A unique-in-Canada, $3-million pulse crop research lab opened today at the University of Saskatchewan (U of S), the result of more than three years of effort by the university, Saskatchewan Pulse Growers (SPG), the governments of Canada and Saskatchewan, and numerous partners in industry.

The new state-of-the-art lab is expected to meet the crop breeding and research needs of the pulse industry for the next 30 years. It adds 1,200 square metres to the existing U of S Crop Science Field Laboratory just east of campus near the corner of 108th Street and Preston Avenue in Saskatoon.

For the first time, all aspects of pulse research programs at the U of S Crop Development Centre -- from breeding, pathology and crop physiology to data processing and seed storage -- will be located together, increasing efficiency and allowing research programs into crops such as peas, lentils, chickpeas, and beans to expand.

"The opening of Canada's newest pulse crop research facility enables Saskatchewan and western Canadian producers to cultivate a superior product and meet the increasing international demand for pulses," said Finance Minister Ralph Goodale, on behalf of Stephen Owen, Minister of Western Economic Diversification and Minister of State (Sport). "This investment builds on the expertise of crop scientists at the U of S and supports Saskatchewan pulse growers who produce the largest percentage of Canada's peas and lentils."

"Saskatchewan is a world centre of excellence for research, production, value added-processing and marketing of pulse crops," said Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food Minister Mark Wartman. "This strategic investment in pulse crop research infrastructure will ensure continued growth of the pulse industry and contribute to increased wealth in Saskatchewan."

The project was spearheaded by the Saskatchewan Pulse Growers, which has a long history of generous support for pulse research.

"Of our $3 million invested in research programs in 2004-05, 70 per cent was awarded to the University of Saskatchewan," SPG Chair Dean Corbett said. "We know this research support has a big impact on the industry. The 2003 Gray-Scott study shows that every dollar SPG invests in research leads to a $15.60 return for farmers and a $31.30 return for the industry as a whole."

CDC Director Rick Holm said the new lab will advance development of new crop varieties, improve disease management and enhance quality, while keeping Canada's growing pulse industry profitable over the long term.

"By building on this strong partnership of government, industry and the university, we now have the space and research capacity to take Saskatchewan pulses into the future, whether it be varieties that perform better in our province's fields or varieties that meet the requirements of current and emerging markets," Holm said. "This expansion will also help attract graduate students and visiting scientists."

The main funders are the Canada-Saskatchewan Agri-Food Innovation Fund and Western Economic Diversification Canada, which committed $1.5 million and $750,000 respectively. Other contributors include BASF Canada with $125,000, Philom Bios Inc. with $100,000, and Morris Industries with $75,000. Nitragin Inc., Bayer Crop Science, Becker Underwood, Bourgault Industries, and Syngenta Crop Protection Canada Inc. each contributed $50,000. Twenty-seven additional donors contributed amounts ranging from $100 to $30,000. A full list of donors is available from Saskatchewan Pulse Growers.

Saskatchewan's 20,000 pulse growers are a national success story, together making Canada the world's largest exporter of peas and lentils and a major exporter of chickpeas.

Saskatchewan produces 99 per cent of the country's lentils and 70 per cent of its peas. Pulses are now planted on four to five million acres annually, making them the province's third most important crop export, accounting for about 15 per cent of income at the farm gate.

The U of S has played an integral role in the development of the province's pulse industry. Fewer than a dozen Saskatchewan farmers had tried growing lentils when a breeding program was established at the CDC not long after the Centre's inception in 1971. Since then, the CDC has released 92 pulse crop varieties including 32 lentil, 20 pea, 22 bean, 13 chickpea and five fababean varieties.