Vandenberg Named Top Pulse Promoter

SASKATOON - Jan 11/05 - SNS -- The University of Saskatchewan's Dr. Bert Vandenberg was named the pulse industry's top promoter of 2004 at Pulse Days 2005.

The award is sponsored by BASF Canada, and is presented annually to an individual who has made an extraordinary contribution to the development of the pulse industry. The selection is made by the Board of Saskatchewan Pulse Growers, an organization representing over 20,000 growers of peas, lentils, chickpeas and beans in that province.

Dr. Vandenberg is a Professor and Scientist at the University of Saskatchewan's Crop Development Centre. He specializes in the genetics, breeding, production and management of pulse and special crops.

He has developed or co-developed about 50 crop cultivars including dry bean, field pea, lentil and chickpea. He has initiated new breeding programs for several new pulse crops and new market classes. He has been involved in pulse crop research and development for nearly 20 years and is considered one of the world's foremost experts in this area.