June 29, 2004
CFI Invests $138,693 to Support Two New U of S Researchers
Posted June 29, 2004
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Tuesday, June 29th, 2004 2004-06-19-OTHER
CFI Invests $138,693 to Support Two New U of S Researchers
Two University of Saskatchewan researchers have received $138,693 from the
Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) towards the purchase of cutting-edge
infrastructure for research projects that will enhance research into
age-related illness and underground greenhouse gas storage.
"This CFI funding will equip two of our new researchers with the tools they
need to do cutting-edge research that addresses global health and energy
resource challenges," said U of S Vice-President Research Steven Franklin.
Along with this new money from the CFI New Opportunities Fund which is
designed to help launch the careers of new and talented faculty members, U
of S becomes eligible for an additional $41,608 from the CFI Infrastructure
Operating Fund which contributes to operating and maintenance costs
associated with CFI projects.
The two projects are:
- Chris Hawkes (civil engineering) -- $74,800 towards the purchase of a rock
compression system that will measure the strength and fluid transport
properties of rock samples at pressures and temperatures similar to
conditions several thousand metres beneath the Earth's surface.
Once installed in the U of S Rock Mechanics Laboratory, this equipment will
spur the development of technology that promotes economic and
environmentally friendly production and consumption of fossil fuels. It will
be used to identify drilling fluids that can be used to drill stable wells
through soft or weak shale formations that overlay most oil and gas
reservoirs, and to evaluate rock formations suitable for long-term,
underground storage of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide.
- Brian Bandy (pharmacy and nutrition) -- $63,893 towards a microscope and
luminometer that will be used to study how oxidative stress contributes to
aging, cardiovascular disease and cancer.
The equipment will allow researchers to observe how mitochondria (the
organelles in cells responsible for using oxygen) in living cells generate
reactive oxygen species that contribute to age-related illnesses and cell
death. The research will also focus on how aging and mitochondrial
mutations increase reactive oxygen and oxidative stress to cells, and how
nutrition and diet may be used to prevent or treat mitochondrial dysfunction
and age-related illnesses.
Total funding to U of S from the CFI New Opportunities Fund has now reached
more than $7 million for 58 projects since the inception of the program.
Selection criteria include quality of research, need for infrastructure, and
potential benefits of the research to Canada. CFI funds 40 per cent of the
costs, and researchers must come up with the remainder from other sources.
"The CFI investments will provide world-class facilities and cutting-edge
tools for Canadian researchers examining complex issues that are of critical
importance to the province of Saskatchewan and the rest of Canada," said
Carmen Charette, CFI Interim President and CEO. "It will also enable
outstanding researchers to provide the training and mentoring required by
the next generation."
The CFI is an independent, not-for-profit corporation established by the
Government of Canada in 1997 to strengthen the capacity for innovation in
Canadian universities and research institutions.
A complete list of New Opportunities fund projects, by university, can be
found at: www.innovation.ca
- 30 -
For more information, contact:
Kristina Bergen
University of Saskatchewan
Research Communications
(306) 966-1425
bergen@sask.usask.ca
Valerie Poulin
Co-ordinator, Media Relations
Canada Foundation for Innovation
(613) 996-3160
valerie.poulin@innovation.ca
June 21, 2004
CIBC cultivates next generation of Saskatchewan entrepreneurs at the U of S
Posted June 21, 2004
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - June 21, 2004 2004-06-13-AG
CIBC cultivates next generation of Saskatchewan entrepreneurs
The University of Saskatchewan's College of Agriculture announced today that
it has received a $1 million commitment from CIBC to support a new program
in agricultural entrepreneurship - the first of its kind in Canada.
In 2001, CIBC made a significant donation to create the CIBC Centre for
Agricultural Entrepreneurship in the College of Agriculture. This latest
investment will bring the total level of support to $1.8 million and support
the work of a teaching scholar in the area of agricultural entrepreneurship.
CIBC's donation will also create five new bursaries, worth $2,000 each, for
Aboriginal students entering the College of Agriculture. As well, for each
of the next 10 years, $10,000 will go towards outreach activities that
encourage First Nations economic and agribusiness development.
College Dean Ernie Barber said "We are delighted with the support we have
received from CIBC and their confidence in our College. Through their
generosity and vision, we will be the first in Canada to offer an
undergraduate degree with a minor in Agricultural Entrepreneurship."
The curriculum will focus on commercialization of scientific research,
economic development, and agribusiness opportunities. The goal is to spark
agriculturally-based entrepreneurship across the province, particularly in
rural and First Nations communities.
"We believe the best way to promote positive economic and business
development is to invest in the enthusiasm and creativity of bright, young
people. This program will provide students with the entrepreneurial skills
they need to create their own jobs right here in Saskatchewan and across
western Canada," said Rob Paterson, Senior Vice President, CIBC Small
Business Banking.
The College of Agriculture's entrepreneurship initiative will engage
students through a series of courses designed to inspire budding
entrepreneurs and promote entrepreneurial activity. The students will learn
how to conduct feasibility studies and business plans en route to launching
their own ventures.
Professor Tom Allen from the Department of Agricultural Economics has been
actively involved with the development of this program. "Our goal is to
inspire entrepreneurial attitudes so that our students can create their own
opportunities, or make a positive contribution to an existing enterprise.
Business leaders tell us that 'attitude is everything.' We want to help
unleash the creativity and potential of our students, whether they plan to
work for themselves or somebody else."
Support for Aboriginal students and First Nations communities is an
important part of CIBC's donation. "We are strongly committed to the future
of Aboriginal youth and their home communities," said Ron Scrimshaw, CIBC
National Director, Aboriginal Banking. "CIBC is pleased that this
investment will help support the efforts of promising entrepreneurs and
those working to drive positive economic development within First Nations
communities."
About the University of Saskatchewan's College of Agriculture
The College of Agriculture at the University of Saskatchewan is home to 350
research scientists and the next generation of leaders in agricultural
science and business. Located in the heart of the Canadian prairies, the
College of Agriculture is at the centre of a thriving life-sciences research
cluster and minutes from the Canadian Light Source, Canada's first
synchrotron. To learn more about its exceptional programs and people,
visit www.ag.usask.ca.
About CIBC
CIBC is a leading North American financial institution with just under
470,000 Canadian Small Business Banking customers. CIBC is committed to
helping small businesses succeed and has more than 1,300 business advisors
across the country working with entrepreneurs to help them achieve their
business and personal financial goals. CIBC is also one of Canada's largest
corporate donors and in 2003 contributed more than $48 million worldwide,
including $25 million in Canada. To find other news releases and information
about CIBC, visit the bank's Press Centre at www.cibc.com.
-30-
For more information contact:
Jason Aebig
College Development Officer
College of Agriculture
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-8618
OR
Mary Harrison
CIBC Community Relations
(416) 861-7655
St. Thomas More College President Reappointed
Posted June 21, 2004
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - June 21, 2004 2004-06-14-OTHER
Dr. Ken Smith, Chair, St. Thomas More College Corporation, is pleased to
announce the re-appointment of Rev. George Smith as President of St. Thomas
More College for a five-year term, effective July 1, 2005.
"Rev. Smith has been extraordinarily effective in his first term as
President," said Dr. Smith. "He is clearly committed to St. Thomas More
College and we heard overwhelming support for him from both inside and
outside of the College."
"I am grateful for the vote of confidence and welcome the opportunity to
continue serving as College president" said Rev. Smith. "I will dedicate
the next five years to making St. Thomas More the leading Catholic college
federated with a Canadian university.
To accomplish this goal, Rev. Smith acknowledges the importance of working
with the dedicated faculty and staff at the College, the current and future
students of the College, colleagues at the University of Saskatchewan, and
members of the St. Thomas More Corporation and Board of Governors.
Since taking on the role of President in 1999, Rev. Smith has offered
excellent representation of the aims and purposes of St. Thomas More College
to many audiences, including students. Of particular significance was the
development of the College's Statement of Mission and Objectives as well as
the acceptance of an academic plan.
Rev. Smith's tenure will end June 30, 2010.
-30-
For further information, please contact:
Don Gorsalitz
Director of Development
St. Thomas More College
University of Saskatchewan
Tel: (306) 966-2955
Photograph: available by contacting (306) 966-6607 or
communications@usask.ca
New U of S Research Group to Study Heart-Healthy Benefits of Traditional Aboriginal Medicine
Posted June 21, 2004
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - June 21, 2004 2004-06-16-ME
New U of S Research Group to Study Heart-Healthy Benefits of Traditional
Aboriginal Medicine
A newly formed research group at the University of Saskatchewan is working
with two northern Saskatchewan Aboriginal communities to study traditional
First Nations medicine that may reduce hypertension and improve heart
health.
With start-up funding from the Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation and
the U of S, the Cardiovascular Research Group has started to gather
information about 26 locally grown plants used by First Nations to combat
cardiovascular disease.
"This is a unique opportunity for the university community to engage the
Aboriginal community in building upon one of their great strengths -- the
historic and cultural tradition of using indigenous plant-based products for
healing," says U of S physiologist Rui Wang, who heads the group.
Wang, who is trained in traditional Chinese herbal medicine, says that a
research-based analysis of herbal medicine and healing practices will
identify plants that hold the greatest therapeutic promise, validating
anecdotal claims that plant medicine benefits heart health.
In time, the group may use the Canadian Light Source synchrotron
(www.lightsource.ca) to identify active compounds of the most heart-healthy
plants.
"The use of traditional herbal medicine is an important approach to
preventing and treating cardiovascular diseases, and can be significantly
enhanced by rigorous scientific research and documentation," he says.
Working with Aboriginal elders from the Lac La Ronge Band and English River
First Nation, the team will interview Aboriginal healers about the
effectiveness of specific plants in herbal medicine. They will find out
which parts of a plant are used, and how different medicines are prepared
and administered.
"The involvement of Aboriginal elders is essential for the success of the
study because of the major role they play in all aspects of community
cultural life, of which health is seen as but one component in a holistic
perspective," says Wang.
He notes that only a small, aging population of elders and healers knows the
most effective ways to use and prepare plants. Although that knowledge is
passed to younger generations through oral history, Wang hopes the study
will help preserve this first-hand expertise for the long-term benefit of
both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal societies.
"Using herbal medicine to address health concerns is not just a traditional
Aboriginal practice, it is part of the heritage of Aboriginal people and is
considered a great treasure," says Wang. "We want to help preserve this
traditional knowledge and strengthen community health care at the same
time."
Prof. Wang, nine members of the Cardiovascular Research Group and other
collaborators have applied for a Canadian Institutes of Health Research
grant to further the research.
A total of 22 researchers from the U of S colleges of medicine, pharmacy and
nutrition, nursing, and veterinary medicine make up the cardiovascular
group, along with more than 12 post-doctoral fellows and 15 graduate
students.
The Aboriginal herbal medicine study is only one of a number of projects the
group expects to undertake. The group will conduct both basic and clinical
research related to the normal functions of the cardiovascular system, as
well as diseases such as hypertension, diabetes and heart failure.
Recently, three trainees working in the group's labs were awarded grants
from the Heart and Stroke Foundation. Xuming Jia will receive $63,000 over
three years, while Yuan Huang and Xianfeng Sun will each receive $76,000
over two years for their research.
The cardiovascular research group is one of five new U of S human health
research groups established through a funding partnership between the
Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation (www.shrf.ca) and Saskatchewan
universities. The funding program encourages health researchers from a
variety of disciplines to form research groups, thereby increasing U of S
research intensity.
For more about the Cardiovascular Research Group, go to
www.usask.ca/healthsci/cardiovascular
-30-
For more information, contact:
Dr. Rui Wang
Department of Physiology
University of Saskatchewan
Phone: (306) 966-6592
Kristina Bergen
SPARK Writer
Research Communications
University of Saskatchewan
Phone: (306) 966-1425
www.usask.ca/research
June 15, 2004
$25,000 Gift to Support Professorship in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Posted June 15, 2004
The Lung Association of Saskatchewan is pleased to announce that GlaxoSmithKline has joined as a funding partner of its COPD Professorship at the University of Saskatchewan.
For more information, see the news release at http://www.sk.lung.ca/content.cfm/mr41.
June 08, 2004
Veterinary conference at the U of S addresses BSE and other high-profile diseases
Posted June 08, 2004
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - June 8, 2004 2004-06-05-WCVM
Veterinary conference addresses BSE and other high-profile diseases
BSE, West Nile virus and SARS are among the topics to be addressed by a
stellar group of national speakers at the 15th Biannual June Conference at
the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) from June 10 to 12, 2004.
Nearly 200 veterinarians from across Western Canada will explore the latest
health issues in food animals, horses, and small animals during the
three-day continuing education conference, a joint presentation of western
Canada's only veterinary college and the Saskatchewan Veterinary Medical
Association (SVMA).
On Thursday, speakers will concentrate on animal diseases such as BSE, their
effects on animal health and welfare, and their impact on Canada's livestock
industry.
Friday morning's plenary session will focus on the challenges of dealing
with and preventing emerging and zoonotic (animal-derived) diseases. On
Friday afternoon the theme of antibiotic resistance and super-bugs will
continue.
On Saturday, the focus will be on various equine topics and controlled
breeding in cattle. Companion animal dentistry and gastroenterology will
also addressed.
Program highlights include:
June 10
- 8:30 a.m.: Dr. Brian Evans, Canada's chief veterinary officer, will
discuss this country's challenges in meeting foreign animal disease. Evans
has played a leading role in managing the recent bovine spongiform
encephalopathy (BSE) issue in Canada.
- 9:15 a.m.: Dr. Stefanie Czub will discuss BSE and other prion diseases
with special emphasis on monitoring. Czub is head of pathology and the
National BSE Reference Laboratory at the National Centre for Foreign Animal
Disease in Winnipeg.
- 11:15 a.m.: Brad Wildeman, Chairman of the Foreign Trade Committee of the
Canadian Cattlemen's Association, will give a producer's perspective on
dealing with the BSE crisis.
- 1:30-5:00 p.m.: Dr. Terry Whiting of Manitoba Agriculture and Food, Ian
MacMillan of the Saskatchewan SPCA and Dr. Joe Stookey of WCVM will discuss
animal welfare issues related to the BSE crisis. A round table discussion,
chaired by Dr. Alan Preton, Manitoba, will address the veterinarian's role
in ensuring that clients deal with welfare issues.
June 11
- 8:30 a.m.: Dr. Mo Salman will discuss requirements for freedom from an
animal disease in a region. Salman, director of the Animal Population Health
Institute at Colorado State University, will also talk about BSE risk
assessment models and their impact on veterinary practices at 1:30 p.m.
- 9:30 am.: Dr. Ted Leighton, executive director of the Canadian Cooperative
Wildlife Health Centre, will talk about the spread of West Nile virus in
North America, with special attention to western Canada.
- 10:45 a.m.: Dr. Donald Low, chief of Toronto Medical Laboratories and
Mount Sinai Hospital's Department of Microbiology, will give the front-line
perspective of dealing with the SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome)
outbreak in 2003. Low will also discuss the emerging problem of
antimicrobial resistance in respiratory pathogens at 12:30 p.m.
- 11:30 a.m.: Dr. Andrew Potter, Associate Director Research at VIDO will
review current issues relating to food safety.
All presentations, along with a trade show and research poster display, will
take place at the veterinary college. WCVM is located at 52 Campus Drive on
the University of Saskatchewan campus. For the complete conference agenda,
additional topics and speaker biographies, visit www.usask.ca/wcvm/news or
www.svma.sk.ca.
WCVM, one of four regional veterinary colleges, is Western Canada's centre
for veterinary education, expertise and research. SVMA is the province's
veterinary medical association that represents more than 500 veterinarians
who practice in Saskatchewan communities.
-30-
For more information, contact:
Anne Ruholl
Western College of Veterinary Medicine
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-7267
E-mail: anne.ruholl@usask.ca
Lorna MacMillan
Saskatchewan Veterinary Medical Association
(306) 955-7868
E-mail: lmacmillan@svma.sk.ca
June 04, 2004
Local Artist's Abstract Work Installed at Synchrotron
Posted June 04, 2004
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - June 4, 2004 2004-06-04-OTHER
Local Artist's Abstract Work Installed at Synchrotron
A major abstract work by Eli Bornstein, a noted artist with strong ties to
the University of Saskatchewan, was celebrated in a ceremony today at the
Canadian Light Source (CLS).
The large-scale paneled artwork, three years in the making, is installed on
the north façade of the CLS building.
"Eli Bornstein's longstanding relationship with the university, his status
as a senior Canadian artist, and his interest in the relationship between
art and science make it fitting for his art to be showcased at the CLS,"
said U of S President Peter MacKinnon. "It is exciting to be able to accept
this major contribution to the U of S permanent collection."
Bornstein, professor emeritus of fine arts and one of Canada's first
abstract artists, is renowned for his pioneering work with light and colour.
His abstract three-dimensional works, which he terms "structurist reliefs,"
have been exhibited internationally. He donated his artist's fee for the
commission.
The work was designed so its appearance would change in response to daily
shifts in sunlight and shadow, as well as seasonal variations. Its six
massive aluminum panels, each five feet wide and 10 feet high, are painted
in a progression of colours from blue-green to yellow, resembling an
unfolding stream of colour.
The CLS, which will open this fall, generates brilliant light to help
scientists study minute structures in nature. The sequence of coloured
panels in Bornstein's work uses the lightest part of the colour spectrum and
suggests the molecular phenomenon of light and colour, "celebrating the
function of the synchrotron," Bornstein said.
"Science deals with one aspect of reality, and art with another," he said.
"I think they complement one another."
CLS Executive-Director Bill Thomlinson notes that images of solid and and
biological structures taken using synchrotron light cover the range from
perfectly symmetric and periodic to completely abstract.
"This beautiful relief exemplifies on a macroscopic scale the intrinsic
beauty of images created with light, in this case the visible part of the
spectrum," he said. "Since we do not use visible light from the synchrotron
for imaging, this work complements all of our scientific imaging in a
natural way."
Bornstein is represented in the National Gallery of Canada, as well as
numerous other public and private collections. The Forum Gallery in New York
recently purchased four of his circa-1960s works. His large-scale
commissions include an abstract construction for the Winnipeg airport (1962)
and a four-part vertical construction for Regina's Wascana Centre Authority
(1984).
Bornstein, who joined the U of S faculty in 1950, has made a significant
contribution to the university as a scholar, lecturer and writer. In
1959-60, he introduced a new course, Structure and Colour in Space. This
became an area of specialty unique in North America. The Structurist, the
international art journal Bornstein founded in 1960 and continues to edit,
is published by the university and distributed to more than 35 countries.
Kent Archer, director/curator of the university's Kenderdine Gallery and the
U of S art collection, said there are two of Bornstein's works on paper and
two of his constructions in the university's collection.
"We're delighted to be able to acquire a new work, one of his major
structurist reliefs. As a teacher and an artist, Eli has been an important
figure in the history of the university's art department," he said.
Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Bornstein studied art in Chicago and Paris and
received his art degrees from the University of Wisconsin. He was head of
the U of S art department from 1963-72. Upon his retirement in 1990, he was
awarded the degree of Doctor of Letters (DLitt).
Bornstein's 15-foot aluminum construction, "The Tree of Knowledge," was
commissioned by the Saskatchewan Teachers' Federation (STF) and installed in
downtown Saskatoon in 1957. There were many critics of the abstract work,
the first of its kind in the city and the province, but it is now widely
used as a symbol of the STF and is a feature of its new building on
Arlington Avenue.
Bornstein's work reflects his interests in both natural and built
environments. Among his awards is the 1968 Allied Arts Medal from the Royal
Architecture Institute of Canada. A scale model of his Wascana Centre
artwork has recently been acquired by the Canadian Centre for Architecture
in Montreal for its permanent collection.
The U of S art collection, established in 1911 by the institution's first
president, Walter Murray, now numbers more than 4,000 works. While its
concentration is 90 per cent Canadian, it also has a small collection of
international structurist works.
The U of S-owned national synchrotron facility (www.lightsource.ca) is one
of the most advanced synchrotrons in the world.
-30-
For more information, contact:
Eli Bornstein
Professor Emeritus of Fine Arts
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 652-9740
eli.bornstein@usask.ca
Kathryn Warden
Research Communications
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-2506
kathryn.warden@usask.ca
June 01, 2004
Western Canada's Veterinary College at the University of Saskatchewan Achieves Full Accreditation
Posted June 01, 2004
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - June 1, 2004 2004-06-01-WCVM
Western Canada's Veterinary College Achieves Full Accreditation
SASKATOON, SASK. -- The University of Saskatchewan's Western College of
Veterinary Medicine has achieved full accreditation status from the American
Veterinary Medical Association's (AVMA) Council on Education for another
seven years - the maximum number of accreditation years granted by the
organization.
Like all other Canadian and U.S. veterinary colleges, WCVM must be
accredited with the AVMA to operate as a qualified centre for veterinary
education and research. This decision means WCVM students can continue
writing the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination - a
comprehensive test written by all U.S. and Canadian veterinary students in
their final year - with no restrictions.
Full accreditation also implies that the College's graduates are eligible to
practice anywhere in Canada, the United States and in several other
countries.
WCVM Dean Charles Rhodes said: "For western Canadian practitioners and for
our alumni, this signifies that their College still meets the highest
international standards of veterinary education."
In December 2003, accreditation team members spent a week conducting on site
inspections and interviews with students, faculty, staff, alumni and local
practitioners. The site team evaluated the College under 11 categories:
organization, finances, physical facilities and equipment, clinical
resources, library and information resources, students, admissions, faculty,
curriculum, research and outcomes assessment.
The report from the AVMA's Council on Education included the accreditation
site team's comments. "They commended us on the quality, maturity and
enthusiasm of our students," said Rhodes. "Plus, they praised our success in
increasing research funding in the past few years."
Team members applauded the upgrades in the College's computer laboratories
and improvements to the audiovisual and electronic services in lecture
rooms.
The AVMA's approval has increased morale at the College, and Rhodes hopes
the news will boost WCVM's upcoming fund raising campaign. The College plans
to raise $5 million from its stakeholders to use toward a major expansion of
its Veterinary Teaching Hospital.
"We can tell people that we are fully accredited which is the proof that
we're doing an excellent job," said Rhodes. "Upgrading our facilities will
not only ensure that we meet the AVMA's accreditation standards seven years
down the road, but will provide a facility that continues to be the pride of
Western Canada."
The Western College of Veterinary Medicine is located at the University of
Saskatchewan. It is a regional veterinary College that serves the
veterinary needs of the four western provinces. Undergraduate veterinary
students come from all four western provinces based on an Inter-provincial
Agreement between the four provinces and the University of Saskatchewan.
Currently, there is a total of 280 students enrolled in the four-year
program. There is an active program of postgraduate studies and research,
with nearly 90 graduate students pursuing advanced training and research.
-30-
For more information contact:
Dr. Charles Rhodes, Dean
Western College of Veterinary Medicine
University of Saskatchewan
Tel: (306) 966-7448
U of S Crop Development Centre Releases Three Wheat Varieties
Posted June 01, 2004
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - June 1, 2004 2004-06-02-OTHER
U of S Crop Development Centre Releases Three Wheat Varieties
The Crop Development Centre of the University of Saskatchewan has released
three new red spring wheat varieties to Select Seed growers in Saskatchewan,
Manitoba and Alberta. The breeder seed was offered for sale to Select Seed
Growers in the early spring of this year. Certified seed for commercial
production should be available in the spring of 2006.
The three new wheat varieties registered under the names CDC Go, CDC Osler
and CDC Walrus, were developed by Dr. Pierre Hucl, leader of the CDC's
spring wheat breeding program. CDC Go and CDC Osler are Canada Western Red
Spring wheat varieties. CDC Walrus is a Canada Western Extra Strong wheat.
CDC Go is the first semi-dwarf red spring wheat cultivar released by the
CDC. It is an awned, short-strawed, hollow-stemmed wheat. In three years
of co-operative testing, CDC Go out-yielded other red spring wheat varieties
such as AC Barrie and Laura. It is slightly earlier in maturity than AC
Barrie, has similar lodging to AC Barrie, similar test weights to the check
varieties but has a higher kernel weight. Disease reactions of CDC Go
showed resistance to bunt, moderate resistance to leaf and stem rust as well
as moderate resistance to smut.
CDC Osler is also a red spring wheat variety. It is similar in height to AC
Barrie and AC Splendor. In three years of co-operative yield testing, CDC
Osler yielded higher than both checks AC Barrie and AC Splendor. Both
maturity and test weight were slightly less than AC Barrie, but greater than
AC Splendor. Lodging resistance of CDC Osler proved to be better than the
two checks. CDC Osler showed resistance to loose smut as well as
resistance to prevalent races of both leaf and stem rust.
CDC Walrus is the second extra-strong wheat variety released by the Crop
Development Centre. In three years of co-operative yield testing, CDC
Walrus yielded 3.3, 4.5, and 7.6% higher than Glenlea, AC Corinne and
Bluesky respectively. CDC Walrus was earlier maturing than Glenlea and AC
Corinne. Lodging, test weight and kernel weight were similar to all three
checks, but CDC Walrus was slightly shorter strawed. CDC Walrus showed
resistance to loose smut as well as resistance to prevalent races of stem
rust.
-30-
For more detailed information about these varieties, please refer to the
department's website http://www.usask.ca/agriculture/plantsci or contact:
Dr. Pierre Hucl
Crop Development Centre
University of Saskatchewan
Tel: (306) 966-8667
Email: hucl@sask.usask.ca
