Archive For June 2011 ↓
Finalist Backgrounder
June 13, 2011
AC Rigodon
AC Rigoden combines very large kernel size with outstanding test weight, low hull percentage, overall very good agronomics, good overall disease tolerance with better than average BYDV resistance, and broad adaptation. The amount of certified seed produced annually has been, and still remains high enough to potentially cover the total needs of the province of Quebec. AC Rigoden is also a natural choice for those who wish to grow organic crops, since it needs less fertilizer, is adapted to all soil types, and tolerates a certain amount of disease (rust, leaf spots, virus) without noticeable impact on grain quality. AC Rigoden has well surpassed the average longevity of most cereal cultivars.
Plant Breeder(s): Dr. J.P. Dubuc (retired from AAFC, Quebec City)
AC Gehl Hulless Oat
AC Gehl is the first bald-seeded hulless oat produced in Canada, and possibly internationally. It represents a new class of hulless oat and the fact that the seed is almost free of surface borne hairs makes it more acceptable by producers and handlers. The reduction in number of trichomes results in groats that are smooth resulting in very high test weights so larger tonnages of grain can be deposited in storage bins, rail cars and ships holds. The successful breeding and development of AC Gehl has stimulated small entrepreneurs in the business world to use the crop to develop new markets for new products.
Plant Breeder(s): Dr. Vernon Burrows and Dr. Bill Collins
Dividend VL Orchard Grass
Dividend VL is the latest maturing orchard grass variety ever introduced. Slow maturity progression allows Dividend VL to have a better match with alfalfa maturity at harvest. Dividend VL was developed by Stephen Bowley and Donna Hancock at the University of Guelph. This orchard grass species is recognized for its valuable use in stored feed and pasture production. It also has great attributes such as regrowth yield for multiple harvest forage systems, and provides a more consistent legume to grass ratio among first through third cuts. Dividend VL is marketed broadly for forage production, with end uses including pasture, dry hay, and haylage.
Plant Breeder(s): Stephen Bowley and Donna Hancock
Ex Rico 23 Navy Bean
Ex Rico 23 is a navy bean cultivar, registered in Canada on Decemberr 8, 1980. It has historically been one of the most important commercial navy bean varieties in Ontario and has been used as a parent in many bean breeding programs across Canada and therefore contributes significantly in the parentage of many bean varieties. The original line which started in Columbia was developed by Luis Camacho, Silvio Hugo Orozco, Gilberto Bastidas, and Londono. Over the years, Wally Beversdorf, Ken Hough, Tom Michaels, and Tom Smith have been involved in the testing. Ex Rico 23 has had a successful impact on the Canadian Bean Industry over time and has led to the development of other varieties in Canada.
Plant Breeder(s): Luis Camacho, Silvio Hugo Orozco, Gilberto Bastidas, and Londono
OAC Bayfield Soybean
OAC Bayfield is one of a kind variety that has contributed to Ontario agriculture in many different ways. It was developed by a group of researchers from the University of Guelph led by Professors Wallace Beversdorf and Jack Tanner. OAC Bayfield also has slightly higher protein content than average, stands up well in the field and is easy grow. Because of the good seed quality, OAC Bayfield was grown by a number of growers in contract production destined for food grade markets, especially in Europe. There can hardly be better evidence for impact of a variety than the number of years that it has been grown successfully and contributions to the genetics of newer varieties in which OAC Bayfield has done both.
Plant Breeder(s): Wallace Beversdorf and Jack Tanner
Yukon Gold
Yukon Gold is a medium- to high-yielding variety of attractive appearance; excellent storability; long dormancy period; and high specific gravity. Yukon gold was the first Canadian-bred potato variety to be promotes, packaged and marketed with its name on the pack. Thirty years ago, Yukon Gold tapped into a new market and responded to agricultural and consumer demands for an enhanced, disease-resistant gold variety potato easily grown in North America. Today it still remains one of the only varieties marketed by name and has become a household name in many regions of Canada and the U.S.
Plant Breeder(s): The late Garnet (Gary) Johnston, Research Scientist (BSA’49, MSA’51)
Call for nominations
March 4, 2011
Dear members of the plant breeding community,
You are invited to participate in the seventh annual Eastern Canada Seed of the Year competition, a joint initiative developed by SeCan and the University of Guelph. You are welcome to pass this notification on to others in the plant breeding community who would be interested in this competition as well.
Seed of the Year is a competition designed to recognize a publicly developed Canadian field crop, forage, fruit, vegetable or herb variety that has made a significant contribution to the agri-food industry.
Seed of the Year acknowledges the many accomplishments of public plant breeders in Canada. The Seed of the Year competition has expanded nationally and is accepting nominations for varieties developed all across Canada. Two separate awards will be given, one for eastern Canada, and one for western Canada.
Eligibility
Any publicly developed Canadian seed variety can be nominated for Seed of the Year. Unsuccessful nominations will be automatically re-entered in the contest for the next three years.
Selection process
A committee from industry, government, academia and media will judge entries.
Selection will be based on:
• Innovation
• Impact on the industry
• Presence throughout the value chain
• Sustainability
• Marketability
Finalists will be announced in early fall. A recognition event at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto will take place in November. At this time, the Seed of the Year winner will be unveiled.
Deadline for applications is April 22nd, 2011.
Submit applications by mail, by fax or electronically to:
Seed of the Year, c/o Dr. Rene Van Acker
Johnston Hall, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1
Email: seed@uoguelph.ca
If you have any questions, contact Martin Harry, SeCan, 519-657-6456.
2010-2011 Seed of the Year Scholarship
Stephanie Bach and Martin Harry, SeCan
(Guelph, ON, February 8, 2010) – A University of Guelph graduate student from the Department of Plant Agriculture has been awarded the 2010-2011 Seed of the Year Scholarship.
Stephanie Bach, a Master’s student, developed an interest in plant agriculture while completing an internship in biotechnology during her undergrad at the University of Alberta.
“I worked on tissue culture and transgenic modification of a variety of plants, and realized just how much I enjoyed my time there and my work,” says Bach. “I wanted to learn more about agriculture, especially what goes on outside the lab. As Guelph is home to the best agricultural department in Canada, I think it was natural progression to come here.”
Bach received his undergraduate degree from the University of Alberta. She now works with Prof. Alan Sullivan, and is engaged in potato research.
“On a macro scale, the overall goal of this research group is to develop new potato varieties with beneficial compounds to benefit a whole host of health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and obesity,” says Bach. “On a micro scale, my goal is to find stable potato varieties that have beneficial starch and fibre profiles. Better nutritional profiles will help boost the potato’s reputation and reintroduce it into the North American diet.”
Prof. Rene Van Acker, Associate Dean of External Relations for the Ontario Agricultural College says people with skills in plant breeding are increasingly in high demand, as the world looks to supply more of its needs from renewable resources. “We are grateful for the Seed of the Year scholarship which helps to support the training and development of experts in this field,” he says.
The Seed of the Year competition encourages public breeders to highlight their research accomplishments in developing a new field crop, forage, fruit, vegetable or herb variety. Any publicly developed Canadian variety is eligible to compete.
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For more information, please contact Martin Harry at mharry@secan.com or 1-519-423-6435