U of S Wins National Prize for R & D Collaboration with Saskatoon Company
Posted October 28, 2004
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - October 28, 2004 2004-10-29-AG
U of S Wins National Prize for R & D Collaboration with Saskatoon Company
A University of Saskatchewan agricultural researcher and the Saskatoon
company that commercialized his technology have won a 2004 Synergy Award for
Innovation from Science and Engineering Research Canada (NSERC) -- one of
six university-industry teams across Canada to win the prestigious award.
Jeff Schoenau, known worldwide for his expertise in soil fertility and plant
nutrition, developed the technology used by Western Ag Innovations Inc. to
create the Plant Root Simulator (PRS), a soil testing probe and forecasting
software that has benefitted researchers and farmers in Canada and around
the world.
The PRS system has been used to improve yields on 3.4 million acres of
farmland in Western Canada, with an estimated economic impact of almost $60
million since 1998.
NSERC Synergy Awards recognize successful collaboration between universities
and industry, and winning researchers are awarded a $25,000 NSERC grant.
Industry partners receive the prestigious Synergy sculpture. The prizes will
be presented at a gala dinner tonight in Waterloo, Ont.
"The award highlights not only this successful partnership, but also the
importance of university-based research in generating ideas that provide
value, fuel economic development and create jobs in Canada," says U of S
Vice-President Research Steven Franklin.
The commercialization of Schoenau's research has directly led to jobs for 11
full-time workers and 26 commissioned salespeople at Western Ag Innovations
and Western Ag Labs. The latter company provides soil testing services
directly to farmers.
"I applaud the accomplishments of Western Ag Innovations Inc. and Dr.
Schoenau's research team," said federal Finance Minister and Wascana MP
Ralph Goodale.
"I encourage other companies and researchers to follow their example.
Nowhere is this more important than in Canadian agriculture, which not only
feeds the world, but acts as an economic mainstay in communities across the
country."
The U of S licensed Schoenau's technology to Western Ag Innovations in 1997.
The Saskatoon company is headed by Ken Greer, who had previously worked as a
member of Schoenau's university research team.
The PRS simulates the function of a plant's roots and helps researchers and
farmers see the soil from a plant's perspective. The device simplifies the
collection and analysis of soil samples and vastly improves the ability to
measure and predict fertilizer use and requirements.
"This is really just a good example of entrepreneurialism and co-operation
between university and industry - an idea generated through university
research that was successfully adopted by a commercial entity," says
Schoenau.
The Synergy Awards showcase innovation and the benefits of pooling resources
to make the most of Canadian ingenuity. Candidates are judged on factors
including innovation, entrepreneurship, quality of research, effective use
of university and industry resources, and providing training for graduate
students.
"These prizes celebrate and recognize effective partnerships that connect
our university-based research leaders with those in the private sector who
can deliver research results to the marketplace," said NSERC President Tom
Brzustowski.
Science and Engineering Research Canada is a key federal agency investing in
people, discovery and innovation. It supports both basic university research
through research grants, and project research through partnerships among
postsecondary institutions, government and the private sector, as well as
the advanced training of highly qualified people.
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Note to editors: Photos are available.
For more information, contact:
Jeff Schoenau
Senior Research Scientist and Adjunct Professor
Department of Soil Science
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-6844
Ken Greer
Principal, Western Ag Innovations
(306) 978-1777, (306) 717-0580
http://www.westernag.ca/
Dale Worobec
U of S Research Communications
(306) 966-1474
dale.worobec@usask.ca
www.usask.ca/research
