Construction will start next week on a $3-million, unique-in-Canada pulse field research lab attached to the University of Saskatchewan (U of S) Crop Science Field Laboratory. 

The U of S will manage the construction of the addition, as well as own and operate it. Occupancy is scheduled for the fall of 2005.

The expanded centre for pulse breeding and research near the corner of 108th St. and Preston Ave is needed to advance Saskatchewan's leadership as a producer and researcher of pulse crops such as peas, lentils, chickpeas, and beans. The project was spearheaded and initiated by the Saskatchewan Pulse Growers who continue to lead fund-raising efforts.  

"Research is the key to keeping Canada's growing pulse industry profitable in the long term," said Rick Holm, director of the U of S Crop Development Centre. "This world-class centre will advance development of new varieties, improved disease management and agronomy, and improvements in quality that will provide value to the industry."

Saskatchewan has more than 22,000 pulse producers.

"This is a major step forward for our industry and we're very excited that construction is beginning and we are seeing the result of our efforts," said Saskatchewan Pulse Growers board chair Shawn Buhr. "We'd really like to
thank the companies and organizations that have supported this project financially."

Holm noted that the Saskatchewan Pulse Growers have been key to the growth and development of the U of S pulse research program. He said the centre, which will involve both faculty, graduate students and eventually visiting scientists, is expected to meet the crop breeding and research needs of the industry for the next 30 years. 

To date, $1.8 million has been raised toward the $3-million cost. Officials are confident that the rest of the money will be confirmed soon from other public and private funders.

The main funder is the Canada-Saskatchewan Agri-Food Innovation Fund which has committed $1.5 million. Other contributors include Philom Bios, Nitragin Inc. Bayer CropScience, Bourgault Industries, Bourgault Tillage Tools, Saskcan Pulse Trading, DuPont Industries, and Benson ADD Board.

In recent years, U of S leadership in pulse crop research has provided the tools to build a successful Canadian pulse crop industry.

Fewer than a dozen Saskatchewan farmers had tried farming lentils when Al Slinkard, now professor emeritus at the Crop Development Centre, established a breeding program at the U of S in the early 1970s. Slinkard had a vision that Western Canada could not only diversify into pulse crops, but become a world leader. His programs yielded 19 different pulse varieties including Laird, the most widely recognized lentil variety in the world. Now Canada is the world's largest exporter of peas and lentils and a major exporter of chickpeas and dry beans.