In the wake of fundamental changes in the cereal industry, there emerged a need for producer-led cereal associations to provide leadership in wheat and barley research and market development. Manitoba along with other provinces were each required to petition provincial certification agencies to seek a recommendation to receive regulatory authority to establish and operate a check-off on behalf of growers.
In consultation with farm leaders an interim board was appointed to fulfill the requirements to achieve regulatory authority and to launch the organization. Based on feedback from farm leaders the Manitoba organization chose to combine wheat and barley within the same board to capture efficiencies and leverage effectiveness for the growers of either or both crops.
As of January 1, 2014 the Manitoba Wheat and Barley Growers Association joins other equivalent organizations established in Alberta (2012) and in Saskatchewan (2013) to strategically invest in research and market development initiatives that advance the profitability and sustainability of wheat and/or barley production for growers.