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| 2006 - Archive |
The Harovinton soybean was the big winner in the 2006 Seed of the Year contest. Al Hamill (left), research scientist for Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, accepted the Seed of the Year Award at a ceremony at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, on behalf of Dr. Richard Buzzell, the Harovinton breeder. Also pictured are Martin Harry, eastern marketing manager for SeCan and Dr. Rob McLaughlin, president of the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair and associate vice-president of Agri-Food and Partnerships (Research) for the University of Guelph.
Dr. Richard Buzzell (left), Harovinton breeder, is pictured here with Vaino Poysa of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, who nominated him for the award.
This all-star seed development cast represents winner and runners-up for the 2006 Seed of the Year contest. From left: Al Hamill, research scientist for Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC); Martin Harry, eastern marketing manager for SeCan; Dr. Istvan Rajcan, finalist and OAC Prudence breeder, University of Guelph; Tom Smith, finalist and OAC Rex breeder, University of Guelph; Abraham Teich, finalist and Harus breeder, AAFC; Dr. Rob McLaughlin, president of the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair and associate vice-president of Agri-Food and Partnerships (Research) at the University of Guelph. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE- NOVEMBER 8, 2006 Seed of the Year winner announced at Royal Agricultural Winter Fair ( Guelph, ON) – A soybean variety with outstanding performance, sustainability, marketability and industry impact topped entries in the second annual “Seed of the Year” competition. Harovinton soybean, developed by Dr. Richard Buzzell at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Harrow Research Centre, was named Seed of the Year Wednesday, November 8, 2006 at a recognition event at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto. For 15 years, Harovinton soybeans have shown exceptional consistency in making quality tofu. Its resistance to root rot and tolerance for the metribuzin herbicide have produced consistent yields across Ontario and abroad. Harovinton’s success, particularly in the Japanese tofu market, has played a crucial role in fostering the development of Canada’s identity preserved food grade soybean export market. Three other finalists for Seed of the Year were also recognized at the event. Harus wheat, developed by Abe Teich of Agriculture and Agri-food Canada’s Harrow Research Centre; OAC Prudence, a soybean variety developed by University of Guelph Prof. Istvan Rajcan; and OAC Rex, a white bean variety developed by Guelph Prof. Peter Pauls, former professor Tom Michaels, and technician Tom Smith, were also recognized for their contributions to the agri-food sector. Through the Seed of the Year application process, public breeders are encouraged to highlight their research accomplishments in developing a new field crop, forage, fruit, vegetable or herb variety. Any publicly developed Canadian variety is eligible to compete. The competition has been designed by the University of Guelph and SeCan with support from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. Additional sponsorship has been provided by Ontario Bean Producers’ Marketing Board, Ontario Soybean Growers and Ontario Wheat Producers’ Marketing Board. -30- F or more information contact: Owen Roberts, Director, Research Communications Lindsay Brown, Student co-ordinator FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - May 24, 2006 Seed of the Year finalists named Winner to be unveiled at Royal Agricultural Winter Fair Harovinton soybean, Harus wheat, OAC Prudence soybean and OAC Rex white bean are the finalists in the 2006 competition. They will be honoured at the Seed of the Year recognition event at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto in November. The winner will be unveiled at that time. The event will be open to industry professionals, media, farming community members, and plant breeders. Through the Seed of the Year application process, breeders are encouraged to highlight their research accomplishments in developing a new field crop, forage, fruit, vegetable or herb variety. Any publicly developed Canadian variety is eligible to compete. Entries were evaluated based on innovation, presence throughout the value chain, sustainability, marketability and overall impact on the Canadian agri-food industry. The competition has been designed by the University of Guelph and SeCan with support from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. -30- For background information: For more information contact: Owen Roberts, Director, Research communications Kim Waalderbos, Coordinator Back To Top Seed of the Year is a new initiative recognizing Canadian public seed breeders. Through the program's application process, public breeders are encouraged to highlight their research accomplishments in developing a new variety of fruit, vegetables, forages or field crops. In its inaugural year, Seed of the Year focused on attracting submissions from public seed breeders in Eastern Canada . Seed varieties were evaluated based on their performance, sustainability, marketability, value chain and end use potential, and overall impact on industry. The competition has been designed by representatives from SeCan, the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and the University of Guelph . Additional sponsorship has been provided by Ontario Bean Producers’ Marketing Board, Ontario Soybean Growers and Ontario Wheat Producers’ Marketing Board. -30- Back To Top |
