Celebrating 50 years of crop research and development in Saskatchewan
The Crop Development Centre looks back at 50 years of crop researching, development and breeding
Written by Cally Nicholl
Most notable crop varieties the CDC created
Harrington Barley CDC Copeland Barley Laird Lentils CDC Vimy Flax Eston Lentils CDC Teal Wheat
“When the CDC started, its focus was on crop diversification to add diversity to the western Canadian production landscape and economy.”
- Dr. Curtis Pozniak, Director of the Crop Development Centre
For half a century, the Crop Development Centre (CDC) at the University of Saskatoon has been a leader in the research of agronomics, disease resistance and end-use performances of crops around the world. “When the CDC started, its focus was on crop diversification to add diversity to the western Canadian production landscape and economy,” Director of the Crop Development Centre, Dr. Curtis Pozniak said. “The mandate of the CDC was to expand the crops available to producers while improving existing crops all with the aim to expand the cropping portfolios that were available to producers to really maximize productivity.” The Centre was established in 1971, and in half a century, it has released more than 500 crop varieties in over 40 kinds of crops. The research and plant breeding at the CDC has significantly contributed to the western Canadian agricultural industry. The research Centre said its work is an important part of sustainable crop production practices and food security. “The CDC has had a tremendous impact, and many of our varieties have become industry standards - Harrington barley, Vimy Flax and CDC Teal spring wheat, just to name a few. By the late 1980’s Laird lentil was the most widely grown lentil variety in the world and was the foundation of a multi-billion-dollar pulse industry in western Canada,” Pozniak said. “That speaks to the importance of the work that we're doing. When varieties do become significant, it really changes how we think about an industry and best to move forward.” *Along with plant breeding, the CDC research supports the agronomics, disease resistance, and end-use performances of many crops. The progressive and forward-thinking research at the CDC has gained the attention of others in similar fields. “In the last ten years, many of our scientists have become recognized internationally as world leaders. For example, many of our researchers are experts in genomic research and the application of that genomic technology to support plant breeding activities,” Pozniak said. “The CDC is really an excellent example of how we work with a range of stakeholders to not only solve problems for western Canadian producers through variety development but also developing the tools and technologies that breeders use to be as efficient as possible.”
For every $1 invested in CDC research, there is a $12 return to producers
Dr. Curtis Pozniak, Professor and Director of the Crop Development Centre. Photo by Christina Weese
Improved the agronomics, disease resistance, and end-use performances of:
- Spring wheat - Durum - Canary seed - Barley - Oat - Flax - Pea - Lentil - Chickpea - Dry bean - Fababean - Soybean - Forage crops
Research Officer Dr. Gene Arganosa operates the NIR machine. Photo by Christina Weese.
CDC has released more than 500 crop varieties in 50 years
The CDC is an integrated unit within the Department of Plant Science in the College of Agriculture at the University of Saskatchewan. Around 250 people work at the Department and Centre and contribute to various roles such as faculty, technical teams, post-doctoral fellows, and graduate students. Pozniak said it’s essential for the CDC to be part of the University as it naturally facilitates collaboration among researchers and stakeholders. “We can take advantage of the linkages of many scientific disciplines – for example, agronomy, physiology, genomics, end-use quality and pathology, and tie that science directly to our breeding programs. This keeps us on the cutting edge and ensures the research that's being developed is translated into varieties,” Pozniak said. “Collaborations are very important to us, as is our connection to the College of Agriculture. There is great science that's being done in other departments, and we can interconnect our activities with those various groups and complement our own expertise.” Pozniak was appointed to the role of Director in 2020 and has been part of the CDC for nearly 20 years. He started as a graduate student in 1999 researching spring wheat. Once Pozniak finished his Ph.D., he was hired at the Centre. Pozniak grew up on a farm near Rama, Saskatchewan, where his parents and brother still farm. “I have close connections to the farm, and I think that's important because it provides me with a unique perspective and a realization that we must continue to develop productive varieties that are in demand by Western Canadian producers,” Pozniak said. “Coming from a farm, I can appreciate the significant challenges that producers face, and it does guide my research.” As agriculture changes with improved technology and ever-changing weather conditions and events, Pozniak said it’s important for the CDC to adapt to those changes, and its research considers all variables. “Most of the research that we do is focused on improving varieties for production locally, in our environment here,” Pozniak said. “The western Canadian environment is a challenging one. Cold in the winter, heat and drought in the summer and a relatively short growing season.”
“Coming from a farm, I can appreciate the significant challenges that producers face, and it does guide my research.”
- Dr. Curtis Pozniak, Director of the Crop Development Centre
Plants growing in the Controlled Environment Facility. Photo by Christina Weese.
The CDC has had a very busy 50 years, developing more than 500 crop varieties and world-leading research in plant breeding. The facility is excited for the innovation it will bring to the agricultural industry over the next 50 years. “We will continue developing new varieties of existing and emerging crops that fit the production systems of western Canadian producers, we will maintain our connections with stakeholders and industry, and we will find creative ways to improve productivity while making our existing crops more valuable,” Pozniak said. “We are a predominantly export market and making the products that we produce more valuable to our international customers is certainly important. We must always keep an eye on changes in the environment, evolving pests and pathogens, new market opportunities, and develop robust research programs that can tackle those challenges, well ahead of them being a significant problem.”
“We will find creative ways to improve productivity while making our existing crops more valuable.”
- Dr. Curtis Pozniak, Director of the Crop Development Centre
