U of S Crop Development Centre researcher honored

Posted July 29, 2003


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - July 29TH, 2003 2003-07-06-AG

U of S Crop Development Centre researcher honored

University of Saskatchewan agriculture professor Dr. Gordon Rowland is the
new recipient of the W.J. White Professorship in the Department of Plant
Sciences. He will occupy the chair for a three-year term.

The Professorship will allow Rowland to further his work in developing
improved flax varieties for industrial and edible oil uses, fibre production
and organic production systems. As holder of the chair, he will receive a
research grant of $15,000 per year.

Rick Holm director of the Crop Development Centre said: "Rowland is
well-deserving of the chair. He was selected for his excellent track record
in research, flax variety development and for his contributions to Canadian
and Saskatchewan agriculture."

"It is very gratifying to be named to the chair as the selection was made by
colleagues," said Rowaland. "The award will allow me to pursue research
which I hope will further enhance Saskatchewan's leadership in Canadian and
World flax production"

As a research scientist and professor with the Crop Development Centre since
1972, Rowland has released 15 flax and 4 fababean varieties. Among some of
his releases are Vimy, which continues to act as the standard by which all
other flax varieties are compared. His latest release, CDC Bethune, has
replaced Vimy as the most dominant flax variety in Western Canada.

In addition to his excellence in research, Rowland's administrative and
extension activities have established him as a leader in the Agricultural
community. From 1994 to1999, he was the first internal scientist to act as
Director of the Crop Development Centre. His leadership helped continue to
maintain the Crop Development Centre as a Center of Excellence in plant
breeding and related crop research.

Rowland has been extremely active in technology transfer and his expertise
has resulted in several invitations to speak at international conferences to
present his knowledge of flax breeding.

He has previously been honored with several awards including the
Saskatchewan Institute of Agrologists Distinguished Agrologist Award, the
Hewlett-Packared Corporate Higher Education Award, honorary life memberships
in the Saskatchewan Seed Growers Association and the Canadian Seed Growers
Association and the Ag-West Biotech Distinguished Scientist Award.

The W.J. White Professorship was established in 1986 to honor William James
White, former Head of the Department of Field Husbandry (now the Department
of Plant Sciences) and Dean Emeritus of the College of Agriculture. The
Professorship enables the holder to further his or her own studies in plant
sciences. Selection guidelines are based on excellence in research and
contributions to Canadian and Saskatchewan agriculture. Full professors of
the Department of Plant Sciences/Crop Development Centre (CDC) are eligible
for the appointment.

Rowland succeeds Dr. Brian Rossnagel, a non-malting barley and oat breeder,
at the Crop Development Centre.

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For more information, please contact:

Geoff Hughes
Head, Department of Plant Sciences
University of Saskatchewan
Tel: (306) 966-5855
Email: geoff.hughes@usask.ca

Rick Holm
Director, Crop Development Centre
University of Saskatchewan
Tel: (306) 966-5855
Email: rick.holm@usask.ca

Gordon Rowland
Professor, Crop Development Centre
Department of Plant Sciences
University of Saskatchewan
Tel: (306) 966-4977
Email: gordon.rowland@usask.ca

http://www.usask.ca/agriculture/plantsci