Growing the Future - College of Agriculture and Bioresources
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USASK C O L L E G E O F A G R I C U LT U R E A N D B I O R E S O U R C E S M A G A Z I N E 2021
Growing the Future
The future is in farmers’ hands.
It could be in yours too.
The world needs a new generation of thinkers.
We need you. Join the BASF Agricultural Solutions Team.
At BASF, we provide advanced solutions and agronomic advice to help
growers farm today and into the future. We offer university and college
students a wide variety of summer internships and roles upon graduation
across disciplines including research, agronomy, technical services,
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hear from you. Visit basf.ca to learn more.
2 AGKN OW LEDG E FA L L 2021
© 2020 BASF Canada Inc.
Contents
USask • College of Agriculture and Bioresources • 2021
Dean's report 1
2020-21 Year in review 2
Supporting farm and family 3
Editor
Brett Makulowich
Communications Co-ordinator
College of Agriculture and Bioresources Uncovering the secrets of the earth to mitigate climate change 5
Contributing Editor
Hamish Tulloch Improving the sustainability of the beef industry through applied research 8
Director of Development
College of Agriculture and Bioresources
Art direction/design Crop Development Centre launching new look to celebrate
Deanna Miller a half century of success 11
Deanna Miller Design
Printer Unlocking the genetic mysteries behind beef 14
Mister Print
Publication Date
Fall 2021 For the love of plants 17
Published by the College of
Agriculture and Bioresources, USask Finding solutions in unlikely places 19
We acknowledge we are on Treaty 6 Territory
and the Homeland of the Métis. We pay Graduate student making contributions to improve the poultry industry 21
our respect to the First Nation and Métis
ancestors of this place and reaffirm our
relationship with one another. The art, science and conservation of prescribed fires 23
Use of the University of Saskatchewan logo is regulated by the
University of Saskatchewan Board of Governors and is protected
under section IX of the Canadian Copyright Act. Donor recognition 26
The College of Agriculture and Bioresources and the University
of Saskatchewan make no expressed or implied warranties of
merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose or otherwise, Ensuring the longevity of our critical research and extension activity 29
concerning the use of any product, statement, and advice
provided, and assumes no liability for any injury or damage, direct
or consequential, which may be incurred from the use of such
SAGA news 31
products or services herein.
Contact
College of Agriculture and Bioresources
University of Saskatchewan
51 Campus Drive
Saskatoon, SK S7N 5A8
Phone: (306) 966-4056
Fax: (306) 966-8894
@agbiousask
4
Cover photo: Inside the Agriculture
Greenhouses on campus, 42,000 plants
are growing.
Photography by Christina Weese.
Dean's report
Dr. Angela Bedard-Haughn (PhD)
This past year – my first to adapt to changing economics (both
locally and globally), to changing climates,
future employers. Later in this issue of
Agknowledge, you’ll read about the search
full year as Dean of the to changing technologies and to changing for a new research chair, which is supported
student needs. As we look back on the past by a truly innovative partnership among the
College of Agriculture year and look forward to this year, we can university, industry and government.
and Bioresources – has reflect on just how apropos that theme was.
At the same time, though, our adaptation
Last year, our research and teaching
been characterized by activities adapted to continue to thrive
comes from the strength that we have built
over more than a century, a century full
change and challenges. while keeping our faculty, staff and students
safe and healthy. We found new ways to
of ample challenges. Our college and the
community it serves are rooted in tradition,
Between the constant change and stay connected to the stakeholders and
and we are proud to be building upon the
challenges brought on by the COVID-19 communities we serve. This year, we are
success of our roots as we grow our future.
pandemic and the obstacles of a remarkably adapting to a new approach yet again,
as we strive to provide a working and In 2021, we are celebrating 100 years of
dry growing season throughout much of
learning environment that is both safe horticulture science at the University of
the Prairies, we have been forced to adapt,
and then adapt again. and supportive. Saskatchewan (USask) and 50 years of the
USask Crop Development Centre.
Interestingly, the theme of the college’s We are excited to be growing our future,
strategic plan which outlines our goals by implementing new ideas such as a new Now more than ever, we look forward to
to 2025 is “Adapting to Change”. Written lecturer who will help us adapt the core continuing to adapt and grow the College
pre-COVID, it was conceived out of a curriculum of our BSA program to better of Agriculture and Bioresources in new
recognition that we are increasingly called serve the needs of our students and their ways: to be the college the world needs.
1 AGKN OW LEDG E FA L L 2021
2020-21 Year in Review
Adapting to change in extraordinary times, the College of Agriculture and Bioresources is growing the future.
1,703 $33.6 42,000
Students million
1,385 318 New awarded
research funding
Undergrad Graduate
$1.5
Plants growing
in the Agriculture
Greenhouses
million
315 Staff
80
Faculty
Scholarships, bursaries,
awards
Undergraduate students by program 16
Bachelor of Science, Agriculture 728
Bachelor of Science, Agribusiness 247
Bachelor of Science,
Animal Bioscience 229
Bachelor of Science,
Renewable Resource New crop varieties
Management 43
licensed by the
Diploma in Agribusiness 54 Crop Development
Diploma in Agronomy 58 Centre
Kanawayihetaytan Askiy Program 26
25
Bachelor of Science, Agriculture students by major
4
Agricultural Biology 17
Agricultural Economics 11
Agronomy 199
Animal Science 159
Virtual coffee rows
Applied Plant Ecology 12
Crop Science 43
held for students
Environmental Science 61 to connect during
Food and Bioproduct Sciences 22
Horticulture Science 44
the pandemic
Soil Science 17
Undeclared 143
Supporting
farm and
family
Alumna
Tiffany Martinka
switched lanes
from a corporate
agriculture career
to advocacy.
JOANNE PAULSON Tiffany with her sheep
To say Tiffany Martinka’s life is all about let alone special needs childcare.” family farm my husband grew up on. I
farming is both an understatement and “I had to quit my career to stay at home actually grew up in Weyburn. I met my
not entirely true. on the farm to care for her. That was four husband in university; he was getting his
years ago in November that I officially quit agronomy degree. We settled close to the
There is one thing more important, and
that is family. my job.” farm and then we had a five-year succession
plan with my father-in-law. It’s been seven
Martinka plunged into an agribusiness Yet when a door closes, a window opens. years since we transitioned.”
career after graduating from the College of When she was working full-time and raising
Agriculture and Bioresources in 2008. But her two older children, now 10 and seven, “We were farming with two uncles and
when her daughter was born four years ago it left little time for her other passion: farm we’re now 50-50 partners with an aunt and
with a rare form of epilepsy, she knew she advocacy. Now home with her daughter at uncle, Laverne and Colleen Martinka.”
would stay at home on the farm full-time. her side, she has been able to embrace it. Marinka also grew up on a grain and
“At six months of age, she had her first Martinka and her husband, Lane, cattle farm and was very involved with the
seizure,” Martinka said in an interview. “She operate a chicken farm in northeastern family operation and in 4-H. Early on, she
was ultimately diagnosed with a severe Saskatchewan near St. Benedict. One of 68 knew her career would be in agriculture.
form of epilepsy called Dravet syndrome.” chicken farms in Saskatchewan, it produces “The reason I wanted to go into
100,000 chicks per flock and six to seven agriculture was because I knew that we
“I was coming up to the end of my mat
flocks per year; they also seed 2,000 acres all need agriculture in our lives every
leave and her seizures were nowhere near
of grainland. day . . . in every part of the world. At that
controlled. Being in rural Saskatchewan,
there are not a lot of options for childcare, “My husband grew up here; this is the age, I didn’t know where I would end up. I
3 AGKN OW LEDG E FA L L 2021
Canola Council of Canada as an agronomy “I want consumers to have a connection
specialist and then for Monsanto as a to their farmers,” she said. “In past
territory account manager. generations, people used to grow up on
Now, “my special needs daughter is my the farm. Then the next generation they
primary role,” she said. “Advocating and had grandma and grandpa to go visit on
sharing our farm is something we can the farm. As generations go by, there’s less
do right here; she can do it with me, and less connection to that farm.”
alongside me.” “Now only three per cent of Canadians
She started an Instagram account called are involved directly in primary agriculture.
Prairie Pretty, began writing a blog, and
worked to expand her advocacy horizons.
“I started looking at opportunities I could
do as a farmer . . . and participated in the
Chicken Farmers of Canada young farmer
program. I was one of five chicken farmers
chosen from across Canada to participate
. . . and being part of this program, I was
able to travel to Ottawa, learn a lot more in-
depth about our chicken industry . . . and
that has really helped with my advocacy.”
“I started doing more advocating on
my Instagram account. It’s really gotten
a good amount of traction. I work closely
with Farm and Food Care Saskatchewan,
and I work closely with Chicken Farmers of
Saskatchewan (CFS) and Chicken Farmers
of Canada.” Tiffany with her family
She now serves as the CFS director for
Photography by Damara Lynn Photography
Farm and Food Care after being awarded
its champion award in 2020. Martinka has
also given presentations to a Dieticians That is not a lot of people. And farmers are
of Canada conference, to parliamentary often humble people who like keeping to
interns from Ottawa, and a Federal themselves on the farm; there’s a reason
Municipalities of Canada conference. why they like this lifestyle, so there’s even
Being home on the farm has allowed her less of that three per cent that speak up
Photography by Alicia Marie
to pursue other opportunities, and one of about what we do.”
them has been thoroughly embraced by “It’s so important to offer that connection
her children. She recently started managing
thought maybe I would travel, and I wanted to the farm. People deserve to know where
a small flock of Olde English Southdown
to go into an industry where that might their food comes from.”
“Babydoll” sheep. They stand a mere 24
be possible.” inches high at the shoulder. Among her other activities are virtual
“I didn’t know exactly what job I wanted tours of her farm. During the pandemic,
“I wanted to get animals for the kids and
to do, but I knew the possibilities would be many people pivoted to using Zoom for
decided on sheep,” she said. “I looked on
endless. Because we all need to eat, right? meeting and connecting, and she took
Kijiji and thought, oh my gosh, that is what
It’s such a diverse industry and that’s what we need.” advantage of the online service.
led me to agriculture.” “It was a way for me to offer virtual tours.
She sourced the very rare little animals
She enrolled in the College of Agriculture from a breeder who was retiring and Because of biosecurity reasons we can’t
and Bioresources, starting in economics; dispersing her flock. Martinka took half of it; just walk everybody through our farm,”
but she graduated with a degree in she now has 15 breeding animals and sells she noted.
agribusiness, a specialty created by the the lambs. “This past June, I offered a year-end virtual
college when she was in her second year. field trip for Saskatchewan classrooms. I
“It’s a niche market for these sheep. They
“I was really interested in marketing and are primarily used for hobby farms and presented to over 100 classrooms. It was
the business side of things. It was such a acreages as pets and to eat the grass around so much fun; it was so neat to get that kind
great program; I really enjoyed it. I really acreages as well as used for someone to of response.”
enjoyed the mixture of commerce classes keep for spinning their own wool.” “I think that demonstrates that there’s a
as well as the agriculture classes.” need for this sort of information, this sort
Her passions spring from a desire to
After graduation, she worked for the connect farming with the rest of society. of connection.”
USASK CO L L E G E O F AG RI C U LT U RE A N D B I O RE S O U RC E S 4
Uncovering the secrets
climate change
5 AGKN OW LEDG E FA L L 2021 Photography by Christina Weese
of the earth to mitigate
ASHLEIGH MATTERN
In a teaspoon of soil, there are more
microorganisms than humans on
Earth. One teaspoon has billions
of microbes, and tens of thousands
of different kinds.
That complexity is a challenge for soil microbiologists like Dr.
Bobbi Helgason (PhD), associate professor in the Department of
Soil Science at the University of Saskatchewan (USask).
She works in agricultural systems looking at microorganisms
in the soil and microorganisms associated with plants to better
understand how they support nutrient cycling and plant growth.
One area of particular focus for Helgason is soil carbon.
“Soil carbon is a really hot topic because of its importance for
mitigation of climate change,” she said. “We know that soils store a
lot of carbon—they’re important sinks for carbon dioxide removal
from the atmosphere—and soil microorganisms are important
agents of the amount and form of carbon stored in the soil.
“It’s a positive thing our agriculture systems do for society, and
more broadly, it’s an important mechanism of combating climate
change. Soil carbon, the backbone of soil organic matter, is also at
the heart of soil fertility. It is critical for healthy agroecosystems.”
She’s working to understand how to optimize and promote the
processes that stabilize carbon in the soil.
With soil carbon sequestration, plants capture carbon dioxide in
the air and build it into their tissues. Later in the plant’s life cycle,
that carbon gets sequestered in the soil through the process of
microbial decomposition, Helgason said.
“Soil carbon change boils down to inputs minus outputs equals
change in storage,” she said. “We can either increase plant growth
or other types of carbon we might apply to the land, or we can
decrease their decomposition.”
Microbes have some similarities to us humans. When we ingest
carbohydrates and metabolize the energy in that food, it creates
carbon dioxide, some of which we breathe back out. Microbes are
doing the same thing, Helgason said.
“They’re taking plant tissues and consuming them. When they
consume them, they build some of that plant carbon into their own
cells … When they die, those carbon-containing molecules can
become stabilized in the soil. If microbes grow inefficiently, most
get respired back into the atmosphere.”
USASK CO L L E G E O F AG RI C U LT U RE A N D B I O RE S O U RC E S 6
UNCOVERING THE SECRETS OF THE EARTH TO MITIGATE CLIMATE CHANGE
Farmers can promote more efficient carbon atom,” Helgason said. in the summer, I find it remarkable how
microbes by managing the soils differently. much food we produce here,” she said.
Tracking the carbon in this way allows
That might mean reduced tillage, or “Understanding how we can do that
the researchers to create experiments
changing the crop rotation because, in the most positive way, both for the
where they can manipulate the conditions
Helgason said, “microbes like a balanced success of farmers themselves and society
to find ways to keep more carbon in the soil.
diet.” in general, makes this an exciting place
“Unpacking something so complex is
“Some microorganisms are more efficient to build a career. And because microbes
difficult, but with these tracers we get
than others,” she said. “So we can use the have so much to contribute to sustainable
a clearer picture of which [microbes]
way we manage our agricultural systems to agriculture, there are many avenues of
are important for promoting carbon
try to enhance the activity of the efficient fascinating research to explore.”
stabilization.”
ones and keep more carbon in the soil.” Throughout her career, she’s worked
Looking at roots in particular offers on soil biological processes. She did her
Opening the black box some helpful clues, Helgason said. Living bachelor’s and master’s degrees at the
Carbon is everywhere but it can be plants feed the microbes around them; College of Agriculture and Bioresources,
difficult to follow below ground because the carbon exuded from the roots feeds then moved to Lethbridge, Alta., to take a
we can’t see it, Helgason said. The earth is the microorganisms, which in turn returns job with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.
a black box. resources back to the plant in a synergistic She came back to USask to complete
relationship. her PhD.
But advances in science are changing that.
“We can look at how much root carbon Using molecular biology and researching
The university has built capacity to use
gets deposited by crops of different species. DNA for these types of applications was
a stable isotope tracer—a form of carbon
… Because of the size and the nature of just emerging when she was an undergrad
with an extra neutron—making it easier to
different rooting systems, they not only put student, a shift from traditional culture-
detect with specialized equipment.
more or less carbon below ground but it based microbiology.
Helgason and her research team have gets there in different forms.”
been labelling plants with that tracer and “The number of tools available to us
then following the decomposition of the
The positive benefits of agriculture to understand these complex processes
has exploded,” she said. “We’re always
molecules. The plants are put in a special Helgason has always had a fascination
building better capacity to dig deeper and
growth chamber where the atmosphere is with farms. She was born and raised in
understand more.”
filled with this tracer. Saskatchewan on a grain farm near St.
Gregor, Sask., about 135 kilometres east of It’s cutting-edge work that she said keeps
“The plants go along and do their usual
Saskatoon. her on her toes.
photosynthesis and incorporate that tracer
into their molecules just like any other “Every time I drive in rural Saskatchewan “It’s a continually changing challenge,
but it’s exciting. We are talking about a
complex ecosystem, so all of this increased
precision allows us to dig deeper and
understand more.”
She also appreciates the collaborative
nature of the work; her area of study
connects her with a wide range of other
scientists and professionals.
“The microbial piece is just one part of
the equation,” she said.
Her work includes understanding how
to implement the research on farms,
making it an important part of maintaining
and enhancing long-term productivity
of soil systems, as well as preserving and
enhancing the health of our agricultural
ecosystems and all of the adjacent
ecosystems that they impact.
“Carbon storage is one of those very
positive benefits that agriculture plays
for society. By storing more carbon in the
soil, our goal is to enhance climate change
mitigation and build healthier soils,”
she said.
Dr. Bobbi Helgason (PhD)
7 AGKN OW LEDG E FA L L 2021Improving the sustainability of the beef industry through applied research ASHLEIGH MATTERN Photography by Lana Haight USASK CO L L E G E O F AG RI C U LT U RE A N D B I O RE S O U RC E S 8
IMPROVING THE SUSTAINABILIT Y OF THE BEEF INDUSTRY THROUGH APPLIED RESEARCH
Photography: submitted
Ribeiro Lab. Left to right from the top: Tyen Paterson, Nikita Payne, Dr. Gabriel Ribeiro. Bottom: Jenna Sarich and Phoebe Johnson.
There is mounting pressure on the beef industry
to be more efficient and use less resources, said
Dr. Gabriel Ribeiro (PhD), assistant professor in
the Department of Animal and Poultry Science
and the Saskatchewan Beef Industry Chair. “Cattle are better
than any other
“I’m trying to make sure producers can continue to produce in a sustainable way,
and make sure they can improve their efficiency,” Ribeiro said.
species at efficient
Through his work, he wants to help producers use their resources in the
use of those
best way possible, and make sure animals stay healthy while converting those byproducts.”
resources efficiently. DR. GABRIEL RIBEIRO (PHD)
He recently finished an animal study looking at the impact of ergot alkaloids in
feedlot cattle diets. Ergot alkaloids are produced by a fungus that infect cereal grains
during the flowering stage.
“We’ve done some work trying to understand the impact of that in beef cattle, on
the health side, and growth and performance of the animals.”
The study was undertaken at the Livestock and Forage Centre of Excellence at the
9 AGKN OW LEDG E FA L L 2021IMPROVING THE SUSTAINABILIT Y OF THE BEEF INDUSTRY THROUGH APPLIED RESEARCH
University of Saskatchewan (USask) and compared the impact of Ribeiro’s goal is to develop a tool for producers that’s easy to use,
different levels of ergot alkaloids in cattle’s diet, including below fast and cheap. Once it’s developed, the tool will give producers the
recommended levels and near maximum recommended levels, ability to rank the animals by how much they are eating and how
according to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. much they are converting that feed into meat — something that’s
labour intensive and limited with current practices.
“Even levels below what should be a maximum limit to feed
animals, we can still see animals having issues with reducing their If producers understand how much the cattle are eating, and
performance, reducing their intake and their weight gain,” he said. how much of that food they’re converting to meat, they can select
animals for breeding that are more efficient.
“We’re pretty excited with this data and results of this research
because we can advise producers and improve legislation More efficient animals mean you would need less feed or
and regulation.” less grazing area for the same number of animals, reducing the
environmental impact of beef cattle production and helping the
His master’s student Jenna Sarich is leading that research.
producer’s bottom line.
The research is important because producers want to know what
Pasture-fed animals also don’t always get all of the nutrients they
level of contamination of their grain they can have in the diet of
require for optimal health, and this process would allow producers
the animal without impacting the health of those animals. And
to supplement the animals more precisely, Ribeiro said.
it’s going to become more important to understand how it affects
animals because ergot alkaloids are impacted by climate change. A 10,000 kilometre journey
With the changing weather, he said more contamination of cereal
grains is expected. Ribeiro hails from the state of Minas Gerais in Brazil. It’s an inland
state in the same area as the states of Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo.
Cattle have a special ability to eat lower quality feedstuffs in a He’s from the capital city of Belo Horizonte, but he said his family is
way that humans can’t. Ribeiro said that most of the barley grown involved in farming cattle.
is meant for the malting industry, but about 70 per cent doesn’t
meet the standards for human consumption and gets downgraded “I was always helping out and working with the farm,” he said.
to animal feed. Similarly, distillers’ grains from the fermentation of “When it came time to do university, I wanted to do veterinary
corn or wheat is a byproduct rich in protein and fibre, which can be school.”
dried or pelleted to produce feed. While earning his veterinary degree at the Universidade Federal
“Cattle are better than any other species at efficient use of those de Minas Gerais, he had an opportunity to do some research on
byproducts,” Ribeiro said. ruminant nutrition with the animal science department, sparking
an interest that led him to complete his master’s and PhD on
“When we look at the benefits of having cattle around, they’re that topic.
using a lot of feed that doesn't meet human quality standards and
byproducts from industry.” He was first introduced to Canada in 2012 via a Brazilian federal
scholarship that funds international research. He also worked in
But at certain levels, it can still have a negative impact on the Lethbridge, Alta., for Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada as part of
animal, so it’s important to understand what those levels are. his PhD.
Reducing the environmental impact of beef When a colleague in Lethbridge invited him to continue to work
with him after Ribeiro’s PhD was completed, he agreed.
Another project Ribeiro is working on with a different master’s
student, Jenilee Peters Tarasoff, is to develop an easy way to “I was excited to go back because I had a great experience in
estimate the intake of beef cattle in the pasture, with the goals of Lethbridge,” he said.
selecting more efficient animals and being able to adjust the diets
He did a post-doctorate in Lethbridge, and then got a job as an
of the animals.
assistant professor at the University of Calgary in 2018.
“In grazing animals, it’s really hard to get that information,” he said.
Ribeiro was drawn to the position at USask because it came with
“All the methods we have are crude and it’s hard to get individual
the industry chair and the university had recently unveiled its new
animal intake. Usually we have an assessment of a group of animals
beef research facility. He joined USask in September 2019.
but that is an estimate, so still not a really good number.”
“When I first went to Lethbridge, I never thought I would be
In this research, they are trying to use near infrared spectroscopy
living in Canada,” he said.
(NIRS) of the feces of the cattle to provide that information. They’re
in the process of developing calibrations that will allow them to He was looking to learn a lot and to go back and work in Brazil,
correlate the findings with the animal’s intake. but there were good opportunities for work in Canada and he
enjoyed the industry and the people working in it.
The first stage of that project has been a very controlled study
where they’re collecting the data that will help them create a tool As the Saskatchewan Beef Industry Chair, he works closely with
for producers. producers to answer their needs, and he said he enjoys helping
producers and the beef industry in general.
“It takes less than a minute to scan the feces of those animals in
the NIRS machine and we can quickly estimate how much they are He also enjoys teaching and working with students.
eating, how much they are digesting, if we think there’s a nutrient in “It motivates me to continue to work with this exciting industry
the diet they aren’t consuming enough of, we can then adjust that.” and push forward,” he said.
USASK CO L L E G E O F AG RI C U LT U RE A N D B I O RE S O U RC E S 10Crop Development Centre
launching new look to
celebrate a half century
of success
NYKOLE KING
Photography by Christina Weese
CDC flax
11 AGKN OW LEDG E FA L L 2021The Crop Development Centre (CDC) at the
University of Saskatchewan (USask) is a
powerhouse of research that’s propelled
Canadian agriculture forward for five
decades—and it shows no signs of slowing.
For 50 years, the CDC has developed “The idea to rebrand the CDC is to
seeds of new varieties that become the celebrate our connections, our history and
crops of tomorrow. For every seed variety, our people, but also to look to the future,
scientists are keenly aware it can take 10 and better position and communicate
to 12 years of rigorous testing before it’s the importance of the work we do,”
planted in a farmer’s field. says Pozniak.
Always keeping “an eye to the future” The CDC is a field crop research centre
is what Dr. Curtis Pozniak (PhD), the founded in 1971 under the Department
director of the CDC, credits to the success of Plant Sciences in the College of
of the CDC’s research and seed breeding Agriculture and Bioresources. The CDC is an
operations. Even while celebrating the integrated centre within the Department
major milestone year, Pozniak and his of Plant Sciences and works closely with
team are planning for the next half stakeholders and industry partners to
century and positioning the CDC as a develop profitable seed varieties that are
world-class research centre by launching particularly suited to withstand the harsh
a rebrand. prairie climate.
CDC durum wheat CDC peas
USASK CO L L E G E O F AG RI C U LT U RE A N D B I O RE S O U RC E S 12CROP DE VELOPMENT CENTRE L AUNCHING NE W LOOK TO CELEBR ATE A HALF CENTURY OF SUCCESS
At the CDC, scientists and field dwellers group because it's important that that their work has greater global impact,
technicians develop commercially people know what we do,” says Janssen. explains Pozniak. It also allows them to
successful and diverse varieties of bread “We create the seed varieties for farmers keep a balanced funding portfolio.
wheat, durum, barley, oats, flax, field around the world to grow into safe,
“It has always been and will remain
peas, lentils, chickpeas, canary seed and nutritious food.”
our strategy to work with a number of
dry beans. More recently, the CDC has
The research operations of the CDC are stakeholders from across the value chain.
expanded its activities and developed
diverse, from crop breeding, developing Each group has a very different perspective
new forage varieties to support a growing
disease and pest resistance into the seeds of the industry but when you actually
livestock sector. The centre has produced
they produce, deciphering the nutrition bring them together, the whole is greater
more than 500 seed varieties to date,
and user-quality of new varieties to than the sum of its parts,” says Pozniak.
which are sought out by producers across
genomic research of sequencing crop DNA.
the world.
Pozniak says that the CDC’s priority will
Researching crop improvement is only remain the profitability and sustainability
part of the CDC’s operations. Marissa of producers and the ag sector, which is “It has always been
Janssen is the manager of the CDC, and why CDC scientists work together with
much of what she does is handling the researchers at the College of Agriculture and will remain our
licencing agreements to sell seed to and Bioresources to implement sustainable strategy to work
producers. Janssen has been working with production systems.
Pozniak on the rebrand, which she hopes
with a number of
Moving into the future, Pozniak says
will bridge the research and the business
that supporting sustainable production
stakeholders
side to bolster the profile of the CDC.
systems through variety development from across the
“Overall, my goal is to raise awareness
of the work of the CDC, particularly during
will continue to be a priority, along with
consumer’s needs of nutritional quality
value chain.”
the 50th year, but also beyond that. We and the growing threat of extreme climate DR. CURTIS POZNIAK (PHD)
have so much to celebrate; our past, and weather.
our people and our future. It is timely to
“New varieties must meet the needs
highlight the excellent research that we
of growers and the agronomic systems The milestone marks a distinct new
do and to use our success to really build
they use to realize the potential of those phase in the research organization’s
more brand recognition,” says Janssen.
varieties. The strength of the CDC has been, history, in raising its profile and recognition
“We've done a great job and I think we can
and will continue to be, our collaborations as a world-class research centre that’s
continue on that … and really set the CDC
across an array of disciplines in the tackling the most pressing issues in food
up for another 50 years of success.”
Department of Plant Sciences, the college, security, health and sustainability.
The launch of the rebranding will take and the university. Things like research
“The CDC is a tremendously successful
place this fall. The rebrand includes a new into agronomy, digital agriculture, stress
organization, and I hope to see that the
CDC logo and the launch of a redesigned physiology—these are all really important
CDC becomes even more internationally
website and social media channels. to help CDC research develop resilient
recognized as a leader in crop research,
varieties for the future,” says Pozniak.
“We know who we are, and we are and really a household name across the
proud of our accomplishments. Our new The success of the CDC also comes from country,” says Janssen. “I think it absolutely
branding and communications strategy collaborating with partners with diverse can be, and that's what I hope for
will allow us to talk about our research in a perspectives across the value chain so the CDC.”
way that people understand and to bring it
more to life for people,” says Janssen.
According to a 2016 economic assessment,
for every dollar invested into the CDC it
results in a return of $12 to the economy.
The goal with rebranding is to raise its
profile as a research organization—one
that is a key contributor to the local,
regional, and national economy. It will be an
ongoing task to better communicate with
the public, especially to urban dwellers,
just how vital the CDC’s operations are to
food production in Canada.
“There are a lot of people that know
exactly what we do, but there are also many
that have little idea of the importance of
crop breeding and research. I think that is
one part of what we want to focus on in The new Crop Development Centre logo
the next few years—reaching the urban
13 AGKN OW LEDG E FA L L 2021Unlocking
the genetic
mysteries
behind
beef
Dr. Mika Asai-Coakwell (PhD)
shares her passion about
genetics.
JANE CAULFIELD
In the late 1990s and early 2000s,
thanks to several prime-time dramas,
getting a career in forensics went
through a bit of a revitalization. And
for Asai-Coakwell, who had just
completed an undergraduate degree
in biology and archaeology at the
University of Saskatchewan (USask),
the idea of using science to solve a
mystery was exciting.
Photography by Christina Weese
USASK CO L L E G E O F AG RI C U LT U RE A N D B I O RE S O U RC E S 14UNLOCKING THE GENETIC MYSTERIES BEHIND BEEF
Dr. Mika Asai-Coakwell (PhD)
“I wanted to gain experience working in a DNA lab after my From ocular genetics to bovine genetics
degree, so that’s when I approached the animal and poultry science
After completing her PhD at the Swiss Federal Institute of
department and talked to Dr. Sheila Schmutz,” she said. “I worked as Technology in Zurich, Switzerland, Asai-Coakwell returned to
a summer student and then as a grad student and thought I would Canada, landing in Edmonton with her husband who was stationed
go on and work for the RCMP or something similar.” as a pilot in the Royal Canadian Air Force. While there, she took on
Now an assistant professor in the Department of Animal and a post-doctoral fellowship at the University of Alberta, conducting
Poultry Science, Asai-Coakwell said that the work she did during research on ocular genetics. She said that while it may not be an
obvious jump from eyes to cows, it was a doorway towards her
her master’s degree on cattle genetics, also at USask, showed her a
current work in livestock genetics.
whole new world of mysteries to be solved.
“The group of genes that I was working on in ocular genetics
“When I started the research, I totally fell in love with that part is heavily involved in different aspects of livestock genetics. So,
of the work,” she said. “When you’re looking at genes, you’re still it just carries over as an overarching family of genes – it’s really
solving a puzzle. Maybe even one that you didn’t know was there. quite fascinating,” she said. “That’s really the beauty of DNA – it
That’s when the crime fighting dreams turned Photography
into dreams of Skalji
by Eric spans across species. If there’s a gene that’s really important in a
gene discovery.” developmental pathway, it will most often be the same gene across
15 AGKN OW LEDG E FA L L 2021UNLOCKING THE GENETIC MYSTERIES BEHIND BEEF
all mammalian species, if not across all vertebrates.” to see that our results can be implemented into a test that will
ultimately improve the industry.”
Currently, Asai-Coakwell is working on a couple of research
projects that seek to understand the genetics behind specific This kind of real-world application isn’t limited to Saskatchewan’s
traits of beef cattle and ultimately support producers. One project borders and can lead to long-term changes to the beef industry
examines variations in gestational length in cows. around the world.
“We want to identify the areas in the cattle genome that “We might not think of livestock genetics as having a global
are associated with that trait and understand what causes the impact, but part of my role is to demystify genetics. Livestock
differences,” she said. molecular genetics might sound scary, but what we’re really
talking about is breeding and selection,” she said. “This kind of
From a practical perspective, an extra-long gestational period
domestication of these kinds of animals is the hallmark of civilization
can lead to calves growing too big, causing birthing problems and
and what people have been doing for thousands of years. Breeding
higher cow/calf mortality rates. A gestational period that is too
and genetics just go hand-in-hand.”
short can lead to really weak offspring.
She said the difference between now and then is the technology.
“We hope that this work can directly benefit our producers in this
While historically, selection and breeding may have been done by
province,” she said. “We hope this new information can help them
certain visual or behavioural traits, scientists and producers alike
better plan and establish herds that rely on that perfect combination
can now dig a bit deeper to enhance their breeding programs.
between sire and cow that will lead to the establishment of healthy
gestation periods.” “The advancement with our technologies has given us the ability
to look at the molecular part of it – the genome. And connect a
Another project in the works sets out to discover and examine
specific part of the genome to a specific trait and select towards the
what genetic traits lead to overall efficiency of a cow.
desirable ones. That’s global because selection and domestication
“We want to know what genetic traits highlight how one cow is is found on every continent where there’s humans.”
much better than another – from how they forage to successfully
It might also be a way to ensure the industry can remain
birthing healthy calves every year,” she said. “What’s really
successful throughout changing and uncertain times.
interesting is that these cows can be on the same pasture and are
getting pregnant from the same sire every year. So, what’s causing “With this technology, we’ve been able to select at a faster
these differences?” rate. With increasing populations and the evidence behind a
changing climate, I think it’s more important than ever to really
She said this project is collaborative in nature, leading to
focus on the genes and the genomic regions that are going to
exceptional opportunities for researchers across the college to
allow us to produce livestock efficiently,” she said. “That’s relevant
work together.
in Saskatchewan, in Canada and globally. It’s going to play a huge
“When looking at efficiency, you can’t just look at genetics. There’s role in our food security because we are going to need to provide
nutrition, there’s physiology, there’s the environment, there’s the enough food in a safe, sustainable, and nutritious way that is also
gut microbiome, and there’s herd management – genetics is just a competitive and profitable.”
small part of it,” she said. “This means that we have to collaborate,
and that’s really exciting.” Teaching the next generation
Asai-Coakwell’s enthusiasm for genetics and her research is
For the love of research with impact infectious – something that makes her an exceptional educator
Asai-Coakwell said that while the work she does has academic within the College of Agriculture and Bioresources. And it’s another
implications, she finds a lot of reward in knowing that her research part of the job that she loves.
also has meaningful real-world applications.
“It’s so rewarding to see that next generation of scientists and
“Genetics for beef cattle is really relevant for Saskatchewan. We to train them. I’ve been really fortunate to have great graduate
have a lot of cow/calf producers across the province and that’s really students who are inquisitive, they’re enthusiastic, and they’re
where we need to have that research in that area,” she said. “Beef learning so much.”
cattle genetics and looking at the variations of the DNA associated
By working alongside grad students and other curious
with traits such as muscle and bone growth has economically
individuals, her natural (and infectious) excitement for science and
important implications.”
genetics continues to grow. It’s a trait she believes is necessary
Asai-Coakwell and her team looks to work with industry experts when teaching, especially when you’re teaching complex ideas and
and producers to help them understand their herds better, plan complicated scientific processes.
accordingly, and cultivate success.
“I want to ignite this passion for molecular genetics for my
“They see their animals every day, they know exactly what I am undergraduates,” she said. “Part of that is being able to show how
talking about. It’s not a huge step for them to go down and think passionate I am for science and how interested I am in trying
about how it’s working at a genetic level because they see it at the to answer these questions or creating new questions that we
whole animal level,” she said. “It’s very rewarding to have the ability can answer.”
USASK CO L L E G E O F AG RI C U LT U RE A N D B I O RE S O U RC E S 16For the
love of
plants
JANE CAULFIELD
Jackie Bantle brings “Just seeing things grow – planting
something in the spring and seeing it
“I really wanted to do something where
I was outside,” she said. “So, I grabbed the
passion to the role of through to harvest; I find that amazing,” she university calendar and saw horticulture
said. “I love just watching things grow.”
greenhouse manager. When she first attended the University
and was like ‘yeah!’ I mean, I liked being
with flowers and I liked being outside, so
The agricultural greenhouses on campus of Saskatchewan (USask), Bantle got her I applied.”
are where innovation (quite literally) degree in education feeling sure that she
was meant to become a high school music She said it was student summer work
grows and blooms. For greenhouse and
horticulture facility manager, Jackie Bantle, teacher – she loved everything about the opportunities and encouragement from
the greenhouses, the horticulture field lab, subject. But after a year and half of teaching professors that helped her find a groove
and all the green spaces she is responsible high school students, she realized that and cultivate a deep love for all things
for are joyful places as well. career journey didn’t fit quite right. horticulture.
Dr. Kate Congreves (PhD)
17 AGKN OW LEDG E FA L L 2021quit, she had been there for 10 years doing evident in the success of our greenhouses
potatoes. And I thought to myself that I and horticulture facilities,” said Dr. Angela
would never be at the university for 10 Bedard-Haughn (PhD), dean of the College
years. Now, it’s been almost 30 years. I’m a of Agriculture and Bioresources. “She is
long hauler, ”she said with a chuckle. one of the college’s 315 staff members –
In those 30 years, Bantle has worked in each one vital to the college’s mission to
a few areas, including vegetable research, advance the responsible use of land, water
accepting the role of greenhouse manager and bioresources to provide products and
more than 10 years ago. For her, the job services that enhance the quality of life for
remains exciting because things must the people of Saskatchewan and around
regularly adapt to meet changing needs of the world.”
the College of Agriculture and Bioresources
and its researchers.
“Things have really expanded since I “The hard work from
started,” she said. “Now, I’m managing the Jackie’s team and her
greenhouse and the horticulture field
lab as well as the Beamish Conservatory long-time commitment
in the Agriculture Building. As I’ve been to the college are
doing that job, there has been a lot more
opportunities that have come up.” evident in the success
Often, those opportunities are a way of our greenhouses and
for Bantle to represent the college and
its horticulture programming across the
horticulture facilities.”
province, including the Saskatchewan
DR. ANGELA BEDARD-HAUGHN (PHD)
Horticulture Association, The Gardener
Magazine, and the Saskatchewan
Greenhouse Growers Association. A department ahead of its time
“I also get to do a little bit of teaching 2021 marks 100 years of horticulture
and work with the Horticulture Club, which science at USask. Something Bantle said is
is what I really like – being around the a great honour to be a part of, considering
university students,” she said. many people don’t necessarily associate it
A day in the life with prairie farming.
A typical day includes running between “In some areas of the world, horticulture
the greenhouses and the horticulture field is big farming. But you can make a living
lab making sure that not only are things in horticulture on a small area of land. A
running smoothly, but that everyone 70-acre vegetable farm is a big farm,” she
has what they need to be successful in said. “But it is also part art – you are making
their research. spaces beautiful. So, it’s a wider field – part
“I really like to think that we are here to science and part art.”
Jackie Bantle in the Agriculture
support the research and that people have
Greenhouses. When considering how much money
what they need to get their research done.
Photography by Christina Weese people spend on landscaping, or how most
Ultimately help make the work a little bit
easier,” she said. small towns have a golf course to maintain,
it’s clear that horticulture in Saskatchewan
But, without missing a beat, Bantle has huge economic impact. This probably
quickly points out that it isn’t just a one-
is why it was one of the earliest areas of
woman show and success really comes
agriculture being taught at USask.
from the skills and abilities of the team
“At that time, all of us students got to working with her. “Horticulture has a really long history
work in a large group at the field lab doing
“I have excellent people working for me in the province,” she said. “Maybe because
different things – one week on fruit, one
– I’d be lost without them, and I am always of the amount of labour required for it
week on vegetables and switch around, so
very grateful for them. It’s not just me doing or our climate that we have, it doesn’t
it was a really great learning opportunity,”
she said. this,” she said. “We have a lot of fun at work always get the recognition it should.
and we’re always learning new things.” But it is an important part of agriculture
A lifelong passion That sense of teamwork and support is in Saskatchewan and what we do at
After graduating, Bantle landed a common throughout the college and is a the university.”
technician job working for one of her vital part towards its success. To learn more about 100 Years of
former professors. Horticulture webinars and history, visit
“The hard work from Jackie’s team and her
“I remember that when one technician long-time commitment to the college are gardening.usask.ca/hort100.
USASK CO L L E G E O F AG RI C U LT U RE A N D B I O RE S O U RC E S 18Finding solutions in unlikely places:
How Bishnu Acharya looks to
agricultural byproducts for inspiration
ASHLEIGH MATTERN
Dr. Bishnu Acharya (PhD) has use it to create a unique biomass-based material called cellulose
nanocrystals that industries like packaging, automotive and
a knack for finding unique aerospace could be interested in. His UPEI graduate student,
Matthew J. Dunlop, is looking to build that research into a company
for the commercialization of technology and products.
solutions to tough problems. Acharya started at USask in September 2020, and is already
Acharya’s research strategy is to look for ways to create value- involved in projects in Saskatchewan that mirrors the strategy he
added products and processes with sustainable resources. He works applied in P.E.I.
with bioresources to find sustainable solutions with commercial In one project, his research team is looking into the use of starch
potential, and develops the technology, opening up new business that’s a byproduct of pulse processing. The project is funded by the
opportunities. Government of Saskatchewan’s Strategic Research Initiative.
“Once you know the problem, you try to understand what the “There are processes set up to extract protein out of the pulse,
nature of the problem is and what potential solutions to it could be,” and after the protein is extracted, the starch is left. We have to find
said Acharya, who is an associate professor in the Department of some application for that starch,” he said.
Chemical and Biological Engineering for the College of Engineering
at the University of Saskatchewan (USask). In addition to his work Acharya’s goal is to see if the starch can be used in developing
as an associate professor, Acharya is the Saskatchewan Ministry of packaging foam materials. Much of the materials for packaging
Agriculture Research Chair in Bioprocess Engineering. used now come from petroleum sources; think of the materials
used in shipping to keep items safe, or the trays that meat and
One of Acharya’s goals is to replace petroleum-based products vegetables are packaged on in the grocery store. He wants to
with materials created from the byproducts of industrial and understand the process of creating those materials from starch and
agricultural processes. see how it can be developed in a more scalable way.
In agriculture, sustainable food production is a popular topic, Another project he’s involved in is looking at using the byproducts
and Acharya said most people think about that in terms of nutrient from the processing of wheat straw to produce cellulose pulp for
management, water management, and crop development. the pulp and paper industry. He thinks those byproducts may have
“My focus is on the other side—towards converting the huge the possibility of being used to make biochemicals and bioplastics.
amount of biomass that is left after the harvesting is complete, into Globally, there is a trend of moving away from single-use plastics,
a high-value product,” he said. “So basically looking at creating value and Acharya thinks there are many real-world applications for
out of waste.” his research.
Turning biomass into high-value products requires the magic of “In Europe, they already have different policies to ban single-use
engineering to develop new processes and technology. plastics. It is very likely that Canada and other parts of the world
will also be slowly adopting those policies,” he said. “When that
A strategy of discovery
happens, we will need an alternative product from biobased sources
Acharya came to his position at USask from the University of to replace those single-use plastics. … With that momentum, the
Prince Edward Island (UPEI). While working at UPEI, he and his process and technology and the products we’ll be developing in
team developed a process to harvest problematic tunicates and the research will be picked up by the industries.”
19 AGKN OW LEDG E FA L L 2021Dr. Bishnu Acharya (PhD)
Photography by Brett Makulowich
Making a difference in the world career—I think is very fascinating about this work. Seeing your
students carrying your vision forward and implementing them
Acharya said growing up in Nepal gave him a unique view of the provides great satisfaction.”
world and influenced his career path.
“Coming from Nepal, small developing countries do not have
much source of petroleum or other fossil fuels and have to import
most of the fossil fuels from neighbouring countries. In smaller
countries like Nepal, we have to be self-dependent.”
Agriculture is practiced around the world, and he was interested
in the idea of using the byproducts of agriculture to produce
energy and other valuable materials, allowing smaller countries to
be more independent.
Near the end of his bachelor’s degree at the Institute of
Engineering in Nepal, he took a course on bioenergy and
hydropower, sparking an interest in renewable energy. He
liked the idea of making a difference in the world in the face of
climate change.
He attended the Asian Institute of Technology in Thailand for his
master’s in energy technology and worked on renewable hydrogen
from biomass, focusing on fuel cells for power application. He
then did his PhD at Dalhousie University, continuing in that line
of research, developing the technology for hydrogen production
from biomass.
Following his PhD, he worked for the Halifax-based company An example of a byproduct: edible photonic cellulose
Greenfield Research Incorporated, giving him a chance to see his nanocrystals films with iridescent adjustable colours.
research from the industry perspective. Photography by Amin Babaeighazvini
“I was able to initiate a number of projects funded through other
industries,” he said. “It gave me an opportunity to learn how things He said the focus in the world has been shifting towards bio-
are done at the industry and community level.” based materials and chemicals that have less of an impact on the
Acharya loves connecting with industry and problem solving, environment, and much of the research happening in his field will
but he said what he loves most about his work is engaging with be realized in the next 10-15 years.
students and seeing their development. “I strongly feel the students today who are being trained in
“Talking to students, providing an equitable and inclusive this area will be the champions who will be leading this change,”
learning environment—and trying to help them grow in their Acharya said.
USASK CO L L E G E O F AG RI C U LT U RE A N D B I O RE S O U RC E S 20Graduate
student making
contributions to
improve the
poultry industry
Graduate student, Sameeha Jhetam
Photography by Jo Ann Chew
NYKOLE KING
Sameeha Jhetam’s love of “The agriculture industry is continually
trying to improve animal welfare in
“It wasn't what I expected to go into,
and when I started learning more about
animals is what attracted livestock and poultry production, and so research and research opportunities, it
I think that using research and science sparked my interest. I just really love the
her to animal welfare to improve welfare and wellbeing of birds research aspect of agriculture, and so I
research. She never and animals is really important,” said knew that that's where I wanted to stay,”
Jhetam. she said.
imagined that it would “We have to be able to feed the Jhetam began her master’s program in
lead to a PhD program or world, and by feeding the world, we also poultry welfare with Schwean-Lardner as
want animals to live good lives while her supervisor in 2018. Her research project
being a member on the doing so.” looked at the impact of stocking density
on the performance, health and welfare of
national youth council Although Jhetam doesn’t come from an
turkey hens.
agricultural background, she gravitated
for agriculture. towards animal bioscience during her She completed two trials, both of which
undergraduate program. After completing were 11 weeks in duration, where she
Jhetam, originally from Johannesburg, an honours thesis under the supervision monitored 3,550 turkey hens. Every day, she
South Africa, is a graduate student in of Dr. Karen Schwean-Lardner (PhD), an would check on the progress of the turkey
the Department of Animal and Poultry associate professor specializing in poultry Photography
hens by Jo Ann Chew
at the University of Saskatchewan’s
Science in the College of Agriculture and management and production, she knew (USask) Poultry Centre and record data of
Bioresources. She is passionate about using she wanted to stay in the college for both the physical condition of the birds as
her research to help producers. graduate studies. well as the behavioural conditions.
21 AGKN OW LEDG E FA L L 2021You can also read
