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Pool Makes Quantum Leap with New Canola Variety

Hard work, plain luck and a little help from biotechnology have resulted in a remarkable new, non-hybrid canola variety. Quantum, an Ultrabred variety developed at the University of Alberta and available exclusively from the Pool, yields 19 per cent higher than Legend, previously the top- yielding, non-hybrid Argentine canola variety.

"Quantum yields like a hybrid," says Jim Ferrie, Oilseed Breeding Associate with the Saskatchewan Wheat Pool, "but it is a conventional, open-pollinated cultivar." Quantum also sets new standards for blackleg resistance and offers very good lodging resistance.

Quantum, which will be available for commercial planting next year, is considered years ahead of its time. To achieve its remarkable combination of yield, disease and lodging resistance, plant breeders at the University of Alberta had to beat considerable odds in the development stage. The odds against finding a cross-bred plant that combines so many desirable traits can be one in tens of thousands, or higher.

Quantum is a cross between an Australian variety, Maluka, which has very good blackleg resistance, and a University of Alberta variety. The cross was originally made to introduce blackleg resistance into the university's germplasm; the outstanding yield results came as a surprise, according to the plant breeder, Gary Stringam of the University of Alberta's Agricultural Food and Nutritional Science Department.

Variety To Market in Record Time

Quantum is a doubled haploid line, says Stringam. The double haploid process, which is routinely used in modern Argentine canola breeding, is a biotech process, but does not involve transgenics. Its advantage is that development times for new varieties can be reduced from 8-10 years to 6 years.

Most complex, living organisms are diploids, meaning that they have two sets of chromosomes, one set inherited from each parent. A haploid has one set of chromosomes.

Using the haploid technique involved the production of plants through the use of tissue cultures. "We culture the immature pollen grains," says Stringam. "That is, before the flower opens and the pollen is shed, we remove the pollen grains from the anthers and culture them on a special media under aseptic conditions. Rather than develop into mature pollen grains as they normally would do if left on the plant, the development process of the pollen is shunted off in a different direction. So instead of developing into pollen grains, they develop into embryos."

The embryos then appear the same as seed embryos, but have only half the chromosome number of the normal plant. However, they can be grown into seedlings and flowering plants, just as happens with seed embryos. The haploid plants are then treated with an alkaloid that doubles up the chromosome number and makes the plants completely true breeding.

The whole process saves development time, allowing varieties like Quantum to come to market much sooner than otherwise possible.

A challenge to hybrid varieties

Bob Morgan, Manager of Agricultural Research and Development for the Saskatchewan Wheat Pool says "A variety such as Quantum could present an interesting challenge to companies developing hybrids varieties including new transgenic canola varieties currently entering the market ." Although transgenic canolas with qualities such as high erucic acid content have specific niche markets, farmers may resist growing hybrid varieties when open-pollinated varieties such as Quantum offer higher yields and better dollar returns. Companies developing transgenic varieties will have to consider whether they can afford to pay farmers the premiums that would make their varieties as attractive to grow as Quantum.

In addition, since Quantum is open-pollinated, farmers will be able to hold back a portion of the crop for seed. In contrast, farmers growing hybrids have to buy new seed every year. This fact could also affect the competitiveness of hybrid varieties.

"Quantum shows that there is still vitality left in more conventional plant breeding methods," comments Morgan.

News

Feed Resource Centre to Twin With Chinese University

A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed regarding the twinning of the China Feed Industry Centre at the Beijing Agricultural University in China and the new Feed Resource Centre at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon.

The MOU resulted from meetings in Saskatoon between Professor Defa Li of the newly-established Chinese Feed Centre and Vern Racz and Dr.Bernard Laarveld of the Saskatchewan Centre. Li also discussed academic exchanges between the universities.

The Chinese Feed Resources Centre is in an advanced stage of being established, and is expected to be the leading centre of its kind in China. It is funded through a major contract with the World Bank. The Saskatchewan Centre is in the final stages of approving its business plan.

"The discussions were very positive and it is obvious that both Feed Resource Centres would be a good fit and benefit greatly," commented Laarveld, Head of the Animal and Poultry Science Department at the University of Saskatchewan. "This linkage with China will be strategically and economically important for the feed commodity and livestock industries in Saskatchewan. It also demonstrates the potential and important role of the Feed Resource Centre in marketing."

Biotech Trip Winner Impressed with Saskatoon

"The world-wide agricultural community will be taking note of Saskatoon's concentration of biotech brain power," predicts Pam Marrone, the winner of a free, 4-day trip to Saskatoon offered at BIO '95, a major biotech conference recently held in San Francisco.

Marrone, President of AgraQuest, a small agbiotech company based in Davis, California, made the comment after touring Saskatoon's agbiotech complex in July. "This is the most impressive group of agriculturally-oriented biotech people I've ever seen in one place," Marrone says, "and I've been to a lot of research centres. Saskatoon's Innovation Place and University of Saskatchewan complex is exceptional."

Marrone was pleased to discover a number of opportunities for collaboration with Saskatoon-based biotech organizations. Her company finds plant-derived substitutes for insecticides. The product closest to market is used to control mosquitoes at the larval stage.

"We're not aiming our products at the Canadian market, but there is a good possibility that we can exchange information on materials we find that are suited to the Canadian climate, in exchange for Canadian products more suited to American conditions. We may also be looking for Canadian partners for the products we develop."

The Saskatoon trip was offered by the Saskatchewan contingent at BIO '95 and supported by Ag-West Biotech. According to one Saskatchewan participant at BIO '95, the contest idea generated a lot of interest for the Saskatchewan exhibitors. 'We were surprised by the amount of competition for a Saskatoon trip."

Prairie Agri-Food Exports Strong

AgCanada reports that agri-food exports were up 25 per cent during the first three months of this year. March exports were $1.23 billion, bringing the first quarter total to $4.03 billion.

The United States received half of these exports, although the pace of growth to that market slowed to 6 per cent. Barley, wheat, canola and corn sales were down, while live cattle, beef and pork exports increased to 27 per cent of exports to the US.

Japan is Canada's second largest agri-food market, with sales of $494 million in the first quarter, up 32% from last year.

Other markets are also expanding. Exports to the EU represents 11 per cent of Canada's agri-food export market. Exports are currently at $444 million for the first quarter of 1995, double the value for the same period of 1994 and triple that of 1993. Sales to Latin America are up 14 per cent and sales to Mexico have increased by 25 per cent from the first quarter of 1994.

Exports from the Prairie Provinces represent about three- quarters of all Canadian agri-food exports outside the US market.

Alberta Research Council Signs Animal Health Agreement

The Alberta Research Council (ARC), and Central Biotech Inc. and Inland Marketing Inc., both of Swift Current, Saskatchewan, have signed a cooperative agreement to develop and market animal health care products.

Central Biotech will seek and acquire new and existing technologies for commercial development at ARC. Products developed will be marketed internationally through Inland Marketing. Vaccines for animal producers and veterinarians are the target product initially, but the companies anticipate future expansion into products for small domestic animals.

According to project manager, Dr. Malcolm Rollins of ARC, "this cooperative agreement has the potential to lead to an independent Canadian organization devoted to the development and manufacture of animal health care products. We will be able to supply the local animal health care industry with effective, reasonable priced products, while at the same time providing a nurturing environment for small Canadian veterinary companies."

"People on the prairies and our governments are beginning to recognize the growth potential of biotechnology and agricultural manufacturing," comments Doug Miller, vice-president of Central Biotech. "We look forward to working with ARC and Inland to enhance the western Canadian presence in this sector of the economy, here and around the world."

The biologicals industry in Canada generates $58 million in annual sales, while sales worldwide are $1.68 billion.

Contact Dr. Malcolm Rollins of ARC at 403/450-5322; Doug Miller of Central Biotech at 204/488-1372; or John Furman of Inland Marketing at 306/778-4410.

Agri-Food Trade Service Announced

Agriculture Minister Ralph Goodale has announced the inception of the Agri-food Trade Service (ATS). The service includes:

* the Agri-food Trade Network (ATN), which provides non- request customized market information to agribusiness;

* Agri-food Trade 2000. a streamlined funding mechanism for new cost-shared initiatives with industry;

* monitoring of the market strategies of major foreign competitors;

* a program to introduce new exporters to Asia-Pacific and Latin American markets;

* Agri-FITT, a training program for agri-food managers and marketing professionals.

The new programs will consolidate export market development initiatives and provide single-window access to services, with the objective of meeting an export target of $20 billion by the year 2000.

An information kit on ATS is available from the Media Unit at AgCanada. Call 613/759-7920; fax 613/759-7977; e-mail at media@em.agr.ca; or contact ACEIS at http://aceis.agr.ca.

Boreal Rhizobium Gives Forage Head Start

Rhizobium bacteria isolated from indigenous Arctic legumes growing north of the Arctic Circle may help forage producers get a head start on the growing season. The rhizobium, which have proven effective on sainfoin and cicer milk vetch, promote early plant growth and larger yields by kicking into gear at temperatures as low as 5C.

For information, contact Angele St-Yves, Soils and Crops Research and Development Centre, Sainte-Foy at 418/657- 7980.

Better Pulp Through Biotech

Zeneca Plant Science has developed a technology for modifying the lignin in paper pulp trees. Paper makers using the modified-lignin plants as a source of pulp will be able to make more paper more quickly and efficiently, according to Zeneca, using less energy to separate lignin from cellulose. The US Patent Office has issued a Notice of Allowance of a patent on the Zeneca technology.

Have Another Beer

Recent successes with transgenic barley points the way to the development of lines more suitable for the brewing industry. Researchers hope to develop varieties that enhance conversion of starch to fermentable sugars and suppress off flavors by modifying the activity of key enzymes. However, because cereal crops have proven less amenable to biotechnology, it will be years before you'll be ordering a round of recombinant brewskis.

Events

Agricultural Biotechnology International Exposition 1996

ABIC '96 will be held from June 11-14, 1996 in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.

Already, more than 55 speakers have been recruited for the conference. These speakers will come from countries such as Australia, Indonesia, the United Kingdom, the United States, Germany, the Netherlands, Canada, Mexico and Italy.

Professor Jeff Schell with the Max Planck Institute in Germany will be the opening speaker for ABIC '96 . Following the conference theme AgBiotech: Foundation for the Future, Professor Schell will talk about "Future Directions in Agricultural Biotechnology."

For more information on registration, exhibits, or sponsorship contact the ABIC '96 Office, c/o The Signature Group, 608 Duchess Street, Saskatoon, Sk, Canada, S7K 0R1 or phone (306) 934-1772, fax (306) 664-6615 or email: signatur@eagle.wbm.ca

Ag-West Biotech's Annual Meeting

Ag-West Biotech's Annual Meeting will be held October 17, 1995 in Saskatoon. The following speakers have been invited to take part in the program.

Dr. Tom Hoban, North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service "Public Perception and Acceptance of Biotechnology"

Dr. Terry Medley, USDA-APHIS "International Regulatory Harmonization"

Mr. Al Scholz, Trimension Group "Human Resource Needs in Ag-Biotechnology"

For more information and a personal invitation, contact Ag- West Biotech Inc. at (306) 975-1939 or e-mail agwest@innovplace.saskatoon.sk.ca

Business Info for Biotech

The Second International Conference on Strategic Business Information in Biotechnology will be held from October 23 - 24, 1995, at the Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA. The conference will help participants learn the most advanced techniques for accessing business information.

For information contact the Institute for Biotechnology Information, P.O. Box 14569, Research Triangle Park, NC USA 27709-4569. Call 919/544-5111; fax 919/544-5401, or e-mail ibi@biotechinfo.pdial.interpath.net.

AGRITECH 96

Agritech 96 will be held on May 12-16, 1996 in Israel. It will feature products/technologies in fields such as irrigation/fertilization technology, water management and much more. Representatives of all Israeli agrotechnology firms will be at Agritech to discuss all aspects of business oriented agroproduction. Agritech 96 is the venue for Canadian agrotechnology companies to initiate contact for turnkey projects and joint ventures in this region.

For more information on the AGRITECH 96 contact Mr. Yitzhak Kiriati for Agritech Spring '96, Organizing Committee, P.O.B. 50084 - 61500 Tel Aviv, ISRAEL TEL: 972-3-5142868, FAX: 972- 3-5142881

Cereal Chemists Annual Meeting

The American Association of Cereal Chemists Annual Meeting will be held November 5-9, 1995, in San Antonio, Texas.

For detailed information call 612/454-7250 or fax 612/454- 0766.

International Plant Genome Conference

The International Plant Genome IV Conference (PG IV) will be held January 14-18, 1996 at the Town and Country Hotel in San Diego, California. Abstracts are requested.

Conference information is available from Scherago International, 11 Penn Plaza, Ste 1003, New York, NY USA 10001. Call 212/643-1750, fax 212/643-1758, or e-mail Scherago@Biotechnet.Com.

Bio '96 International

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania will be the host city for BIO International 1996, the biotechnology meeting and exhibition sponsored by the Biotechnology Industry Organization. The meeting will occur June 9-13, 1996. Issues ranging from finance, management, tech transfer and communications to marketing and sales will be reviewed in over 100 workshops involving 300 speakers. Sponsorships and exhibitor sites are available.

For details contact BIO Meetings Department, 1625 K Street NW, Suite 1100, Washington, D.C. USA 20006-1604, call 202/857- 0244, or fax 202/331-8132 or 202/857-0237.

Nutrition Congress in Montreal

The 16th International Congress of Nutrition will occur from July 27th to August 1st, 1997 at the Palais des Congres in Montreal, Quebec. The goal of the congress program, which will be in English, is to explore current, leading edge research in nutrition science, including biotechnology. Abstracts and exhibitors are being solicited.

Contact the Congress Secretariat at: 16th International Congress of Nutrition, c/o Conference Services Office, National Research Council of Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada K1A 0R6, Telephone (613) 993-7271, fax 613/993-7250 or e-mail confmail@aspm.lan.nrc.ca.

Trends

Increased Pesticide Harmonization Anticipated

Mexican pesticide regulatory authorities joined their Canadian and American counterparts for the first time at the June meeting in Ottawa of the Technical Working Group (TWG) on Pesticides under the Canada-US Free Trade Agreement.

The TWG involves some twenty-five stakeholders representing registrants of pesticides, agriculture, forestry and environmental organizations, and government experts. The meeting marked the conclusion of the initial phase of the initiative, which involved several pilot projects, and the first stage of a fuller regulatory harmonization.

Characteristics of the new phase will include routine sharing of information, data, data reviews and registrations work, and efforts toward a harmonization process.

It is thought that effective harmonization will contribute to cost-effective regulation; a level playing field for domestic and international enterprise; and protection of people and the environment.

Contact the Pest Management Regulatory Agency, 10th Floor, Trebla Building, 473 Albert Street, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0C5, call 613/991-0216, fax 613/991-0231.

Alliances

Pool /Crop Centre to Collaborate on Research

The Saskatchewan Wheat Pool, on behalf of its sister Pools, has initiated a joint program for wheat variety breeding and agronomic testing with the Crop Development Centre at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon. The Centre will assume the plant breeding and testing duties of the Pool's Hard Red Spring and Amber Durum projects as part of a two-phase program effective August 1, 1995.

The three, Prairie Pools have committed over $400,000 to the long-term alliance. A second-phase of the program will begin field testing advanced experimental wheat lines in 1997 through the pools' testing network. Saskatchewan Wheat Pool's breeding materials will be donated to the Centre in 1998. In exchange, the three Pools will have the right of first refusal to market varieties developed from this germplasm. The Pools will also exchange the right of first refusal on up to one third of other wheat varieties developed by the Centre in return for the Centre's access to the Pools' agronomic testing services across the prairies.

Obtain further information from Dr. Gordon Rowland, Crop Development Centre at 306/966-4977 or Dr. Robert Graf, Saskatchewan Wheat Pool at 306/668-6630.

Public-Private Sector Partnerships III

The following article is the third and final installment in a series based on a presentation to the Plant Science Department, University of Manitoba in November, 1994 by R.E. Morgan, Manager of Agricultural Research and Development with the Saskatchewan Wheat Pool and member of the Board of Directors of Ag-West Biotech. The previous installments outlined the various forms, advantages and challenges of partnerships, particularly between universities and industry, and considered ways of enhancing these relationships.

How to Work in Today's Reality

Preparing for the Initial Partner Meeting

Before the industry partner begins discussions with the university, it is important to have a clear understanding of:

- what you want to accomplish;

- when you hope to complete the project;

- what you can afford to spend;

- what you consider to be legitimate budget areas;

- what you bring to the table;

- what are the challenges and opportunities related to the project;

- who will be the key participants ;

- what type of work will be carried out and what expertise will be required;

- who will hold people by responsibility;

- how will reporting be done; and

- how much time and resources you are prepared to commit for administration.

After this preliminary preparation, set up a meeting with the (primary) institute's head program scientist and tech transfer officer to discuss the project in conceptual terms. This is sound protocol and should be used even if you are familiar with the institute personnel.

Put your expectations on the table

Before getting into technical details, make sure the expectations of each partner are clear. These must be clearly understood by both parties, an agreement on a set of "fair expectations" before project initiation will enhance the potential for success.

What are fair expectations?

1. Confidentiality of information . The university must protect information and reduce its exposure through a "need to know" process. Signing a confidentiality agreement is not unreasonable. Release of information through publications or other means must be negotiated up front to protect market lead-time.

2. Minimizing conflict of interest . Conflicts of interest can result from the scientist's private dealings or work in the same area with competitors. It is best to be cautious because perception can be as important as reality.

3. Clearly laid out research goals . Realistic, focused goals with mutually agreed-on timelines should be established at accountable funding levels.

4. On-going two way communication.

5. Reasonable levels of reimbursement for research performed and product obtained.

6. Earmark some funding for more basic research.

7. Expeditious development of the agreement by all parties should govern the project.

8. A signed agreement prior to commencement or before significant resources are committed. The agreement should specify ownership, protection and control of the technology/product developed, identify potential regulatory issues, and specify responsibility for funding and the allocation of royalties.

9. Information sharing regarding market opportunities and the use and promotion of the technology.

10. Appropriate recognition by each organization of the other's contribution. This pertains particularly to the recognition of the researcher's role in the new/product technology.

11. Continuous efforts to improve working agreements, research protocols and product innovations.

12. Continuous evaluations and explorations of new or related venture opportunities.

Working out detailed agreements

Once the background is done for the conceptual meeting, and all expectations are laid out, future meetings will address details. These meetings will hammer out the technical/management/financial aspects of the agreement and establish an infrastructure to ensure that project development through to commercialization goes as planned.

At this point the researcher will develop a project proposal for consideration. This also acts as the basis for future discussion.

Reviews of the proposal will require a follow-up meeting to sort out details and initiate the development of a project management timeline, which outlines: timeline milestones; the sharing of responsibility/expenses and access to sources of funding; additional partner considerations; ownership/protection/control; regulatory/technical hurdles; and "a probability of success" estimate.

This should lead, first, to the contract development process by the project's lawyers; second, to a project development flow chart; and third, to a final project outline which will form the basic document for the project and a discussion paper for funding agencies.

Generally the industry partner should initiate the development of a legal contract which outlines the "agreed terms" and protocols which will be followed. The university would develop the 'science contract."

It is critical to remember that the key components of the partnership are the people on both sides. Participants are encouraged to look beyond the contracts and science because neither will ensure success unless the people on both sides want to make it happen.

Once an agreement has been signed, a small celebration would be appropriate in order to reinforce the team building which results from the negotiations.

A Commercialization Agreement

As a final step, a marketing/commercialization agreement will have to be negotiated. This is done just case agreement comes to an end before commercialization. It allows partners to assign a value for development and the ownership of the intellectual property is beyond contention. It also provides an understanding of the commitment being made by both parties and the return to be expected.

Once the project is underway, regular meetings and proper reports must be part of the process to ensure partners are conversant and comfortable with the process and progress.

Technology Transfer

Gene Responsible for Larger Litters

A gene that may make it possible to increase the average size of pig litters by 1.5 piglets has been identified by researchers at Iowa State University. Selecting pigs for the presence of this gene may mean that top sows will be capable of producing 30 or more offspring annually.

Iowa State University Foundation took out a patent for the method of detecting the gene in conjunction with Biotechnology Research and Development Corp. of Illinois. The method has been licensed exclusively to Pig Improvement Co., Inc. of Kentucky, a swine genetics company.

The new technology will allow breeders to test young pigs for the gene and select those with the potential for producing larger litters. The estrogen receptor gene, which was first discovered in Chinese pigs, will also help in the selection of improved lines of Chinese swine.

For information contact the Office of Biotechnology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011-3260, call 515/294-9818, fax 515/294-4629.

Finance

Research Service Offered

The College of Commerce at the University of Saskatchewan is taking proposals for applied research projects from Saskatchewan business and other organizations. The research will be carried out by upper Bachelor of Commerce and Masters of Business Administration students.

Companies are asked to submit 1-2 page descriptions of their research requirements, such as feasibility studies for new and existing organizations, market research studies, international projects and business plans. Accepted research projects will cost $1,500 plus expenses.

Contact Chandra at 306/966-4790 for more information, or write or fax to "Call for Projects", College of Commerce, Business Advisory Services, 25 Campus Drive, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5A7, Fax 306/966-5408.

Issues

Global Realities/Society's Expectations

Changing priorities in agricultural research

The direction taken by the global agricultural institutions initiated after World War II has been influenced by marked changes in research and extension priorities, comments Vernon W. Ruttan in a paper presented to the Agricultural Institute of Canada (AIC) conference on "Global Realities, Society's Expectations."

Institutions such as the UN Food and Agriculture Organization were elements of the post war vision of a world free of hunger. During the first two post-war decades, in order to increase agricultural output, emphasis was placed on the transfer of technology and community development modes from high to low productivity areas. However, by the late 1950s, the gains in production from simple technology transfer had largely played themselves out.

A re-evaluation of international development priorities gave rise to the perspective that appropriate agricultural technology, and particularly biological technology, was highly location specific. In addition, the view that peasant farmers were an obstacle to progress was replaced by the view that peasants made efficient use of available technologies, but were inhibited by their lack of access to high pay-off inputs.

The emphasis in agricultural development shifted to ways of generating locally relevant knowledge and technology, to ways of enhancing the application of research, and to ways of educating rural people to make better use of new technologies.

One result from these insights was the development and expansion of a system of international agricultural research institutes located in developing nations. The "CGIAR" institutes had increased to 18 by the 1990s.

Ruttan observes that a "quiet crisis" in the international research system has come about, partially due to a lack of financial resources, but also because of a "life cycle" problem that affects maturing institutions.

When the new institutions opened, their early successes in launching a green revolution were derived from the vigorous and creative individuals they attracted. "As the research institution matures, however, there is often a tendency for the research program to settle into "filling the gaps" in knowledge and technology rather than achieving creative solutions for scientific and technical problems."

Managers of several CGIAR institutes are currently struggling with ways to revitalize their mature research institutions.

Assessing agricultural realities and expectations

Global society expects the world's agricultural scientists to meet the challenge of providing an expanding population with food. This will be impossible without innovative approaches to agricultural production, according to a paper by W. David Hopper of Ontario Hydro International. Hopper presented his views to the AIC's Global Realities, Society's Expectations Conference.

In the next 40 years, the world population will rise to 10 billion, with 90 per cent living in "developing" nations containing just 52 per cent of the world's arable land. This portion of land is declining in absolute terms due to urbanization and various economic developments.

In the past, writes Hopper, agricultural science has been able to double and triple grain yields per hectare, and close the gap between temperate and tropical yield. This was accomplished through a combination of innovative plant breeding, serendipity, the masterful application of several disciplines, and "perhaps above all else, the courage to stand alone and fight for the pursuit of gut feeling and intuition."

If this tradition of expanding agricultural productivity is to be continued and broadened to include all eco-regions, especially sub-Saharan Africa, agricultural scientists will have to be audacious, self-confident and courageous.

Says Hopper: "As agricultural scientists I hold that we must examine some of our cherished practices which too often have unintended consequences: I fear the peer review process because of its implicit demand for conformity; I deplore bureaucratic research because in its refuge lies safe mediocrity; I have little patience with research that fills gaps in present knowledge because its usefulness is too often little more than an addition to the list of published papers; and I hate the denigration of applied science because it can result in a benign neglect of the really critical issues confronting global agriculture."

Resources

GABA

The Global Agricultural Biotechnology Association continues to expand its base. The organization now has members from the public private and non-profit sectors of the industry in 11 countries.

GABA's main mission is to provide networking and communication services to members. Industry news is available to members through a quarterly newsletter and GABA On-Line. GABA members are eligible to receive a 10% discount for personal registration at the Agricultural Biotechnology International Conference which will be held in Saskatoon, June 11-14 1996.

GABA can be reached c/o The Signature Group,608 Duchess St., Saskatoon, SK, Canada S7K 0R1 or on World Wide Web http://www.lights.com/gaba/index.html

Free Directory Listing for AgBiotech Bulletin Subscribers

Subscribers to this publication are invited to submit details of their companies activities for a free listing in the Canadian Biotechnology Directory 1996. The directory is slated for publication December, 1995. The two categories for company profiles are: those directly involved in biotechnology, such as biotech companies and research groups, and those providing support services to the industry. It is expected that the directory will expand to more than 1,000 entries this year, It will be marketed world-wide, and will be available in hard copy, CD-ROM and on the Internet.

For information contact Fred Haynes, Contact Int'l Inc. at 358 Delrex Blvd. Georgetown, Ontario, L7G 4H4, call 905/873- 1295 or fax 905/873-6133.

Canadian Biotechnology Handbook '95

Canadian Biotech News, in association with Ernst and Young, is pleased to announced the forthcoming publication of the Canadian Biotechnology Handbook '95. The handbook produces a comprehensive summary of the industry. Circulation is guaranteed to reach potential investors and alliance partners. The handbook will also be distributed internationally to biotech and pharmaceutical companies, Canadian Consulates, Venture Capital companies, and at selected trade shows.

For information contact Dr. Maura Campbell, CMG Marketing Group, 463 Cambridge Street South, Suite 202, Ottawa, Ontario, K1S 5G3, call 613/567-9406 or fax 613/567-9170.

Broiler Management Review

The Foundation for Animal Care Saskatchewan (FACS) has announced publication of the first of a series of commodity specific Management Review brochures.

The Broiler Management Review was developed with the assistance of producers, veterinarians and researchers, while using the existing Codes of Practice as a base of information. Designed as an educational tool, the document uses a worksheet format to help producers assess, maintain and, where necessary, adjust animal production practices.

Although designed for Saskatchewan, requests for the Review have already been received from 11 countries.

Contact Promoting Animal Agriculture, 502-45th St. W, 2nd Floor, Saskatoon, Sk. S7L 6H2, call 306/249-3227, or fax 306/244-2918.

21st Century Sustainable Development

Agriculture, Environment and Health Sustainable Development in the 21st Century, edited by Vernon W. Ruttan, is slated for publication in January, 1996. The volume offers an interdisciplinary analysis of changes now underway at the global level in institutional design and policy reform that will ultimately promote sustainable growth in agricultural production.

Order the book from University of Minnesota Press, 2037 University Avenue S.E., Minneapolis, MN 55455-3092. Call 1-612-627-1970 for price information.

Ag-Biotech Technician Standards

Voluntary guidelines for skill standards for the position of Agricultural Biotechnology Technician have been established by the National Future Farmers of America Foundation. The standards are designed to guide students and educators in choosing or developing educational programs to target human resources for the agbiotech industry.

Free copies of the National Occupational Skill Standards: Agricultural Biotechnology Technician are available from the National FFA Organization, Attn: Distribution Services, PO Box 15160, 5632 Mt. Vernon Memorial Highway, Alexandria, VA USA 22309.

New Versions of Vector Software Available

A newly upgraded version of Vector NTI for Windows, as well as the newly available Macintosh version, has been announced by American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) and Infomax, Inc.

Vector NTI is capable of designing new genetic molecules automatically, the upgrades include a database of 80 commonly used vectors , permits transferring changes to molecules in child-parent trees and visualization of these changes.

Free demonstration disks or ordering information is available from ATCC/Marketing at 12301 Parklawn Dr., Rockville, MD, 20852, USA, call 800/638-6597, fax 301/816- 4361, e-mail mkting@atcc.org.

Agri-Marketer/AgExporter On-Line

Starting with the July 1995 issues, two Agriculture Canada newsletters will be available via the Internet. The electronic version of Agri-Marketer and AgExporter will provide access to complete documents on markets and trade for the Canadian agri-food industry.

Access Agri-Marketer and AgExporter through Ag Canada's Electronic Information Service (ACEIS) at http://aceis.agr.ca/cb/agrimark/agmmne.html.

AgBiotech and the Public Good

The 6th report of the American National Agricultural Biotechnology Council, called Agricultural Biotechnology and the Public Good (200pp.) is available for US$5.

Order from and make cheques payable to NABC/BTI, 159 Biotechnology Building, Cornell University, Ithica, NY USA 14853-2703.

AgBiotech Stock Letter

The AgBiotech Stock Letter reviews the performance and prospects for American agbiotech stocks and makes recommendations for investors. The newsletter is published 12 times a year by Jim and John McCamant. Subscription rates are US$165 per year.

Contact AgBiotech Investors (1995) at P.O. Box 40460, Berkeley, CA USA 94707, call 510/843-1842.

Bt Book Now Available

A book comprised of papers presented to the "Pacific Rim Conference on the Biotechnology of Bacillus thuringiensis and Its Impact on the Environment", a conference held in Taiwan in October 1994, is now available. The book's title is Bacillus thuringiensis Biotechnology and Environmental Benefits Vol.1.

Fax orders to Hua Shiang Yuan Publishing Co at 886-2- 6601010. Non-participant copies are available at US$50

New Titles on Allelopathy

Biological Control of Weeds and Plant Diseases Advances in Applied Allelopathy by Elroy L. Rice, is a review of the most recent work in the study of allelopathic effects in agriculture and forestry.

Send orders to the University of Oklahoma Press, Box 787, Norman, Oklahoma USA 73019-0045 or call 1-800/627-7377 for details.

Carolina Genes

Published spring and fall by the North Carolina Biotechnology Centre, Carolina Genes provides updates on biotech and biotech education, primarily in North Carolina. The newsletter is sent free of charge.

Contact Dr. Lynn Elwell, North Carolina Biotechnology Center, PO Box 13547, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709-3547, call 919/541-9366.

Canadian Genome Program on WEB

The Canadian Genome Analysis and Technology (CGAT) Program Bioinformatics Support Service has opened a web site. The facility is the first in a series of Internet services for CGAT grantees and the Canadian genomics community; it is designed to provide information on and directions on how to access genomic databases and software; a pool of volunteer experts for search and analysis assistance; and educational materials for researchers to help understand data formats and software.

Access the service at http://cgat.bch.umontreal.ca/ If you have questions contact Peter Burke at 514/343-6111, extension 5149 or 7936, or by e-mail at burkep@bch.umontreal.ca.

Free ISU Biotech Directory

The 1995 version of Current Research in Biotechnology is now available from Iowa State University's Office of Biotechnology. The free publication is an index of ISU biotech faculty members, and contains an overview of ISU biotech initiatives.

Contact the ISU Office of Biotechnology, 1210 Molecular Biology Building, Ames, Iowa USA 50011, call 515/294-9818 or fax 515/294-4629.

New Book on Brassica Oilseeds

Brassica Oilseeds: Production and Utilization is co-edited by D. I. McGregor of Agriculture Canada Research Station in Saskatchewan and D. Kimber of the National Institute of Agricultural Botany in Cambridge, UK. The book provides a global and comprehensive description of the subject and represents a reference for senior students, researchers and practitioners within crop and food sciences.

North American orders can be directed to CAB International at 845 North Park Avenue, Tucson, Arizona 85719 USA, call 800/528-4841 or 520/621-7897 or fax 520/621-3816.

Food Info On-Line

The International Food Information Council (IFIC) is making its information resources available free of charge on the Internet. IFIC Foundation On-Line combines graphics and text to provide educational materials, scientific research, recent survey data and many tips for health professionals and educators, including the latest information on biotechnology.

IFIC On-Line can be reached at: http://ificinfo.health.org or gopher://ificinfo.health.org

Protein Database/Sequence Analysis Tools

A guide to accessing nucleic acid and protein databases and basic sequence analysis tools is available on the Internet. The guide provides quick access to resources such as GenBank, BLAST or Swiss-Prot and as overview of their contents.

Access on the WWW at: http://www.library.wisc.edu/Biotech/workshop/sequence.html or contact David Jourdan at 608/263-3899 or fax 608/263-3221 or Email djourdan@macc.wisc.edu

Sheep and Swine, Electronically

Pig Genome Update is a bimonthly newsletter of interest to scientists interested in the mapping of the pig genome. The newsletter is available electronically, or on paper.

Contact via Email for information: angenmap@iastate.edu

SheepBase, an informational database including mapped genetic loci in sheep, is soon to be available on the Internet.

For information and subscription, contact Harris Lewin, 206 PABL, 1201 W. Gregory Dr., University of Illinois, Urbana, Il. USA 61801.

Triticale On-Line

The Centre for Land and Biological Resources Research in Ottawa has established its Triticale Crop Register on the Internet. All information on the crop, including parentage going back to the last century, is readily available to plant breeders, regulators and seed merchants. The information will help breeders develop lines to improve the industry's competitive advantage.

Access through the Internet at AG190CER@CCOT.AGR.CA or call Mottie Fledman at 613/759-1847 for further information.

US Biotech Info On-line

* Information on US biotech regulations, proposed rules, public notices, data from applications for field testing, a user's guide for applying permits, as well as personnel directories is available on the USDA's APHIS home page on the WWW.

Connect your browser to: ftp://ftp.aphis.ag.gov/pub/bbep/home.htm

* The new Email address for the USDA's Office of Agricultural Biotechnology is masner@reeusda.gov

People Watch

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

Mark Stumborg has temporarily replaced Judy Wilson at Western Region Business Development Office, while Wilson is away on maternity leave.

Stumborg is based at the Semiarid Prairie Agricultural Research Branch where he works as an engineer, focusing in the areas of energy, agricultural mechanization, contract research and value-added processing.

Sandy Bresciani has also joined Western Region Business Development Office on a two-year secondment from the Saskatoon Research Center. She provides market research services to Ag Canada research centers in the Western Region.

BIOSTAR

Jim White has joined BIOSTAR/BIOWEST Inc. as vice president of Sales and Marketing. He has worked in the animal health field in Canada and the U.S. for fourteen years. He was most recently marketing manager for the Livestock Division of SmithKline Beecham. Previously, he was with Rhone - Poulenc.

Pioneer Grain Company

Russell Jeffery has been appointed manager of Product and Service Development for Pioneer Grain.

United Grain Growers

Dave Sippell is the new manager for Proven Seed in Winnipeg, Manitoba, effective June 1, 1995.

Agriculture Institute of Canada

G. Resby Coutts has been inducted as president of the Agricultural Institute of Canada (AIC), replacing Ron Weisenburger. Coutts, who is known for his work in agricultural extension, publishing and broadcasting in Manitoba, served as AIC secretary for the past two years, during which time the organization changed its structure, from an individual member association to a federation of member organizations.

The AIC has also announced its 1995 award winners. Appointed Fellows of the Institute are Byron Beeler, a Vice- president of Ciba Geigy in Mississauga, ON; Dr. Roger Buckland, Dean of McGill's Agricultural College in Montreal, PQ; Jack Cutcliffe, a crop specialist from Charlottetown, PEI; Herbert Thomas Hargrave, a rancher and former MP from Walsh, AB; and Dr. ib Nonnecke, a horticulturist from Guelph, On.

Other awards were given to: Dorothy Poole, former AIC International Programmes Coordinator, who was awarded an honorary membership in the Institute; Leslie Ballentine and Cathy Lowry, both from Ontario, and David Rourke of Manitoba were each given Outstanding Young Agrologists awards; International Recognition Awards were given to Dr. David Christensen of the University of Saskatchewan, Dr. Fenton MacHardy of the University of Alberta, and Dr. Hector Munoz of St. Stanislaus Farm in Guyana; and Donald Ziraldo, President of Inniskillin Wines in Ontario, who was awarded the Grindley Medal.

Alberta Research Council

Walter Leps has been appointed head of the Biotechnology Department of the Alberta Research Council, located in Edmonton. Leps has been with ARC since 1982.

Canadian Bacterial Disease Network

Karen Corraini has been hired as Business Development Manager of Canadian Bacterial Disease Network, effective August 21, 1995.

GCIRC Eminent Scientist Award

Dr. R. Keith Downey, Principal Research Scientist at the Agriculture Canada Research Station in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, is the recipient of the GCIRC (Groupe Consultatif International de Recherche sur le Colza) 1995 Eminent Scientist Award. The award was granted at the 9th International Rapeseed Congress in Cambridge, UK in June. This is only the third occasion that this award has been presented since its inception in 1983.

Downey is the breeder or co-breeder of 13 Rapeseed/canola varieties and five condiment mustards, many of which have dominated the Canadian production area. The varieties Downey has developed include major improvements in seed and oil yields and quality.

Also receiving the award was M Jacques Morice of Rennes, France, who has distinguished himself in many aspects of rapeseed biology and breeding research.

National Agricultural Biotechnology Council

Jane Baker Segelken is the new Executive Coordinator of the National Agricultural Biotechnology Council in Ithaca, New York.

Plant Biotechnology Institute

Dr. Kutty Kartha has been appointed to the position of Director-General of the National Research Council's Plant Biotechnology Institute (PBI). Kartha has served as a researcher and research manager with NRC for 22 years, and most recently as Research Director for PBI.

Dr. Wolf Kurz has retired from NRC's Plant Biotechnology Institute after 28 years of service. He joined PBI in 1967 as a microbiologist and subsequently established himself as an international authority on fermentations, plant cell culture and production of pharmaceuticals. In 1989/90 Kurz was a visiting professor at Kyoto University in Japan and upon his return he became the head of the newly established Business and Outreach Office of PBI.

Following his retirement he will take on the chairmanship of the Ag-Biotech Committee of the Saskatoon Regional Economic Development Authority, an advisory committee providing direction to SREDA on agbiotech.

Saskatchewan Drug Research Institute

The Saskatchewan Drug Research Institute (SDRI) has relocated to Saskatoon's Innovation Place.

Contact Dawna Hawrysh at SDRI, 105 - 111 Research Drive, Saskatoon, Sk. Canada S7N 3R2 Call 306/966-6137.

Saskatchewan Science Centre

Ian Schofield has succeeded Oswald Henry as Chairman of the Saskatchewan Science Centre Board of Directors. Schofield, a partner in Peat Marwick Thorne, has been on the Centre's Board for four years. The Saskatchewan Science Centre is a leading education and tourism facility in Saskatchewan, located in Regina.

SeCan Association

Jim Downey has been appointed to the new position of Research Co-ordinator for the SeCan Association. Downey was previously with the PFRA in Red Deer, Alberta and Indian Head, Saskatchewan. SeCan works with public-sector plant-breeding programs, and markets a number of varieties of licensed grain and specialty crops.