Canada: The Canadian Wheat Board awards program recognizes farmer excellence

The Canadian Wheat Board (CWB) is encouraging Western Canada's top farmers to share their knowledge with others by entering the 2006-07 Master Grower awards program. The program recognizes the achievements of successful wheat and barley farmers, whose expertise in farm management is used to benefit the Prairie grain industry.

"There is no substitute for the know-how that a farmer cultivates through years of hard work and experience - it's something that can't be found in books," said Ken Ritter, chair of the CWB's farmer-controlled board of directors.

"The Master Grower program accesses knowledge about what farm management practices work best, from the people who know them best. We want to create role models and we want to recognize the successful and dedicated farmers who excel in this profession."

For the 2006-07 crop year (August 1, 2006 to July 31, 2007), CWB Master Growers will be named for malting barley, red winter wheat (CWRW Select), hard white spring wheat and durum. Information about their experiences and growing techniques is shared with other farmers and the grain industry through creation of materials on best management practices.

Controlled by western Canadian farmers, the CWB is the largest wheat and barley marketer in the world. One of Canada's biggest exporters, the Winnipeg-based organization sells grain to more than 70 countries, returning all sales revenue, less marketing costs, to farmers.