Midge tolerant wheat and Importance of saving SM1gene

[gustgd]

http://www.midgetolerantwheat.ca/farmers/faq.aspx

[SASKFARMER3]

Order seed use that seed for one year and order again. Repeat the process.

[farmaholic]

Or seed a quarter or half section (depending on farm size and save the production from the certified seed for the subsequent years needs until you run out. Seed some more certified the year before you're completely out of the other. Rinse and repeat....

[SASKFARMER3]

That's what we did the first year seeded 160 acres cleaned all and use when needed for the next three. Last year purchased new and did the same. Might use most this year as switching up varieties'.

[farmaholic]

This is our last year for midge tolerant wheat, switching to Cardale, hoping the seed guide rating for fusarium "tolerance" is somewhat relevant. New HRSW variety Titanium is midge tolerant and has some fusarium tolerance but has fair standability and poor sprouting resistance , may be one to watch....

[gustgd]

It's not buy seed every year it's only use seed that one year off certified. But you knew that didn't you.
What's your solution for preserving a gene that your tax and check off dollars were used to develope?
Let's play a game of would you rather.

[farmaholic]

Yup, that's what the "Trait Stewardship Agreement" I signed said...(if that comment was directed at me) Sorry if I didn't make myself clear.

[TOM4CWB]

The solution for preserving the Midge tolerance is to test the seed before planted.

If the refuge WHT variety in the mix is not high enough, then it needs to have more added to bring it above the required 7 percentage refuge for the midge insects to eat...
So resistance does not breed in the gene pool of the Midge insects... By only attacking resistant Wht plants.
There is a likelihood in heavy midge areas... That the refuge WHT will have big reduced yield... Causing the imbalance in the seed the following years When replanting.

[TOM4CWB]

As seed growers we are required to maintain this balance.
The refuge variety can be well blended in to the mix,bringing it to the needed standard. We then retest to be sure it is the correct blend.
Even in our low midge area, we often have the blend drop from 10 to 6 percent refuge in one year.
This is not a conspiracy to sell seed. Simply a practical need to preserve our genetic assets to reduce insecticides needed for food production.
Cheers!

[wmoebis]

And producers are smart enough to do that themselves.