The Quarterly Newsletter of the Saskatchewan Institute of Agologists (SIA) � Volume 38 � Number 2 � May 2005

Dwarf SourCherry Production

in Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan�s Agrologists andAgricultural Technologists doextraordinary things every day . . .

Each day, SIA�s professional members contribute to theagriculture industry by leading in the teaching andpractice of the science and art of agriculture.Professional Agrologists and AgriculturalTechnologists adhere to the highest standards ofexcellence in the field and boast an impressive list ofprofessional awards, board appointments andrecognized public contributions.

SIA members are dedicated to serving the public andthe agriculture industry with the utmost integrity,competency and professionalism.

Be proud of who you are.

SASKATCHEWAN AGROLOGIST is a publication of:

The Saskatchewan Institute of Agrologists (SIA)29 - 1501 8th Street EastSaskatoon, Saskatchewan

CANADA S7H 5J6Tel: 306-242-2606Fax: 306-955-5561

Email: info@sia.sk.ca Website: www.sia.sk.ca

SIA 2005 - 2006 COUNCIL:

George Lewko, PAg, President, Tel: 929-4946George Pearson, PAg, Past-President, Tel: 653-7004Laurie Hayes, PAg, President-Elect, Tel: 953-2796

Sandra Shiels, PAg, Honorary Secretary, Tel: 584-9500Murray Purcell, Government Rep., Tel: 975-9666

Camile Baillargeon, PAg, Producer Rep., Tel: 441-9772Nevon Faucher, AT, AT Rep., Tel: 933-3511

Glen Hass, PAg, Partners in Agriculture Rep., Tel: 374-0207Don Saelhof, PAg, U of R Senate Rep., Tel: 737-2046Rod Delahey, PAg, U of S Senate Rep., Tel: 683-4255Glenn Barclay, PAg, Northwest Branch, Tel: 446-7650

Tara Kennedy, PAg, Melfort Branch, Tel: 764-6704Michael Champion, PAg, Regina Branch, Tel: 569-0424

Sandy Lauder, PAg, Regina Branch, Tel: 789-6997Clark Brenzil, PAg, Regina Branch, Tel: 787-4673

Gordon Engel, PAg, Saskatoon Branch, Tel: 664-7600Ron Kehrig, PAg, Saskatoon Branch, Tel: 975-1939

Kathleen Cameron, PAg, Saskatoon Branch, Tel: 373-5040Douglas Cameron, PAg, Southwest Branch, Tel: 773-1707

Ragay Boctor, PAg, Yorkton Branch, Tel: 783-4748Doug Matthies, Sask Ag and Food, Tel: 787-5170

Ernie Barber, PAg, U of S, College of Agriculture, Tel: 966-4050Bob Tyler, PAg, U of S, College of Agriculture, Tel: 966-4064

Bruce Hobin, PAg, Executive Director, Tel: 242-2606

SIA 2005 - 2006 BRANCH PRESIDENTS:

Melfort, Lanny Dewan, PAg, Tel: 953-5732Northwest, Sherrilyn Phelps, PAg, Tel: 446-7475Regina, Michael Champion, PAg, Tel: 569-0424

Saskatoon, Hugh Beckie, PAg, Tel: 956-7251Southwest, Aaron Fahselt, PAg, Tel: 297-2311

Yorkton, Kent Gress, PAg, Tel: 563-5177

ADVERTISING INFORMATION:

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Saskatoon, SaskatchewanCANADA S7L 6H2Tel: 306-933-4404Fax: 306-244-4497

Email: patty@agribiz.caWebsite: www.agribiz.ca

FEATURES

6 Opportunities for Dwarf Sour Cherry Production in SaskatchewanNew developments in the fastest growing sector of the fruit industry.

8 60 Years of AgrologySIA celebrates a 60-year milestone.

IN EVERY ISSUE

4 President�s MessageSIA�s recent activities.

5 Executive Director�s ReportChallenges for SIA members.

5 Calendar of EventsCan�t miss happenings.

7 Status Changes of SIA MembersSIA membership updates.

11 College of Agriculture ReportThe 21st Annual Plant Science Graduate Student Symposium.

12 Agrologists in the NewsPAgs make the headlines.

HIGHLIGHTS

4 SIA Sponsors Five Student Affiliates to WAAC Meeting in Colorado

8 Laurie hayes, MSc, PAg, New President Elect of SIA9 AGEX Award Goes to the Crop

Development Center10 Crop Business Section, Crop Development Branch13 In Memoriam: Lorne Caswell Paul, PhD, PAg14 2005 Honorary Life Memberships

Volume 38 � Number 1 � February 2005

4 | T H E S A S K ATC H E W A N A G R O LO G I S T

Welcome to the 60th year of theSaskatchewan Institute of Agrologists. OurInstitute will be celebrating this significantmilestone in a number of ways this year. I thinkyou will agree it�s been an impressive accom-plishment protecting �the public by ensuring itsmembers are qualified and competent to pro-vide knowledge and advice on agriculture andrelated areas� (from the SIA Mission State-ment) for this length of time. As an Agrologist,I�m very proud of what we�ve accomplishedand what we will be able to contribute in thefuture.

Council will have three main areas to focusits attention on this year.1. We need to raise the profile of the SIA,

Agrologists and Agricultural Technologists.To do this, there will be a promotional cam-paign to celebrate our 60th year. Promotingour new Professional Agrologists and Agri-cultural Technologists will become morestandard across Saskatchewan.

2. I�m proposing more contact and discussion

with potential new members such as thoseattending the College of Agriculture andthose who are eligible for membership.

3. Council needs to work with the Branches to implement more Professional Developmentopportunities.

I believe Professional Development is acornerstone of our knowledge base. The Pro-fessional Development requirements for Agrol-ogists and Agricultural Technologists have nowchanged. At the 2005 Annual Meeting inPrince Albert, it was voted to change our PDrequirements to 150 hours over a three periodinstead of 50 hours over one year. I think this isa good change. It permits members who havetrouble fulfilling their requirements in one yearto catch up in the subsequent years. However,don�t expect to put off your PD obligations untilthat third year.

Exactly how this change will be implement-ed will be discussed at the next Council meet-ing in May. I expect that there will be a mini-mum number of hours in any one year and allmembers will still be part of the random auditevery year, but now that audit will cover the lastthree years. Within the next few months you

should be able to update your ProfessionalDevelopment file yourself on the web.

I have noticed that Agricultural Institute ofCanada and Ontario Institute of Agrologistshave developed an online �Professionalismand Ethics� course. Check it out atwww.oia.on.ca/professional-ccourses.aspx. Inresponse to inquiries from various Branches,there will most likely be a half day seminaravailable to starting in the fall of 2005 onEthics. This is not intended to replace the Arti-cling Agrologists� event, but a forum for dis-cussion regarding ethics associated with thepractise of agrology and other professions.

I would like to see the continuation of theBranches working together to share the costsassociated with higher quality ProfessionalDevelopment Events thereby bringing thesepowerful presentations to more members.

I�m hoping to see more interaction betweenSIA Council and our Branches and it is myintention to get to every branch for a functionor meeting this coming year.

SIA is poised to take a professional leader-ship role in the future of science-based agricul-ture. Are you ready to help us take up thatchallenge? !

I N S T I T U T E C O L U M N

President�sMessage . . .

by George Lewko PAg

SIA President

SIA Sponsors Five Student Affiliates toWAAC Meeting in Colorado

SIA Council provided financial support to help sponsor five of its student affiliates in the Col-lege of Agriculture to attend the World Association of Agriculture Councils (WAAC) Conferenceat Colorado State University in Fort Collins, CO March 14-20, 2005. The five students attend-ing were Kelly Baillargeon, Apryl Barr, Brynn McLeod-Jones, Sonya Meier and Michelle Propp.In all, the University of Saskatchewan sent 12 students to the event.

The purpose of the conference is to provide the opportunity to meet other agricultural stu-dents from all across North America. The event also enabled the students to obtain a broaderperspective about the agriculture industry worldwide. Sessions offered this year included topicson the livestock and equine industries, horticulture, agronomy and other worthwhile topics. Thestudents got to tour many sites including the massive Budweiser Brewery, the Celestial Season-ings Tea Factory, Colorado State�s Research Farm, the Colorado State Veterinary Clinic, Agri-ProWheat, the National Center for Genetic Resources Preservation, the Equine OrthopedicResearch Center, Nutri-Turf and the Lazy J Bar S Ranch.

The SIA is pleased that it was able to assist these five student affiliates participate in this veryeducational and worthwhile experience.

� Nathan Gregg, AAg� Mitchell Japp, AAg� Aaron White, AAg� Dave Fuller, AAg� Daniel Hutton, AAg� Jodey Allen, AAg� Michael Carr, AAg� Terra Fazakas, AAg� Michael Steckler, AAg� Chantal Stumborg,

AAg� Paul Jungnitsch, AAg� Carol Luca, AAg� Shelagh Torrie, AAg� Corrinne Harris, AAg� Kevin Farden, AAg

� Karmen Kyle, AAg� Mark Kuchuran, AAg� Brad White, AAg� Trevor McMorris, AAg� Mike Tyhy, AAT

Congratulations to those whosuccessfully completed theProfessionalism and Ethics Seminaron March 19, 2005:

T H E S A S K ATC H E W A N A G R O LO G I S T | 5

Bruce Hobin PAg

SIA Executive Director

As the Saskatchewan Institute of Agrologists enters its 60th yearas a profession, one cannot help but think of the various chal-lenges the organization has faced over this period of time and howthey were overcome. The biggest challenge of all was likely to havethe practice of agrology recognizedas a profession by the public andother traditional professionalgroups and deemed worthy oflegislative status and that anagrologist deserved the right tobe considered a professional.

As the Executive Directorand Registrar, I would like toissue to you a series of your ownpersonal challenges during thismilestone year. I thought that aneven 60 would have beenappropriate in keeping with thisspecial year but then I reconsid-ered and settled for a dozen. Sohere they are:

� Challenge you to promote the profession of agrology whenever you have the opportunity

� Challenge you to place AAg, PAg, AT or AAT on your business card

� Challenge you to call yourself an Agrologist or Agricultural Technologist when introducing yourself

� Challenge you to attend branch meetings and activities� Challenge you to attend the annual meeting and conference� Challenge you to run for leadership positions either at the

branch level or for provincial council� Challenge you to monitor situations whereby if you find non

agrologists practising agrology, bring it to the attention of the SIA.

� Challenge you to meet the requirements of your own Professional Development

� Challenge you to demonstrate a high standard of professionalism and professional conduct at all times and to adhere to the code of ethics

� Challenge you to read the Agrologist when you receive the current issue

� Challenge you to pay your SIA membership fees on time� Challenge you to keep the SIA informed of changes to your

employment, address and contact information !

I N S T I T U T E C O L U M N

The ExecutiveDirector�s Report

Calendar of EventsJune 66-77 Forage Technical Update 2005, Swift Current

(306) 752-5086 or (306) 966-2148

June 88-99 Forage Technical Update 2005, North Battleford (306) 752-5086 or (306) 966-2148

June 113-114 Forage Technical Update 2005, Yorkton (306) 752-5086 or (306) 966-2148

June 115-116 Forage Technical Update 2005, Redvers (306) 752-5086 or (306) 966-2148

June 115-117 Western Canada Farm Progress Show, Exhibition Park, Regina (306) 781-9345

June 115-118 Plant Canada 2005, Edmonton ABhttp://plantcanada2005.ca

July 224-227 2005 International Master Gardener Conference, University of Saskatchewan (306) 966-5546

July 224-228 Canadian Society of Animal Science Meeting,Cincinnati OH (with the American Dairy Science Association) www.csas.net

July 331 Saskatchewan Agricultural Hall of Fame Induction, Western Development Museum, Saskatoon

August 113-114 The Prairie Cherry Festival, Bruno (306) 369-2824

August 228-331 Plant Genomics Conference, Sheraton Cavalier, Saskatoon, (306) 966-5592

Sept 220-223 2005 CropLife Canada Conference and AGM, Niagara Falls ON www.croplife.ca

Oct 225-226 Stewardship, Economics and Decision Support NationalConference on Livestock and the Environment, Radisson Hotel, Saskatoon (306) 787-9183

Nov 66-99 Identifying Strategies to Support Sustainable Agriculture in Canada, AIC Annual Meeting and Conference, Quebec City, QC www.aic.ca/conferences/index.cfm

C O V E R S T O R Y

Opportunities forDwarf Sour CherryProduction in Saskatchewan

It may be surprising to some that sour cher-ry breeding and research began in the 1940�swhen Les Kerr and his breeding program wastransferred to the University of Saskatchewan inthe 1980�s. Fruit breeding takes a least adecade between generations, so improvementin both hardiness and fruit quality have taken awhile to achieve. Working with the MongolianCherry and flavourful varieties from northernEurope, the U of S breeding has developed the�new� dwarf sour cherries.

Advantages oof tthe NNew CCherriesThe quality of the new varieties of our dwarf

sour cherries surpasses what is commonlyfound in North American products. Most of ournew varieties are so sweet that the word �sour�does a disservice to the name. In our breedingprogram we have deliberately selected forflavour and for darker almost black cherries incontrast to the established sour cherry marketwhich uses bright red cherries that are rather

sour. Why; because we

want to be most competitive in the fastest grow-ing segments of the fruit industry. Red Cherriesare traditionally used for pie filling, which hashad a flat growth trend for 20 years. On theother hand, the juice, dried fruit and healthfood markets have been showing steady gains.For these emerging markets, a dark colour isan advantage for highly coloured juice andbeing rich in anti-oxidants and anthocyanins.Speaking as a baby boomer with an expandingmidsection, I can assure you that I plan to bebuying more healthy foods in the future, and Iam sure this is the trend for all the babyboomers.

Most people don�t even realize that theyhave eaten sour cherries, probably becausethey are used in processing. In the UnitedStates they call them tart cherries but in Cana-da they are referred to as sour cherries. In factmany sour cherries are sweeter than the sweetcherries, but because they have higher acidcontent, they taste more sour. A lot of that acidis vitamin C!

Besides flavour, our cherries are dwarfenough in stature to be harvested with an over-the-row harvester. Traditional sour cherriesrequire large specialized equipment that

shakes the trunks of trees. InSaskatchewan, we also have

the advantage of rela-tively few pests and

dry summerconditions

that don o t

promote disease or fruit rots. Therefore, it isquite possible that the cherries could be raisedpesticide free, or at least with far less pesticideuse than our competition. When you considerthat our land costs are much cheaper per acrethan other fruit growing regions, it seems weshould have distinct economic advantages.

Production CChallengesIn other growing regions, insects and dis-

eases are the most pressing production prob-lems. In Saskatchewan these are relativelyunimportant except for grasshoppers. The mostlikely problems include keeping out deer andother animals that might chew the twigs in win-ter, the need for a good water supply for irri-gation and the establishment of windbreaks.

Although grown successfully for a decadeby a handful of growers, these cherries are to adegree �experimental� especially for thoseunfamiliar with fruit production practices. Wedo not yet know the northern limits for theirgrowth. It is also a rather big change to gofrom growing field crops orchard establish-ment. To help with this transition, I and my col-league Linda Matthews produced a growersmanual Dwarf Sour Cherries: A Guide to Com-mercial Production that was published by Uni-versity Extension Press. If you have never grownfruit before it would be a good idea to acquirethe manual, start small and increase acreageas you be more successful.

Marketing cchallengesIn a 2003 survey of North American cherry

processors by Saskatchewan Agriculture andFood, it was found that primary processors ofcherries were pessimistic of the future. Howev-er, the secondary processors were highly opti-mistic. To me, this indicates that Saskatchewangrowers should work together to develop theirown products in order to reap the full benefits.Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food and evenAgriculture and Agri-Food Canada have anumber of programs aimed at value-addedproduction and marketing. It is hoped thatactivities of this sort may help to stabilize ruralcommunities by providing more jobs.

�Sour� is hardly the word for the new deliciously sweet varieties of dwarf cherries. From juice to pies,Saskatchewan is ramping up it�s competitive edge in one of the fastest growing segments of the fruit industry.

by Bob Bors PAg

6 | T H E S A S K ATC H E W A N A G R O LO G I S T

T H E S A S K ATC H E W A N A G R O LO G I S T | 7

While the various candies, pie fillings and sugar coated cere-al products are big business and hard to break into, the healthfood industry is relatively smaller and there is opportunity to getin on the ground floor. If I were to get together a group of grow-ers on a cherry project, I would certainly want to have someonein that group who is passionate about healthy food and quality tolead promotion.

Allured by higher prices, many sour cherry growers in BritishColumbia, Ontario, Washington State and Michigan have beenremoving their sour cherry orchards and replanting to grapes forwine production and sweet cherries. Only a handful of growershave a different strategy where they plan to grow tastier sourcherries and develop better quality products.

I advise you to look at your grocery store shelves and lookfor cherry products. Look on the labels for artificial flavours andthe country of origin. I think you will find few products from Cana-da and half will be artificial. My favourite �knock off� is the cher-ry-flavoured dried cranberries. When you see the huge number ofcranberry products on the market, ask yourself if a cherry would-n�t be better. Look at other fruits, particularly in the frozen foodsection, and see if cherries are there. I�ve tried sour cherry wineand it is fantastic! You probably won�t find any in the liquor store.I think you will be convinced that there are not enough cherriesin the marketplace.

DiversityIf you accept the idea of producing cherry products, it is only

a small step to realize that Saskatchewan probably should diver-sify into other fruit crops. With any crop there is always a risk. Iget alarmed when someone asks �What crop should I grow?�and even more alarmed when someone wants to grow only onevariety of one fruit crop. To grow only one crop or variety israther risky. A better question would be �What crops would begood to grow together?� A diversity of crops helps to make everyyear a good year. Two thousand was a good year for strawber-ries and cherries, but a disaster for saskatoons. The followingyear (2001) was a disaster for strawberries, good for cherries, buta bumper crop for saskatoons. Diversity also spreads the cost ofequipment, labour and facilities. A creative solution would be tohave many different crops or some other business that couldemploy workers over a longer period.

Mechanically harvested crops that would fit well together areblue honeysuckles, saskatoons, dwarf sour cherries, and raspber-ries. These four crops could be harvested with the same over-the-row harvester and could utilize the some of the same cleaningand cooling equipment. Except for some overlap between thecherries and raspberries, the above crops have different harvesttimes, which would be especially good for producing a series ofproducts. They can be used in similar products. Pruning for bluehoneysuckles, saskatoons, and dwarf sour cherries would be verysimilar and easier to teach employees.

ConclusionsNew crops are both exciting and risky. Since cherries have

been around for hundreds of years in Europe and decades in theUnited States, there is much knowledge already out there, grow-ers just need to learn the details of growing them on the prairies.With dwarf sour cherries we are starting with a high quality cropthat makes it easier to market them. If we put our sights on cre-ating high quality cherry products, we will be in a better positionto capture their potential in the marketplace. !

Bob Bors, PhD, PAg is Assistant Professor of Plant Sciences in theCollege of Agriculture at the University of Saskatchewan and is incharge of the fruit breeding program.

AAg tto PPAg� Bryan Briggs, PAg� Kari Burnett, PAg� Scott Kopelchuk, PAg� Etienne Soulodre, PAg� Deanna Hill, PAg� Janelle Lamoureaux, PAg� Robyn Morley, PAg� Mark Lauder, PAg� Krista Connick, PAg

New AAAg� Allen Altwasser, AAg� Damon Brandt, AAg� Joanne Kowalski, AAg� Mark Kuchuran, AAg� Patrick Mooleki, AAg� Brian Rugg, AAg� Kyla Shea, AAg� Nicole Baillargeon, AAg� Daniel Hawkins, AAg� Wilson Johnston, AAg� Leslie McKenzie, AAg� Jennifer Bromm, AAg� Andre Bonneau, AAg� Lynette Keyowski, AAg� Lyle Forden, AAg� Amy Arthur, AAg� Rajamohan Chandirasekaran, AAg

New AAAT� James Ludwig, AAT

Transfer IIn - PPAg� Candace Mitschke, PAg� Regan Martens, PAg

Transfer IIn - AAAg� Jennifer Deeks, AAg� Michelle Friday, AAg

Reinstatement� Patricia Meyers, PAg� Linden Lundback, PAg� Eugene Korol, PAg� Lori Gasper, PAg

Leave oof AAbsence - PPAg� Amy Keely-Hill� Gade Reddy� Blaine Possberg� Lionel Redden� James Pollock� Stephen Gibbard� James Dynes� Brock Minogue� Leah Filson� Stephanie Forseille� Jeffrey Hodgson

� Sidney Griffin� Garry Noble� Theodore Boychuck� Barry Tamke� Brett Sittler� Richard Thibault

Leave oof AAbsence - AAAg� Laird Wightman� Andrew Pantel� Christopher Hawkins� Penny Howells

Leave oof AAbsence - AAT� Trina Meier� Mateyenu Chint

Leave oof AAbsence - RRT� D.G. Layne Hetland

Resigned - PPAg� Howard Duncan� Elayna Bowie� Gary Kruger

Resigned - AAT� Neil Wasmuth� Devin Pendree

Retired - PPAgEmigdio BallenasHugh RothWesley Kehler

Transfer OOut� David Johnson, PAg � AIA � Doug Thiessen, PAg � AIA� Wesley Gordon, PAg RT � OIA� Pagette Newton, PAg - AIA

Removed ffrom RRegister - PPAg� D. Keith Bater� Leslie Pilsner� Nancy Gray� Kathleen Martin� A. Hamid Javed� Jamie Tudor� Kevin Dow

Removed ffrom RRegister - AAAg� Kent Hall� Katrina Martfeld� Tyler Krauss

Removed ffrom RRegister - AAT� W. Russell Dickie

Removed ffrom RRegister - AAAT� Kelly LaBrash

Status Changes of SIA Members as of March 31, 2005

6600

8 | T H E S A S K ATC H E W A N A G R O LO G I S T

60 Years of AgrologyThe SIA marked its 60th year during its annual general meeting and conference, held April 6 to 8in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. Over the course of three days, agricultural professionals gathered together to share ideas, tell stories, receive awards and learn about the latest industry developments.

Shown to the right:1. Agrologists enjoying a break at the SIA conference. Pictured left

to right, Grant Wood, PAg, Ken Turner, PAg, Ken Rosaasen, PAg, and Bruce Hobin, PAg.

2. Agrologists and Agricultural Technologists listen attentively to one of the presentations on Friday morning.

3. George Pearson, PAg, outgoing SIA president, pictured right,passes on the President�s Gavel to incoming president George Lewko, PAg, shown left.

4. Rick Holm, PAg, pictured left, director of the Crop Development Centre (CDC), accepts the 2005 Agriculture Excellence Award from George Pearson, PAg, on behalf of the CDC.

5. Friday morning panelists answer queries from the audience. Shown left to right, Al Scholz, PAg, Ken Rosaasen, PAg, and Red Williams, PAg.

6. Honorary life members Marguerite and Edward Beauchesne of Albertville receive their certificate from SIA president George Pearson, PAg, pictured right.

7. The 60th annual meeting anniversary cake, served at the SIA annual meeting on Thursday afternoon.

8. Agrologists and Articling Argologists enjoying some networking time at the Wednesday evening reception.

9. Glen Hass, PAg, asks a question of the Friday morning panel.10. New SIA president, George Lewko, PAg, shown left, presents outgoing

president George Pearson, PAg, with a plaque recognizing his leadership during 2005-2005.

M E E T T H E S I A C O U N C I L . . .Laurie Hayes, MSc PAg,New President-Elect of SIA

At the 60th annualgeneral meeting of theSaskatchewan Institute ofAgrologists, Ms LaurieHayes, PAg was acclaimedto the position of Presi-dent-Elect for 2005-06.Laurie has been involvedin agriculture throughouther private and profession-al life. She has been amember of the SIA since 1989 and was serving as the SIA Councillor for the MelfortBranch when she was nominated for the position of President-Elect this past February.

Laurie was raised on a beef ranch in southwestern Saskatchewan. She pursued her BSA and MSc degrees in ani-mal science from the University of Saskatchewan and has worked extensively in the livestock industry in all three prairieprovinces. Currently, Laurie manages a crop and forage-based applied research / demonstration farm (ConservationLearning Centre) just south of Prince Albert that incorporates environmentally-conscious soil, water and wildlife conser-vation management practices. She credits this diversity throughout her career with giving her the opportunity to viewagriculture from many different perspectives.

As President-Elect, Laurie will be Chair of the SIA�s Admission Committee and will assume the role of President ofthe SIA at the annual meeting in Yorkton in April 2006. !

F E A T U R E P I C T O R I A L

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AGEX Award Goes to the CropDevelopment Centre

The SIA presented the Crop Development Cen-tre at the University of Saskatchewan with the 2005Agriculture Excellence Award (AGEX). The AGEX ispresented to organizations, agencies or agri-busi-ness in recognition of outstanding contributions toagriculture by providing professional services ofprofessional agrologists and agricultural technolo-gists.

Crop DDevelopment CCentreThe Saskatchewan Institute of Agrologists is

pleased to award the Agricultural Award of Excel-lence to the Crop Development Centre at the Uni-versity of Saskatchewan.

The Crop Development Centre is a unit of theDepartment of Plant Sciences in the College of Agri-culture. It was established in 1971 through jointfunding of the National Research Council of Cana-da, the Saskatchewan Department of Agricultureand the University of Saskatchewan with a mandateto increase crop diversification opportunities forproducers, to improve the adaptation of existingcrops and to become a centre of excellence for cropresearch.

To fulfill its mandate, the CDC maintains orassists breeding programs in wheat, barley, oats,lentils, dry beans, chickpeas, flax and several otherfield crops. The Centre has also intensified itsresearch into programs aimed at increasing cropresistance to biotic and abiotic stresses, improvingthe demand for crop products and providing newinformation on crop production systems. In additionto the highly successful plant breeding programs,the Centre has strong core programs in pulsepathology, stress physiology, weed studies and cropquality.

To ensure excellence in achieving its mandate,the Centre employs Professional Agrologists to workclosely with producers, commodity organizationsand all levels of government. The important rolethese agrologists have played has often been rec-ognized. Five have received Fellowships from theAgricultural Institute of Canada, four have receivedDistinguished Agrologists awards from theSaskatchewan Institute of Agrologists and othershave received many recognition awards from sever-al commodity groups and scientific societies.

The Saskatchewan Institute of Agrologists ispleased to recognize the Crop Development Centrefor its commitment to excellence. !

Shown here, in photo #4, Rick Holm, PAg, onthe left, director of the Crop DevelopmentCentre (CDC), accepts the 2005 AgricultureExcellence Award from George Pearson,PAg, on behalf of the CDC.

F E A T U R E A R T I C L E

Crop Business Section, CropDevelopment Branch

1 0 | T H E S A S K ATC H E W A N A G R O LO G I S T

The Crop Business Section began as theExtension Research Unit (ERU) located on theUniversity of Saskatchewan campus. The ERUwas established on August 1, 1993 as a newpartnership between the College of Agriculture,University of Saskatchewan and theSaskatchewan Department of Agriculture andFood (SAF). The goal was to develop a partner-ship to the mutual advantage of both the Uni-versity of Saskatchewan and Saskatchewan Agri-culture and Food focusing on: technology devel-opment and transfer, electronic communicationof information and human resource develop-ment. This joint venture was a commitment tofarm and industry clients and to the developmentof a commercially viable, self sufficient and sus-tainable agriculture and food industry.

There is a history of cooperation betweenthe two agencies as the provincial departmentrelies on the University for meeting the researchand education needs and the provinceassumed the primary role of field based exten-sion. This initiative strengthened the partner-ship which continues to evolve to this day with

the focus of SAF on development while assist-ing the University with their outreach andengagement mandate. This is facilitated byregional staff located at nine regional SAFdevelopment offices having a direct link to theoffice located at the University.

In 1993 four SAF Agrologists wereassigned to work at the College to facilitaterapid transfer of scientific research and newtechnologies developed on campus toSaskatchewan farmers. The delivery of thisinformation occurred through the department�sExtension Services Branch. New mechanismsand new ideas for information transfer weredeveloped including information managementand electronic access to information.

The objectives were to:� Identify, establish and utilize transfer mecha-

nisms to serve as a conduit for new technol-ogy and research information to field staff.Subject areas would change over time (eg.,soils, crops, livestock, value-added process-ing, etc.)

� Develop an effective field intelligence and feedback system regarding priorities for tech-nology development

� Provide leadership in Extension to facilitate theintroduction of information technologies as atool for information management and delivery.

� Provide an on-site linkage between SAF sys-tems and campus computer technology. Thiswould assist in development of jointapproaches in developing and accessingdatabases and establish direct electroniccommunication between College/Universityand SAF staff. Essentially this introduced elec-tronic technologies as a tool for informationmanagement and delivery.

On May 1, 2004 SAF announced the cre-ation of nine new Agriculture Business Centres:This marked the beginning of a new era for theprovincial government�s direction in agricul-ture. The department has refocused its opera-tions to better support agricultural develop-ment in Saskatchewan. New agribusinessdevelopment consultants will work closely withexisting crop, livestock and forage agrologiststo help individuals and communities captureopportunities for agriculturally-based econom-ic development. As a result, the ERU wasrenamed as the Crop Business Section of the

Crop Development Branch and is evolvingtowards a focus on technology transfer to fos-ter value added and business development inthe province.

The current staff profile is as follows:� Larry Gutek, P.Ag. Manager, Crop Business

Section, College of Agriculture� Brian Sim P.Ag.- Business Development

Specialist, College of Agriculture� Susan Aubin- Administration, College of

Agriculture� Jody McConnell P.Ag.- Crop Development

Specialist, Saskatoon � Elaine Moats P.Ag.- Crop Development

Specialist, (Weyburn)� Zane Lewchuk P.Ag.- Crop Development

Specialist, Yorkton� Ed Tanner P.Ag.- Crop Development

Specialist, Tisdale� Tom Boyle P.Ag. - Crop Development

Specialist, Prince Albert� Sherrilyn Phelps P.Ag.- Crop Development

Specialist, North Battleford� Joe Novak P.Ag. - Crop Development

Specialist, Regina� Swift current, currently being filled� Outlook-currently being filled

The Crop Business Unit, Crop Develop-ment Branch SAF is focusing on business devel-opment as part of the provincial AgricultureManufacturing Framework. The Unit is workingwith the College of Agriculture and other Uni-versity partners to focus on Crop BusinessDevelopment in cooperation with the nineRegional Agriculture Business Centres. Thepartnership with the University will assist inmeeting engagement and outreach targets forthe University. Interaction continues to growbeyond the College of Agriculture with projectsinvolving Chemistry, Medicine and Commerceas well as the Plant Biotech Institute, Agricultureand Agri-Food Canada, plus numerous part-ners at Innovation Place. Staff are engagedwith the College and the Food Centre on sev-eral projects focused on developing new prod-ucts and industries in the province.

The Unit will continue to manage the Agri-culture Applied Research Management (Agri-ARM) program which has provided quality-applied research and demonstration with pro-

by Larry Gutek PAg

The program isdesigned to assistSaskatchewanAgriculture and Food inmeeting goals focusedon developing athriving,environmentallysustainable anddiversified agriculturalindustry working withstrong resourcefulagricultural people.

T H E S A S K ATC H E W A N A G R O LO G I S T | 1 1

fessional eservices to address emerging crop andlivestock needs. The program is designed to assistSaskatchewan Agriculture and Food in meeting goalsfocused on developing a thriving, environmentallysustainable and diversified agricultural industry work-ing with strong resourceful agricultural people. TheAgri-ARM program consists of a network of eight siteslocated across the province coordinated by SAF�sCrop Development Branch located at the College ofAgriculture. Each site has the necessary infrastructureto carry out quality research and demonstrationincluding a manager responsible for technical issuesand an affiliated regional Crop Development Spe-cialist to support development activities. Projects maybe applied research in cooperation with industry andUniversity, in which replicated experiments are used tovalidate or evaluate, or they may be demonstrationsof potential business opportunities or new technologyand practices. Outputs of the Agri-ARM program areknowledge, business incubation, technology transferand information products/events.

In addition to applied research and demonstra-tion, a business incubation component has been intro-duced. Project specific funding will be allocated tosites that are fostering new opportunities in agriculturerelated business. The strawberry crown project formarkets in California is an example of research fund-ed by the province and developed at the College ofAgriculture. The Agri-ARM network will be developingthe critical mass for a successful business and evalu-ate the potential for Saskatchewan agri-preneurs.

So what does the future hold for this unit? Thefive-point government of Saskatchewan, Action Planfor Economic Development cites �building on ournatural strengths� as its first strategy for growth andacknowledges agriculture as a key �natural strength�for the province. The agriculture development out-comes that the provincial government is seekinginclude �maximum profitability in the agricultureindustry� which can in part be achieved by supportingpartnerships which facilitate regional agriculturalbusiness development.

As of May 1, 2004, SAF has refocused its opera-tions to better support agricultural development inSaskatchewan. New agribusiness development con-sultants will work closely with existing crop, livestockand forage agrologists to help individuals and com-munities capture opportunities for agriculturally-based economic development. The linkage with ourUniversity partners will be essential to support thedevelopment agenda as it did in the past with thefocus on production agriculutre.

Producers, entrepreneurs and communities canaccess department specialists through the AgricultureBusiness Centres located in North Battleford, PrinceAlbert, Saskatoon, Tisdale, Yorkton, Regina, Wey-burn, Outlook and Swift Current.The Agriculture Busi-ness Centres� business plan will guide the implemen-tation of programs and services designed to �captureopportunities for agriculturally-based economicdevelopment.� !

Larry Gutek, PhD, PAg is Manager of the Crop Busi-ness Section and is located in the College of Agricul-ture at the University of Saskatchewan.

O N T H E E D U C A T I O N F R O N T

21st Annual Plant Science Graduate Student Symposium Hosted by the University of Saskatchewan

March 11-12by Giselle Camm, PAg

In early March, fifty-four graduate students converged at the University ofSaskatchewan to participate in the 21st Annual Plant Science Graduate Student Symposiumin Saskatoon. Fourteen students from North Dakota State University and sixteen from theUniversity of Manitoba traveled to Saskatoon to present their research to their peers andwith the hope of capturing top honors for their work. Twenty-four University ofSaskatchewan graduate students also presenting, warmly welcomed the visitors. The geo-graphical area covered these students was reflected in the diversity of plant science topicspresented. The subject matter ranged from developing cold tolerance in maize, screeningfor disease resistance in potato, to weed control options in onion. Talks ranged frommolecular aspects such as �Molecular Mapping of Fusarium Head Blight Resistance Genesin Wheat� to more tangible aspects such as the �Effects of Burning of Plant CommunityComposition in a Fescue Prairie�. Cash prizes were awarded to first and second place win-ners in four categories: Agronomy, Physiology and Ecology, Plant Breeding and Genetics,and Plant Protection. Winners included:

� Agronomy: 1st place - Degi Chuluunbaatar (U of S) �Timing of spring treatment for dandelion control�; 2nd place tied - Alison Burton (U of S) �Optimum growth conditions for the selection of dual-purpose flax in the CDC Breeding Program� & Lisa Dahl (NDSU) �Alfalfa response to Tribenuron�

� Physiology and Ecology:1st place - Mark Belmonte (U of M) �Glutathione improves shoot apical meristem quality during white spruce (Picea glauca) somatic embryogenesis�; 2nd place - Ashley Linden (U of M) �An investigation into the mechanism of young shoot bending in a clone of Populus tremuloides exhibiting �crooked� architecture with a comparison to wild-type trees�

� Plant Breeding and Genetics: 1st place - Nirmala Sharma (U of S) �Physiological and molecular characterization of cold acclimation response in Thlaspi arvense�; 2nd place tied - John Davies (NDSU) �Evaluation of marker based selection for high grain protein content in spring wheat� & Derek Law (U of M) �HBK2: A homeobox gene with potential for producing high quality somatic embryos in spruce�

� Plant Protection: 1st place - Jeremy Klassen (U of M) �Genetic resistance of canola to Fusarium wilt�; 2nd place - Jibe Fen (U of S) Non-specific esterase is essential for pathogenicity of Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici on wheat�

In addition to sharing research, the Symposium also provided the opportunity to raisethe profile of plant research at the University of Saskatchewan and recruit future graduatestudents. Saskatoon was showcased with tours of the Canadian Light Source�s Synchro-tron, the Phytotron Controlled Growth Facilities, and Agriculture and Agrifood CanadaResearch Station, Plant Gene Resources Canada. More on the fun side, the students alsoenjoyed the unique opportunity to tour inside a hog operation at the Pork InterpretiveGallery, Prairie Swine Centre near Elstow.

The planning committee wishes to thank the Saskatchewan Institute of Agrologists,whose financial support was fundamental in enabling us to host such an important event.This Symposium has celebrated over twenty years of student exchange and fellowship andremains a success through incredible industry involvement. Thank you to the SIA and toall our sponsors for making this year�s event memorable.

Giselle Camm, PAg is an MSc candidate in Plant Sciences at the University ofSaskatchewan.

College of Agriculture Report

The SIA presented John Gruszka, PAg,John Hemstad, PAg and Gordon Hultgreen,PAg with the Distinguished Agrologist Award.This award is presented to Professional Agrolo-gists in recognition of their own outstandingaccomplishments provincially and nationally.

The SIA�s Recognition Award was presentedto Rick Koller, PAg. The award is given to aProfessional Agrologist who has made an out-standing contribution to the betterment of theSIA.

John MMichael GGruszka, PPAgJohn Gruszka, PAg was born in Ontario.

He received his BSc in Biology from the Uni-versity of Waterloo and a MSc in Entomologyand Apiculture from the University of Manito-ba.

John came to Saskatchewan in 1978 asthe Assistant Provincial Apiculturist forSaskatchewan Agriculture. In 1979 hebecame the Provincial Apiculturist. In this role,he is involved in ongoing extension services,training � technical and scientific on beekeep-ing innovation and honey markets toSaskatchewan�s beekeepers. John has repre-sented Saskatchewan at national and interna-tional beekeeping forums where policy andguidelines for the industry are established.

For his work in the honey industry, John hasbeen given the Award of Merit by theSaskatchewan Beekeeping Association for hisoutstanding service to the industry. The Cana-dian Honey Council presented him with theFred Rathje Memorial Award in 2000 and hereceived the Award of Excellence from API-MONDIA in 1999 for an outstanding confer-ence presentation.

John has been involved in numerousorganizations in the Prince Albert area. He hasserved on the Melfort Branch Executive andassisted with the planning of both the 1993and 2005 SIA Annual Meeting.

Because of his untiring efforts on behalf ofthe bee and honey industry in Saskatchewan,the Saskatchewan Institute of Agrologists ispleased to present John Gruszka, PAg with theDistinguished Agrologist Award.

John FFranklin HHemstad, PPAgJohn Hemstad, PAg has served the agricul-

tural community of Saskatchewan as an advi-sor, analyst, and developer throughout his 40plus years as an active agrologist. Followinghis graduating with a BSA degree in 1963,John became the Agricultural Representativefor the Saskatchewan Department of Agricul-ture at Rosetown. He returned to the Universi-ty of Saskatchewan and obtained his MSc inAgricultural Economics in 1969. He becamethe Farm Management Specialist for theSaskatchewan Department of Agriculture fornorth-east Saskatchewan and served as anadvisor to rural farmers and communities on awide range of topics related to agriculturaleconomic matters.

From 1976-1978, John was the MarketingDirector for Pender Seeds Ltd, Meath Park, SK.During 1978 to 1984, He was an analyst andadvisor to the Saskatchewan Indian AgricultureProgram which had a mandate to developagriculture on Indian Reserves inSaskatchewan. He developed comprehensivetraining programs for prospective new farmersand those seeking a career in agriculture. Dur-ing this time, John also assessed the potential

for a northern Saskatchewan agriculturaldevelopment strategy and identified the wildrice enterprise as a potential new enterprise forthe North.

Under his leadership, wild rice productionexpanded rapidly, a processing plant was con-structed in 1983, and a marketing companyowned by the Saskatchewan Indian AgricultureProgram Inc. called Grey Owl Marketing Ltd.was incorporated in 1984. As the GeneralManager, John developed a marketing strategyinvolving a food distribution system whichencompassed Canada, United States andWestern Europe.

He has served on the executive of numerousorganizations throughout his career. He servedon the Board of Directors of Plains Poultry Ltd.,a poultry processing plant at Wynyard; Chair-man and Board Member of Wascana Institute,Agricultural Division, Regina SK; Chairman andBoard Member of the Saskatchewan Wild RiceCouncil; Member of a non-political public atlarge advisory committee to Premier GrantDevine; President and Board Member of theInternational Wild Rice Association; Board ofDirector of the Saskatchewan Native EconomicDevelopment Corp.; and Chairman and BoardMember of the Saskatchewan Food IndustryDevelopment Centre.

He has also served as an agricultural advi-sor and consultant to lenders, farm groups andindividuals on a broad range of agriculturaltopics.

John also operates his own 1450 acregrain farm operation in the Birch Hills district.

The Saskatchewan Institute of Agrologists ispleased to present John Hemstad, PAg with theDistinguished Agrologist Award.

I N D U S T R Y N E W S

Agrologists in the NewsThe SIA Honours Four of its Best at the 2005 Annual Conference

1 2 | T H E S A S K ATC H E W A N A G R O LO G I S T

John Gruszka, PAg John Hemstad, PAg Gordon Hultgreen, PAg Richard Koller, PAg

T H E S A S K ATC H E W A N A G R O LO G I S T | 1 3

Gordon EEdward HHultgreen, PPAgGordon Hultgreen, PAg, comes from a farm background and

received a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Mechanics and aMSc in Crop Science from the University of Saskatchewan. Hebegan his career with the Saskatchewan Wheat Pool, whichincluded working in the farm supply business as a field agrologistat the Saskatchewan Wheat Pool Research farm in Watrous.

He joined the Prairie Agricultural Machinery Institute (PAMI) in1991 as Manager of the Soils and Crops Area. His major inter-est and area of research has been in direct seeding including theagronomic effects of row spacing, on-row packing, fertilizerplacement, and the development of the Direct Seeding Manual.Gordon has also worked extensively in swine manure research,specifically with soil injection methods and how to optimize swinemanure as a fertilizer. He has become a leading authority onmanure management in cropping systems on the prairies.

Gordon Hultgreen has had an incredible education journey,from his Ag Diploma in 1968 to his Masters in Crop Science in1990. Since then he has been a prolific writer and researcher inthe area of direct seeding. He was the author of the Fall Rye ref-erence manual in 1992, and the co-author of the Direct Seedingmanual in 1993, 1995, and 1999. His research has includedthe effect of seed placed nitrogen on emergence and yield ofcanola, wheat and barley. All of this activity has been extremelyimportant for soil conservation practices. In recognition of thisthe Saskatchewan Soil Conservation Association awarded himthe Award of Merit in 2004.

He has been a part of a minimum-till development project inMongolia, a leader in soils and crops training seminars forequipment dealers, and part of a research team evaluating theeffect of mid-row banding and side banding on the agronomicperformance of wheat, canola and flax. Gordon�s commitmentto combining sound economic practices with environmental landstewardship has gained him respect from producers, environ-mentalists and policy makers.

The Saskatchewan Institute of Agrologists is pleased to pres-ent a Distinguished Agrologist award to Gordon Hultgreen, PAg.

Richard VValentine KKoller, PPAgRick Koller, PAg was born on a ranch in Southwestern

Saskatchewan. This early association with agriculture has beena strong influence on Rick over his entire career as a Profession-al Agrologist. Rick graduated from the College of Agriculturewith a BSA degree specializing in agriculture economics. Heimmediately joined the Saskatchewan Department of Agricultureand worked in the area of farm credit and financial manage-ment. After a long career with government, Rick left to establishhis consulting firm, Koller Agri-Food Development. This has pro-vided many opportunities to work with several emerging agri-food businesses throughout Western Canada.

Rick has also maintained a strong interest in theSaskatchewan Institute of Agrologists. He has served as a branchcouncilor, SIA president and on the board of the AgriculturalInstitute of Canada. Rich was responsible for instigating the Agri-culture Excellence Award which was established to recognizethose agencies, organizations and business�s that ensure excel-lence by employing Agrologists and Agricultural Technologists.

Rick also served on many committees and task groups bothwith the SIA and AIC. He coordinated the study on wages andbenefits relating to the employment of agrologists. He was alsoinvolved with the first review of the professional developmentreporting process as required by the Agrologists Act.

It is for this long standing commitment and service that theSaskatchewan Institute of Agrologists is recognizing Rick Koller,PAg by presenting him with a Recognition Award. !

In Memoriam:Lorne Caswell Paul, PhD, PAg(Life Member) 1904 � 2004 SIA Charter Member

Lorne Caswell Paul was born on October 27, 1904 in Prince Albert, thenpart of Canada�s Northwest Territories. He died in Saskatoon on December16, 2004, at the age of 100 years.

Lorne Paul had a long and distinguished association with the Universityof Saskatchewan, which began as a student in the late 1920s and flourishedthrough a 28 year career as a Professor of Extension.

From 1924 to 1926, Lorne taught school in one-room country schools.In the twelve subsequent years, he completed three university degrees:� BSc (Honours) in Biology from the University of Saskatchewan in 1930� MSc in Entomology from the University of Saskatchewan in 1932 � PhD from Iowa State University in 1938

After completing his PhD, Lorne returned to Saskatoon and took up aposition with the Science Service of the Federal Department of Agriculture.From 1944 through 1972, Lorne served as a professor of Extension. His owncareer spanned a period of dramatic change in the province ofSaskatchewan and in the practice of extension at the University ofSaskatchewan. Lorne�s work saw him travel many, many miles over graveland dirt roads to organize and deliver meetings, short courses, demonstra-tions, and farm camps for young people. In the early years, some of theseuniversity-organized events would have taken place in halls lit by kerosenelanterns and heated by wood stoves.

Lorne published numerous articles and papers on topics related to ento-mology and extension. The international scope of his scholarly work is indi-cated by the fact that his publications were translated, at different times, intoseven different languages. Following his retirement from the University ofSaskatchewan, he published a book with the title: Extension at the Universi-ty of Saskatchewan, 1910-70: A History.

Lorne Paul was a firm believer in professional commitment and he was aCharter Member of the Saskatchewan Institute of Agrologists in 1946. Evenafter his retirement from the University of Saskatchewan, Lorne could be seenattending Saskatoon Branch meetings into his nineties. He was a Life Mem-ber of the Institute.

The following is a quote made by Lorne Paul in 1965 as President of theCanadian Society of Rural Extension. It truly demonstrated his vision as aneducator. �I contend that the only true aim of education is to develop personscapable of thinking. If we do not develop thinking persons with imagination,wisdom, insight, and the power of analysis, but concentrate on preparingonly for jobs and for obtaining new knowledge, then our future is indeed introuble.�

Edited from a tribute prepared by Dr. Scott McLean, Professor and Associate

Chart 1. Payment of2005 SIA Fees, bymonth.

1 4 | T H E S A S K ATC H E W A N A G R O LO G I S T

At this year�s annual meeting, the SIAbestowed Honorary Life Memberships on afarm couple from Albertville, a leader in theSaskatchewan beef industry and the formerDirector of the PFRA here in Saskatchewan.

Honorary Life Memberships are given tothose who are non-members of the SIA whohave made outstanding contributions toSaskatchewan Agriculture. This year�s recipi-ents were Edward and Marguerite Beauchesne,Brad Wildeman and Harry Hill.

Edward aand MMarguerite BBeauchesneEdward and Marguerite Beauchesne reside

at Albertville, Saskatchewan. Besides farming,Ed has worked for the Department of NaturalResources and the Prince Albert Pulp and PaperMill. Marguerite has worked for the PrinceAlbert Health District as a nurse and in thehome care system.

The Beauchesne�s have been strongly com-mitted to the soil conservation ethic. TheBeauchesne farm was involved in showcasingplots demonstrating direct seeding through theSave Our Soils program in the late 1980�s. Edhas been a Director of the Saskatchewan SoilConservation Association, Director and Chairof the Board of the Conservation LearningCentre, member of the North East AgricultureResearch Foundation and member of theNorthern Forage Marketing Club.

Both Ed and Marguerite have been active-ly involved in their community. Ed has servedas a member of the Board of the AlbertvilleCredit Union. He has been involved in othercommunity boards and has coached hockey atthe pee wee, bantam and senior levels. Mar-guerite has served on the local and districtschool boards.

The Beauchesne�s received the Soil Con-servation Plaque from the District 32 ADDBoard; the Farm Family Award � Royal BankSoil Conservation Award, and the Best Envi-ronmental Management Practices from the SoilCouncil of Canada.

Ed and Marguerite were one of the firstpioneers of the direct seeding movementbeginning with the Save Our Soils Program.They have been strong advocates of soil con-servation practices. Because of their commit-ment to improving farming practices inSaskatchewan, the Saskatchewan Institute of

Agrologists is pleased to present Edward andMarguerite Beauchesne with Honorary LifeMemberships.

Bradley AAllan WWildemanBrad Wildeman is President of Pound-

Maker Adventures Ltd., a 30,000 one-timecapacity beef finishing operation, and a 13million litre ethanol facility located near Lani-gan, Saskatchewan.

Brad currently serves as a Director of theCanadian Cattlemen�s Association; and servesas Chairman of the Foreign Trade Committee;and as a member of the Animal Health andMeat Inspection Committee, as well as a Can-Fax committee member. He is currently servingon the CCA�s BSE Issues Committee, as well asthe Saskatchewan BSE Advisory Committee tothe Minister of Agriculture and Food. He isalso a member of the Federal Beef Roundtable.

Brad is the immediate Past Chairman of theCanadian Cattle Identification Agency, imme-diate Past Chairman of the Veterinary InfectiousDiseases Association and is on the ExecutiveCommittee of the Action Committee on theRural Economy in Saskatchewan (ACRE). He isalso a Past President of the Saskatchewan Cat-tle Feeders Association and member of theBoard of Directors of the Saskatchewan Stock-growers Association.

Because of his work on behalf of agricul-ture in Saskatchewan, Brad has received theCanada 125 Governor General�s Award, theSaskatchewan Chamber of Commerce�Agribusiness Leader of the Year Award� in2002, and the Saskatchewan Cattle FeedersAssociation �Cattle Feeder of the Year� awardin 2004.

Brad, along with his wife, Cheri, lives onthe Pound-Maker site. They have three chil-dren, all working or attending the University ofSaskatchewan.

The Saskatchewan Institute of Agrologists ispleased to present Brad Wildeman with anHonourary Life Membership.

Dr. HHarry MM. HHillDr. Harry Hill was born in Armley,

Saskatchewan and educated in Aylsham. Hereceived a BSc in Agriculture Engineering fromthe University of Saskatchewan, a MSc inHydraulics from the U of S and a PhD from

Oxford. After an early career as an Engineer-ing Professor at the University of Waterloo,Harry joined the Prairie Farm RehabilitationAdministration as the Director General in1977.

In this position, which he held until 1995,Harry brought a level of enthusiasm and com-mitment to improving Prairie agriculture andthe rural landscape. He had a good under-standing of the problems associated withdegradation of soil and water resources on thePrairies and supported the need for appliedresearch, education and strategic investmentsin this area. Dr. Hill used his considerablemanagement skills and knowledge to reshapePFRA to better meet the needs of rural clientsin a period of profound change. Under hisleadership, PFRA�s policies and programschanged to support soil conservation andwater development across the prairie land-scape.

In 1993, Dr. Hill received the LieutenantGovernor�s Medal of the Institute of PublicAdministration of Canada in Saskatchewan.The award recognizes individuals and workteams who have demonstrated distinguishedleadership in public administration inSaskatchewan.

After Harry retired, he became deeplyinvolved in humanitarian service as a memberof the Rotary Club of Saskatoon. He and hiswife, Lorraine, have three children and Harryand Lorraine recently moved to Nanaimo,BC.

The Saskatchewan Institute of Agrologists ispleased to present Dr. Harry Hill with an Hon-ourary Life Membership. !

S I A M I L E S T O N E S

2005 Honorary Life Memberships

Shown above on the left, Marquerite andEdward Beauchesne. Pictured right,Bradley Wildeman.

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