CDC Ptarmigan was originally released by the Crop Development Centre in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan in 1999. The soft white winter wheat has shown high potential yield, as well as high stability, in both high and low moisture environments. In the 2006 Cereal Research Report by the Field Crop Development Centre and Lacombe Research Centre, test results showed CDC Ptarmigan having significantly fewer grassy weeds than other winter wheat. The test results also showed that CDC Ptarmigan produced a higher yield when compared to the other winter wheat in the trial.

Winter Wheat
The benefits to winter wheat are numerous, including but not limited to;

• Seeding in the fall, avoids difficulties with wet springs, and results in an earlier harvest.
• Because of early seeding, winter wheat can take advantage of the spring melt, and utilize the water more effectively than spring seeded crops.
• Winter wheat can avoid midge damage because of early heading due to early seeding; as a result there is no need for insecticides.
• There is also a reduction in the risk of Fusarium head blight, because of the winter wheat's earlier development.
• Winter wheat competes well, so wild oat herbicide is not usually needed.
• Because there is no need for wild oat herbicide, there is a reduction in the herbicide resistance.
• Due to low level of pesticide usage and reduced tillage, a lower energy is required.
• CDC Ptarmigan has a high potential yield, and since there is a reduction in pesticide costs, there is a greater potential for increased returns per acre.
• Waterfowl have an environment to nest, as a result of fewer disturbances.
• Conservation farming systems benefit from the decreased need for herbicides.

Environmental Impacts
Winter Wheat is seeded in the fall; as well it germinates in the fall. Once spring arrives, the wheat begins to grow again. Many environmental groups such as Ducks Unlimited Canada support the use of winter wheat because of their benefits to the ecosystem. Since winter wheat has a head start on the growing season, it provides a safe an attractive habitat for waterfowl to nest in the spring.