b'CDC 50PART 1LEADING A CROP DEVELOPMENT HUBA brief history of the formation of the Crop Development Centre.Bryan Harvey IN 1971,the Crop Development Centre (CDC) was established as an integral part of the University of Saskatchewans Crop Science Department but funded outside of the univer-sity budget.The first three years of the CDC would see the recruitment of six research scientists whose mandate was to expand research, particularly in breeding and quality of wheat, field grains and new crops. Several faculty members also conducted research at the CDC. Dr. G.M Simpson was appointed as the first director of the CDC. He would hold that position until his resignation in 1974. At the time of his resignation, the directorship of theGordon Rowland at a field day in 1981. Photo courtesy CDCCDC was added to the responsibilities of the department head. in the CDC would not allow for a researcher A large gift of farmland from Mr. F. Kernento perform both research and administrativeCDC OVER THE YEARSin 1977 allowed for the development of theduties, and the decision was made to employ Kernen Crop Research Farm, the centre ofa managing director to oversee its business1971 Creation of research for both field crop and ecologi- dealings.the Crop cal landscapes. In 1994, it was determinedDorothy Murrell was selected as the firstDevelopment that the administrative responsibilities of themanaging director of the CDC in 2007. SheCentredepartment and the CDC were far greaterheld that position until 2011 when she retired.1977 Kernen Crop than one person could manage, and the twoDr. Kofi Agblor replaced her in 2012 andResearch Farm were once again divided into two positions.passed the torch to interim managing directorformed as Dr. Gordon Rowland was appointed as direc- Dr. Pierre Hucl in 2019.the centre of research for tor of the CDC for a five-year term, succeed- In July of 2020, Dr. Curtis Pozniak tookboth field crop ing myself. Upon completion of Rowlandsover as director for a five-year term, as theand ecological term, Professor Rick Holm was named theCDC is moving back to a director model. landscapessucceeding director of the centre in July 1999.The centre continues to be one of the most1999 Rick Holm The CDC is now a fully integrated unit ofsuccessful research units in the university.appointed the the Department of Plant Sciences. The pres- It has developed hundreds of varieties in aCDCs last sures of increasing student enrollment num- number of field crops, introduced new cropsdirectorbers have demanded the faculty members ofand developed numerous cropping practices2007 Dorothy Murrell the CDC to acquire teaching responsibilities,which have contributed many billions of named first which was not a mandate in the early devel- dollars to the Saskatchewan economy.managing opment years of the CDC. The CDCs breed- directoring programs have led to the release of overHarvey is a former director of the CDC and2020 Curtis Pozniak 400 crop varieties in 20 different kinds. was a recipient of a Canadian Plant Breedingnamed director Holm resigned his position as director ofInnovation (CPBI) Award in 2019, when hisfor a five-year the Crop Development Centre in 2006. Atbarley variety CDC Copeland won a Seed oftermthat time, it was determined that the growththe Year honour.38GERMINATION.CAJANUARY 2021'