BY REX NEWKIRK, PhD
HEADOF
THE CLASS
Wherepossibilitymeets reality
UNIVERSITIES PLAY A UNIQUE
role in agriculture. They not only explore
possibilities for the future, but—likely
more than any other discipline—they
connect possibilities with real solutions
and business opportunities that have a
long-lasting impact.
We often talk about two types of
research: basic and applied. In applied
research, the investigator is trying to solve
a problem or create an opportunity by
applying knowledge from several sources,
but with an immediate need and expected
outcome. Most people recognize the value
of this type of practical research. Basic
research is very different—it works to
understand the underlying principles and
biology that affect us and our surround-
ings. We often don’t see the significant
benefit of such research for many years
to come, leading some to question its
value. However, this basic research is the
foundation for future gains in applied and
real-world situations.
In agriculture, basic research is used to
discover new possibilities. It involves find-
ing new ways to do things that are more
productive, safer and better for the envi-
ronment, while adding to the economy
BASICANDAPPLIED RESEARCHAT UNIVERSITIES UNLOCKS AG'S POTENTIAL
and improving the welfare of people and
animals. The exciting thing about agricul-
tural research is that this basic research,
which can seem a bit “out there” at first
glance, can result in very real solutions in
the not-so-distant future.
An example of a basic research break-
through was when I was studying a com-
pound called phytic acid in the ’90s, and
how it was, in part, reducing the digest-
ibility of canola nutrients. The research
determined that the compound, when
combined with another enzyme, broke
down under certain conditions. Word
spread and companies began producing
and optimizing this enzyme. The research
process had gone from basic to applied.
Now, essentially all hog and chicken diets
include this enzyme to increase grain and
oilseed value for animals. It’s cut down on
pollution and reduced transportation costs
associated with manure.
Our universities play several important
roles in research. They provide an educa-
tional environment to help students get a
solid background and the tools they need
to be effective in their jobs. Professors,
especially in agriculture, are typically
involved in applied research that they in-
troduce to their students to broaden their
experience and knowledge.
Some of these students will be interest-
ed in learning more about how the science
happens—wishing to become an expert
in a certain area and add to the body of
scientific knowledge. To do this, they can
pursue a master’s degree that takes them
deeper in the scientific discovery methods
and gives them the opportunity to conduct
research that may answer some basic or
applied questions.
Some of these students will be so
fascinated by the pursuit of knowledge
that they will wish to contribute in a more
significant way—they will choose to com-
plete their PhD and will likely continue
conducting research for the remainder of
their career.
At the University of Saskatchewan, in
the College of Agriculture and Bioresourc-
es, we have a new research centre that of-
fers good examples of the various types of
research and how possibilities can become
realities. The Canadian Feed Research
Centre in North Battleford has three
distinct research areas. It has a lab area
where small quantities of material can be
processed in very controlled ways. This
supports basic research that works to un-
derstand things like how chemical struc-
ture can be altered to increase nutritional
value and improve animal and intestinal
health. Once a processing method has
been identified and the underlying princi-
ples are understood, it is time to scale up
and conduct small-scale animal studies.
For this, there is a pilot line that processes
feed and ingredients at about two tonnes
per hour and can be used in the many
animal research facilities at universities.
Once the processing method has been
thoroughly tested, it can be processed in
the industrial line, which is a large-scale
feed mill capable of producing commercial
feed at 20 tonnes per hour. At the Centre,
undergraduate students receive training
in the basics of feed manufacturing in the
commercial line. Meanwhile, graduate
students use the lab and pilot lines to
conduct research and find new solutions
to real-world needs.
This is just one of many examples of
how research in our agricultural uni-
versities not only looks for possibilities
and dares to dream, but also turns those
possibilities into real-world solutions that
are valued by the industry.
Rex Newkirk, PhD, is an associate professor
in the department of animal and poultry
science at the University of Saskatchewan.
Spring
2016
Grains
West
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