EXPORTATION OF CANADIAN WINTER WHEAT TO NEPAL

    Canada experiences very diverse climatic factors throughout the country (Government of Canada, 2009). All regions of the country encounter each of the four seasons with warmer temperatures in the south, close to the border with United States, and colder, more harsh temperatures experienced in the north. In the prairies, located in the midwestern part of the country, the winter season is particularly harsh and dry (Government of Canada, 2009). These seasonal extremes cause massive production issues for the farmers located in the prairie provinces as the environment is not always favourable for the crops grown there. As the majority of wheat production is located in the prairie region, stagnated production, even through these harsh and inhospitable winter months, reduces the crop yield that is able to reach the market (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, 2013). A reduction in product reaching the market dictates lower profits for all involved. The solution to this stall in wheat production is a hardy winter wheat seed that can be harvested in the spring.

Winter wheat is a cereal grain and a member of the grass family (OMAFRA Staff, 2009), that can survive the winter months before being harvested the following spring. It can be grown anywhere which meets the requirements of ample snow cover or mild winters in order to avoid the plant dying (termed “winter kill”) (Canadian Organic Growers Inc, 1992). Along with the benefits of the head start on crop growth, which is a significant benefit of winter wheat, it also aids in the reduction of soil erosion and soil compaction in the spring. It produces straw which can be left on the field or used for livestock, creates pores in the soil for aeration purposes, improves soil tilth, and provides a quality residue for the field. Lastly, winter wheat can be grown in almost any soil type, including heavy soils, provided there is no surface water due to poor drainage; surface water will cause winter kill due to the freezing of the standing water (Canadian Organic Growers Inc, 1992).