Join us to celebrate the culmination of five years of EFAO’s Small Grains Program, including interactive reflection, sharing outcomes from the Program (including Adaptive Nitrogen Trials results), a presentation from an expert speaker, and a delicious lunch together.

In September, we’ll host three regional celebrations open to all, each at a different brewing company, some of which are owned and operated by EFAO farmer members!

Exciting new research — Opportunities to engage and provide your perspective — Door prizes & cold drinks!

This Eastern event is special because the venue is partly owned and operated by Ivan MacKinnon, past Small Grains Program participant.

Speaker: Dr. Andrew Burt – Breeding for Climate Resilience in Wheat

Andrew Burt is a Research Scientist in spring wheat germplasm enhancement at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), where he has worked since 2014. Based in Ottawa, he leads the Spring wheat breeding program for Eastern Canada, focusing on yield, agronomic traits, fusarium head blight resistance, and end-use quality. While rooted in conventional variety development, his program is increasingly shifting toward upstream trait discovery and germplasm development to support long-term genetic improvement. Andrew develops and refines field- and lab-based screening strategies, integrating molecular tools to improve the efficiency and precision of selection. Prior to leading the Eastern program in 2018, he headed the Hard Red Spring wheat program for the Northern Prairies. He holds a Ph.D. in plant breeding and genetics from the University of Guelph and has broad experience researching specialty traits, disease resistance, and developing novel germplasm in corn and dry beans.

Agenda

• 10:00 – 10:30AM   Arrivals & Surveys
• 10:30 – 11:00AM   Small Grains Program Outcomes
• 11:00AM – 12:00PM   Brainstorm Activity
• 12:00 – 2:00PM   Lunch & Presenter Dr. Andrew Burt
• 2:00 – 3:00PM   Brewery Tour & Celebration

This field day is offered with the support of the Weston Family Foundation through EFAO’s Small Grains program.