[Lacombe, AB — October 22, 2025] – Western Crop Innovations (WCI) is proud to welcome the Alberta Cattle Feeders’ Association (ACFA) as a new Member. This partnership brings together organizations dedicated to advancing crop breeding and feed solutions for the livestock industry, fostering stronger connections across Alberta’s agriculture sector.
The partnership also reflects WCI’s ongoing focus on developing feed and forage crop varieties that support the western Canadian livestock sector. Following updates to its business plan in June 2025, WCI began phasing out its malting barley breeding program to concentrate resources on feed and forage development. These updates create a natural alignment with organizations like the ACFA.
“Alberta Cattle Feeders have always embraced technology and innovation,” said Janice Tranberg, President & CEO of the Alberta Cattle Feeders’ Association. “This partnership with Western Crop Innovations represents an important opportunity to ensure that continued innovation benefits Alberta’s feedlot sector and the broader Canadian agri-food value chain. We’re excited to collaborate on research and development that advances feed grain innovation and strengthens long-term competitiveness.”
WCI recently updated its membership model, expanding benefits to attract broader stakeholder engagement across the agriculture value chain. Engaging diverse voices helps ensure WCI’s research remains responsive to the needs of producers, processors, and industry partners. ACFA joins a growing list of WCI members, including Alberta Beef Producers, Alberta Grains, and the SaskBarley Development Commission, all of whom support WCI in advancing crop breeding and research across Western Canada.
“This partnership comes at an important time for WCI,” said Trevor Sears, Executive Director of WCI. “As we sharpen our focus on feed and forage breeding, it’s vital to have organizations like the Alberta Cattle Feeders’ Association at the table to help ensure our research aligns with the needs of the livestock industry.”
About Alberta Cattle Feeders’ Association
The Alberta Cattle Feeders’ Association (ACFA) is an advocacy organization representing the interests of their voluntary members on a broad range of government policies and economic issues impacting the competitiveness of beef production in Alberta. ACFA works to influence policy decisions, identify and advance new technologies, foster partnerships that stimulate new markets and create economic opportunities, and engage producers on key industry trends and priorities. Through research, collaboration, and strategic advocacy, ACFA is committed to harnessing opportunities for growth, sustainability and the competitiveness of Alberta’s cattle feeding industry.
About Western Crop Innovations
Western Crop Innovations (WCI) specializes in the development of feed and forage barley and triticale varieties tailored for optimal performance in local climatic conditions across Western Canada. WCI’s team of researchers is committed to achieving high yields, bolstering disease resistance, and ensuring superior end-use quality characteristics. WCI’s robust operations include a 400-acre central research facility and 40,000 test plots across Alberta. WCI is driven to deliver varieties that enhance environmental sustainability and improve agronomic outcomes for producers.
For more information, please contact:
Keeley Bender – Communications & Marketing Coordinator – Western Crop Innovations – Email Keeley
Gina Devlin – Communications Manager – Alberta Cattle Feeders’ Association – Email Gina