Colleagues recall a humble, dedicated breeder whose work advanced field pea genetics while his mentorship and integrity left a deep impression.
The pulse breeding community is mourning the loss of Dr. Dengjin “D.J.” Bing, the longtime Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) field pea breeder whose varieties shaped farms, strengthened markets, and earned the trust of growers across the Prairies.
Based at the AAFC Lacombe Research and Development Centre, Bing spent decades advancing field pea genetics, developing high-performing varieties that combined strong protein levels, improved standability, and enhanced disease tolerance. His work became foundational to Alberta’s pulse sector and influential across Canada’s broader pea industry.
A Breeder Whose Varieties Delivered
Varieties such as AAC Carver, AAC Chrome, AAC Julius and AAC Profit were widely adopted across Alberta farms. Bing focused on traits that mattered both agronomically and economically: improved protein levels, stronger standability to reduce lodging, and enhanced disease tolerance. Yet those who worked alongside Bing say his impact extended well beyond the varieties that bore his program’s name.
Robyne Davidson, research scientist in applied research at Lakeland College in Lacombe, first met Bing in 2003 when Alberta Agriculture arranged a joint agreement that brought him from Morden, Man., to Lacombe. At the time, she was a technician working in plant pathology. What stood out immediately to her was Bing’s quiet focus.
“I really liked D.J. because he was just down to earth,” she says. “He was a very quiet guy. He didn’t talk much. He wasn’t extremely social. If you saw him at meetings, you’d see him there, he’d have a friendly conversation with you and usually go. He very rarely attended the big social events. He just kind of kept to himself.”
But when it came to breeding, Bing’s dedication was unmistakable. Colleagues remember him as someone uninterested in the limelight, focused instead on results.
“He was not interested in the spotlight at all,” Davidson says. “He just did his work and focused on his family. That’s what mattered to him — his family and his work.”
During a challenging period when departmental changes left the two working closely together in the field, Davidson saw firsthand his patience and mentorship.
“I would ask lots of questions, and he would always stop and take the time to explain things,” she says. “If he needed anything from you, he was very thankful and appreciative. He was always, ‘Can I help you? What can I help you with?’ He was just a really great guy to work with.”
Tom Warkentin, field pea breeder at the University of Saskatchewan, interacted with Bing regularly at variety registration meetings, technical advisory groups and scientific conferences. “People respected his opinions, his expertise and his leadership,” Warkentin says. “D.J. was a gentleman too, and a friend. It was really nice to work with him.”
