b'GIANT VIEWSDIY PLANT BREEDING CAN LEAD TO BIG THINGSI STARTED MY breeding program in 2010 as a hobby, butnext two-to-three years. As a new-always with the intent of making it into more than that.comer to the plant breeding commu-Pulse Genetics came into existence three years ago.nity, were excited to be a part of this As someone without formal training in plant breeding,strategic partnership.starting a breeding company is especially gratifying. ForWith the explosion of the plant-20 years Ive been working in the ag industry, about halfbased protein market, theres a lot of of it as an agronomist and the other half in research andopportunity to create exciting new pea variety development. Plant breeding is sort of where I cutvarieties tailored to what consumers my teeth.want. We have a chance to improve on As any plant breeder knows, its a lot of hard work andnumerous traits, be it starch content, can take up evenings and weekends. Without a publicprotein content, digestibility, nutrition or private sector breeding program behind me, a lot ofand texture. Consumers are looking Pete Giesbrecht,hand labour was involved, but also a lot of creativity andfor all of these. President, Pulseinnovation. Starting from home garden plots, working up Genetics to community garden plots, and then finally working with some local seed growers, Ive really had to push through to get to this point. Going to university is something Ive always wantedAS SOMEONE WITHOUT to do. Of course, life takes different turns and I didnt get around to that right away. I figured once I turned 50,FORMAL TRAINING IN PLANT it was about time to complete my diploma in agricul-ture, which I did last spring. I went to the University ofBREEDING, STARTING A Manitoba not just for the education, but to supplement theBREEDING COMPANY IS experience Ive gained working in the industry and also to begin building a network with public institutions andESPECIALLY GRATIFYING.academia. Upon graduating at 54, I immediately had the opportunity to become a part-time sessional instructor.I have a strong connection to the farming community. A passion for research and innovation complements my desire to see agriculture become both profitable and sus-tainable. I believe in growing knowledge and promotingNaturally, the road to get there agriculture.wont be without its bumps. As a That brings me to where I am today. My companysmall plant breeder just breaking into Pulse Geneticsbased in Winkler, Man. is elatedthe industry, I can attest to the need to be a part of an initiative spearheaded by Proteinto revamp our current royalty system Industries Canada. Along with NRGene Canada, Farmersin order to capture value back into a Business Network Canada and Manitoba Harvest, we aregrowing company. developing new pea and hemp varieties for use in foodUltimately, Canada can become and ingredient processing, including a new pea-hempmore involved in international pulse flour blend.development in order to bolster food Collectively, well focus on increasing the proteinsecurity, perhaps by introducing traits content and improving the starch content and texture ofthat work well in certain parts of the ingredients derived from the new varieties, potentiallyworld. It starts here at home and then increasing their use in plant-based foods and beveragesspreads abroad.across Canada and internationally. We can collectively get there with Pulse Genetics will focus on improving Canadas well- hard work and ingenuity. With a do-established pea sector. Promising lines are being testedit-ourselves attitude, we can accom-with the goal of achieving registration and sales in theplish this and more. 48GERMINATION.CASEPTEMBER 2021'