By Alice McFarlane

Faba bean breeding to create improved varieties

Jun 6, 2025 | 11:34 AM

There is a new partnership in faba bean breeding in Saskatchewan.

Saskatchewan Pulse Growers (SPG) and J4 Agri-Science will create additional pulse breeding capacity, developing new and better performing varieties of faba beans.

Farmers’ priorities and greatest production challenges are at the forefront of the program, with major areas of focus including low vicine/convicine levels, early maturity, improved yield, and improved disease resistance.

The J4 faba bean breeding program is based in Saskatchewan, with an office in Saskatoon, main testing site in Northeastern Saskatchewan, and additional selection and testing sites across the Western Canadian prairies.

Co-Founder and Breeder Jodi Souter said J4 is passionate in its quest to advance grain farming across the Canadian Prairies.

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“J4 is dedicated to bringing new and desired genetics to Saskatchewan growers in multiple crops, especially in crops that are currently under-served in their development.” Souter said. “This new collaboration will stimulate innovation and efficient variety development in Saskatchewan.”

SPG Board Chair Winston van Staveren said breeding will take place in Saskatchewan for the benefit of Saskatchewan producers.

“Faba beans are a promising crop for farmers and offers an alternate pulse crop to extend rotations in certain areas experiencing root rot pressures. Additional new eyes to challenges around maturity, yield, and disease will create competitive varieties for growers,” van Staveren said.

The collaboration has SPG and J4 bringing germplasm into the program, SPG providing upfront investments, with future royalties from the sale of new varieties to be shared. SPG will provide input on breeding priorities and ensure that farmers’ voices, needs, priorities, and challenges are driving the goals of the program every step of the way.

This new partnership is SPG’s second major collaboration in pulse breeding in Saskatchewan. The new environment will encourage multiple breeding programs and a transition from a royalty-free system to growers paying for access to new varieties through royalties, like they do for other crops.

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alice.mcfarlane@pattisonmedia.com