For more than two decades, Aaron Beattie has been a driving force behind some of Western Canada’s most prominent oat and barley varieties. Based at the University of Saskatchewan’s Crop Development Centre (CDC), Beattie continues to shape the future of Prairie cereals — work that increasingly impacts growers in Alberta.
U of S breeder hopes to improve heat tolerance to unlock crop’s yield gain
Dr. Ana Vargas (PhD) is bringing fresh energy and perspectives to the development of some of Saskatchewan’s most important pulse crops.
Wheat – a vital food crop that feeds billions of people worldwide – plays an important role in food security. Estimates place global wheat production at nearly 800 million tonnes this year, volumes that can be achieved, in large part, due to targeted breeding of high-yielding cultivars.
Fan Yang’s thesis research focused on protecting barley from a common plant disease.
Researchers are tapping into wild flax to help breed new, heat-tolerant varieties.
A unique collaboration at the University of Saskatchewan (USask) is showcasing how leading-edge research can make real-world impact.
CDC Albberg is an imidazolinone herbicide tolerant small red lentil with greater yield potential than the current market check variety.
University of Saskatchewan (USask) researcher Dr. Tom Warkentin (PhD) has been awarded the Canadian Pulse and Special Crops Trade Association (CPSC) Industry Appreciation Award for his significant contribution to Canada’s pulse and special crops industry.
The Canadian Barley Research Coalition (CBRC) announced today it will provide $1.8 million in funding over three years to the University of Saskatchewan’s (USask) Crop Development Centre (CDC), to extend the core breeding agreement and support the development of varieties with improved agronomics, disease resistance and end-use quality.
A researcher from the University of Saskatchewan’s Crop Development Centre has been awarded a Fellowship in the Canadian Society of Agronomy for his service to the agriculture industry in Canada.
SASKATOON – Dr. Valentyna Klymiuk (PhD) has been appointed as the Saskatchewan Wheat Development Commission (Sask Wheat) Applied Genomics and Pre-breeding Chair at the University of Saskatchewan (USask), supporting the development of productive, climate-smart crop varieties.
Driving $17.8 billion in farm output, the Crop Development Centre proves public research pays big dividends.
Dr. Pierre Hucl is an internationally recognized leader in plant breeding whose work has had a profound impact on food security and sustainable agriculture.
Yellow flowers could help scientists breed new varieties that cope with dry conditions
A new and yet-to-be named high-yielding oat variety was developed using traditional plant breeding methods
Bacteria, viruses and fungi are masters at evolving new strategies to infiltrate plants and cause disease that harm crops.
The University of Saskatchewan (USask) has received $11.8 million in funding for two new facilities that will provide critical workspace for crop and soil science research and teaching.
College of Agriculture and Bioresources researcher celebrates 30 years at the University of Saskatchewan (USask).
A researcher from the Crop Development Centre have been awarded the Distinguished Agrologist award for his outstanding service and worthy contributions to agriculture, bioresources, food and the environment.
In the heart of Canada’s agricultural research efforts, two significant projects are making strides toward solving critical challenges in modern farming. From combating destructive root rot in pulse crops to addressing the sustainability of crop rotations, researchers are exploring innovative solutions to ensure longevity in our agricultural future.
Amid the snow and the slush of frigid Saskatchewan winters, one place on the University of Saskatchewan (USask) campus always remains warm and green: the greenhouses.
A new oat line is making waves in the field, literally and figuratively. It delivers an impressive performance boost over current industry standards, as its creator showed in February at the Prairie Grain Development Committee (PGDC) meeting in Winnipeg.
The Saskatchewan Wheat Development Commission (Sask Wheat) has committed $6.5 million to support the establishment of the Saskatchewan Wheat Development Commission Applied Genomics and Pre-breeding Chair at the University of Saskatchewan (USask).
The Canadian Wheat Research Coalition (CWRC) has committed $11.8 million over the next five years to a core breeding agreement (CBA) with the University of Saskatchewan’s (USask) Crop Development Centre (CDC).
Twenty-three crop and cropland-focused research projects at the University of Saskatchewan (USask) have received $4.18 million in support from the provincial government through the Agriculture Development Fund (ADF).
Crop Development Centre brings choice and value to western Canadian producers.
CDC Austenson isn’t just a barley — it’s a legacy. Crowned Seed of the Year for 2025, this feed barley has become a cornerstone of Canadian agriculture, celebrated for its remarkable yield, straw strength and adaptability.
How crop rotation options offered by new climate-smart varieties will create economic and environmental gains.
CDC Tiznow, is the first Timothy grass variety released by the Crop Development Centre.
David Benallack takes CDC Research from Farm to Table
CDC Anson, is a milling oat variety released by the Crop Development Centre and named by its commercialization partner.
Marrisa Janssen is the Manager of USask's Crop Development Centre and one of Seed World United States Top 15 Management Mavericks in North America.
A glowing new assessment report of the Crop Development Centre (CDC) at the University of Saskatchewan highlights the centre’s tremendous economic impact, including thousands of jobs and billions of dollars for Canada.
Two researchers from the Crop Development Centre have been awarded Distinguished Agrologist awards for their outstanding service and worthy contributions to agriculture, bioresources, food and the environment.
Dr. Sabine Banniza (PhD), professor at the Crop Development Centre at the University of Saskatchewan and strategic research chair in pulse crop pathology, has spent over twenty years specializing in research on diseases in pulse crops. With a long-time passion for safe and sustainable food production, she’s made significant contributions to Canada’s status as the principal exporter of pulses.
Growing up on the Mongolian Plateau, Dr. Bill Biligetu (PhD) has seen first-hand the effect climate change can have on grasslands. As the Ministry of Agriculture Strategic Research Program (SRP) Chair in Forage Crop Breeding at the University of Saskatchewan (USask), Biligetu is breeding resilient forage varieties adapted for stressful environments.
SASKATOON – Root rot in pulse crops has grown to be a devastating issue for growers across Saskatchewan and Western Canada, so a team of University of Saskatchewan (USask) researchers and colleagues at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) and the National Research Council (NRC) led by Dr. Sabine Banniza (PhD) of USask’s Crop Development Centre (CDC) is comprehensively searching for ways to beat it.
Twenty-nine crop science projects from researchers at the University of Saskatchewan (USask) have received a total of close to $7.5 million from the Governments of Canada and Saskatchewan and more than $2.5 million in co-funding from industry partners.
Dr. Ana Vargas (PhD) has been appointed as the new lentil and faba bean breeder and an Agri-Food Innovation Fund Chair at the University of Saskatchewan (USask).
As Dr. Pierre Hucl (PhD) steps down as a Strategic Research Program (SRP) chair, he reflects on the evolution of wheat breeding in Canada and looks ahead to a bright future.
CDC Rowland is a large-seeded oilseed flax variety that’s been termed a “game changer” for western Canadian flax growers.
In January, the Crop Development Centre (CDC) at the University of Saskatchewan (USask) received news that their Core Operating funding from the Agriculture Development Fund (ADF) had been renewed.
CDC Lewochko, is a medium seed size, semi-leafless yellow field pea cultivar with a high seed protein content.
A blustery day grounded Alex Waldner’s planned demonstration flight — an occupational hazard for Saskatchewan drone pilots, she said — but the University of Saskatchewan master’s student waxed enthusiastic about the value of an eye in the sky for research and producers.
Dr. Pierre Hucl (PhD) has been named a 2023 Saskatchewan Order of Merit recipient in recognition of his remarkable contributions to crop development and research.
Krystalee Wiebe is optimistic that USask genetic research projects in wheat and durum will be vital in addressing future agricultural challenges.
Dr. Adam Carter (PhD) has been appointed as the new Strategic Research Program (SRP) Chair in Spring Wheat and Canaryseed Breeding and Genetics at the University of Saskatchewan (USask).
Farm productivity is subject to a complex web of conditions. On the economic side of the balance sheet, there are factors like supply chain woes, inflationary pressures and supply-and-demand imbalances.
CDC Endure, is a milling oat variety released in 2019 with a strong agronomic package that had the potential to “endure” for many years as a popular variety with growers and industry.
Ana’s unique history inspired her love of pulses, and the University of Saskatchewan (USask) provided the perfect place to turn her passion into meaningful impact.
CDC Vantta, a newly released Canadian Western Amber Durum (CWAD) wheat variety, is noticeably different. Released in 2021, CDC Vantta is a new CDC durum variety that is noticeably shorter and expresses long black-coloured awns from the spike.
February 11th marks the International Day of Women and Girls in Science (IDWGS) - an annual event that recognizes and celebrates the achievements of women in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
Researchers with the University of Saskatchewan (USask) forage breeding team are looking to provide growers with better methods for managing saline areas.
The University of Saskatchewan (USask) has been awarded $14 million through Saskatchewan’s Agriculture Development Fund (ADF), with $7.2 million of the funds allocated to operating the Crop Development Centre (CDC) for the next five years.
As a highly successful wheat breeder with the Crop Development Centre for almost two decades, Dr. Curtis Pozniak (PhD) was awarded a Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal (Saskatchewan) on December 14, 2022, marking the celebrations of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s 70th anniversary on the throne and honoring an individual’s significant contribution and achievement to Canada.
Adam Carter can pinpoint two specific moments in his young life that put him on track to pursuing a PhD in the wheat breeding program at the Crop Development Centre (CDC) at the University of Saskatchewan (USask).
A strong source of protein and fibre, peas are a staple in many diets and are appearing more frequently in products such as plant-based meat substitutes and bakery goods. University of Saskatchewan (USask) PhD student Loveleen Dhillon has dedicated her doctoral research to investigating how to improve nitrogen fixation to optimize pea crop yields in Canada.
Mackenzie Hladun is fascinated by the basic principles of how a host can defend itself from disease, whether it comes to animals, humans or plants.
Communicating research to the public is one of David MacTaggart’s strengths — and it’s a skill he’s honed during his master’s degree.
Plant pathology has been a fascinating topic of research for Matthew Wengler since the early years of his undergraduate program.
The history of the Crop Development Centre (CDC) is a celebration of plant breeding and how new varieties indelibly changed agriculture in Saskatchewan, and around the world. It is also the story of individuals connected through teaching, learning and mentorship. The experience of Dr. Bob Baker, Dr. Pierre Hucl and Dr. Curtis Pozniak is but one example of the best students and mentors creating the best next generation, not unlike plant breeding itself.
Shaoming Huang is using advanced sequencing technology to shorten the breeding cycle of field peas.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau paid tribute to the contributions the University of Saskatchewan (USask) has made to scientific discovery, as he wrapped up his visit to campus on Wednesday.
Professor Emeritus Rick Holm and previous director of the Crop Development Centre was officially inducted into the SK Agriculture Hall of Fame on Saturday April 9, 2022.
Two University of Saskatchewan (USask) projects have been awarded Natural Sciences and Engineering Council (NSERC) Alliance Grants totaling $885,000 for research aimed at developing novel technologies to improve productivity and profitability in the key agriculture and uranium sectors.
The University of Saskatchewan’s new flax breeder got to put forward his first flax line this year at the annual meeting of the Prairie Grain Development Committee (PGDC).
Dr. Bunyamin Tar’an has been recognized by Saskatchewan Pulse Growers for the significant contribution he has made to the development of Saskatchewan's pulse industry.
Saskatchewan experienced a widespread drought in 2021, with significantly lower yields across much of the province. With these challenges, it is important to keep an eye on the work researchers are conducting to develop crop varieties that can better tolerate adverse weather conditions to maintain yield and quality.
The 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.
SASKATOON – University of Saskatchewan (USask) researchers are part of a global team that used DNA to track the genetic evolution and migration of the chickpea, offering insights that could lead to more nutritious and adaptable varieties.
A new breed of field peas may lead to the development of an effective ‘food-first’ iron supplement.
A once popular high-protein legume crop with potential to make farming more environmentally sustainable is poised for reinvigorated popularity, thanks to an international research team, including plant geneticists from University of Saskatchewan (USask).
A scan across the horizon reveals how much Saskatchewan’s agricultural landscape has changed in half a century: millions of acres of ripening lentils, fields of sky blue flax, and stubble poking through snowy expanses, ready to receive springtime’s direct-seeded crop.
Tepary beans—a high protein legume common to the southwest United States and Mexico—may hold the key to adapting bean crops for the increasingly harsh conditions brought on by a changing climate, according to research led by University of Saskatchewan (USask) and Michigan State University.
An international team led by the IPK Leibniz Institute in Germany and including University of Saskatchewan (USask) researchers has succeeded in completely decoding the genome of rye, despite its large size and complexity.
Eighteen wide-ranging University of Saskatchewan (USask) crop research projects have been awarded a total of almost $5.8 million through Saskatchewan’s Agriculture Development Fund (ADF), a program jointly supported by the federal and provincial governments and supplemented by industry partners.
It’s hard to imagine what Saskatchewan’s pulse industry would be like today if the University of Saskatchewan’s Crop Development Centre (CDC) had never been created.
The year 2021 marks a major milestone for the University of Saskatchewan’s (USask) Crop Development Centre (CDC): 50 years of reshaping western Canadian agriculture.
Recognition of donor, Peter Lewochko.
