CDC Lewochko was developed by Dr. Tom Warkentin (PhD), the field pea and soybean breeder in the College of Agriculture and Bioresources’ (AgBio) Crop Development Centre (CDC) at the University of Saskatchewan (USask).
CDC Lewochko is a high yielding, mid-maturing pea cultivar that expresses strong stem strength and resistance to powdery mildew, a disease of pea that can cause significant yield losses. It has an improved package of seed characteristics including smooth, round seeds, with bright colour and strong resistance to seed coat breakage. Breeder seed of CDC Lewochko was released to Saskatchewan Pulse Growers for commercialization in 2018 and is currently widely grown by farmers in Western Canada.
When naming the variety, Dr. Warkentin worked with the College of AgBio Development Office and chose to recognize a local Saskatchewan farmer whose substantial gift and generous bequest to AgBio provides financial support to students. Mr. Peter Lewochko was a lifelong farmer in Saskatchewan who had a hunger for knowledge, but was not able to attend university. In 2013, the Peter Lewochko Fund was established to provide annual scholarships to students pursuing post-secondary education in agriculture, education or engineering. Mr. Lewochko believed that financial barriers should not limit opportunity for a student’s higher education.
More information about CDC Lewochko is available through Saskatchewan Pulse Growers
More information about Mr. Peter Lewochko and his gift to the college can be found on our website.