Breeder seed distribution is made possible through the Alberta Pulse Growers (APG) Agreement with the Saskatchewan Pulse Growers, Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development and the University of Saskatchewan's Crop Development Center (CDC). This seed program is founded on the premise that this arrangement will encourage the growth of the pulse sector through rapid uptake and acceptance of new varieties. To ensure that new pulse varieties are made available to commercial producers quickly and at a reasonable cost, the VRP is providing Breeder seed with no royalty collection requirements. However, all growers contribute to the development of new varieties and to the advancement of the industry. Thus, Alberta growers who request a refund of their levy are unable to participate in the Variety Release Program.

There is currently no formal agreement between the Alberta Pulse Growers and the Saskatchewan Pulse Growers for ongoing access to CDC bean varieties. Alberta orders for bean seed will only be filled if inventory exists after "before-deadline" orders by Saskatchewan growers have been filled.

Effective 2003, participants of the Variety Release Program are not permitted to sell seed of pulse varieties, released by the Program in 2003 and beyond, outside of the Canada. Please note that this regulation applies to varieties released for the first time in 2003 as well as to varieties released after 2003, but does not apply to varieties released from 1997-2002. Since CDC varieties are royalty free and since no levy is collected outside of Canada, the VRP receives no revenue from CDC varieties, which are being grown outside of the Distribution Territory, even though Alberta and Saskatchewan growers have contributed to the development of these varieties. The VRP will now negotiate sub-licensing agreements for distribution rights, of CDC pulse varieties, outside of Canada. Through these agreements, it will be possible for the VRP to generate royalties on CDC pulse varieties grown outside of the Territory, allowing us to capture value from our technology that is being used outside of Canada. Please note that CDC varieties continue to remain royalty free within Canada.

For a complete list of varieties, please click the link below:

Pulse Seed Varieties

Technical Information, Availability and Distribution of Breeder Seed:

Raelene Regier, B.Sc
Variety Program Administrator
Saskatchewan Pulse Growers
104 - 411 Downey Road
Saskatoon, SK S7N 4L8
Tel: (306) 668-1053
Fax: (306) 668-5557
Email: rregier@saskpulse.com