetown | Dr. Lily Tamburic Illincic

Research Scientist, Wheat Breeding and Genetics

Photo of Helen Booker

Guelph | Dr. Helen Booker

Associate Professor, Grain Farmers of Ontario Wheat Breeder

Licensing Contact

Steve Dinka | germplasm@uoguelph.ca