FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Naming of New Seed Varieties will Honour Veterans
Regina, SK, June 14, 2021 – FP Genetics Inc. and The Royal Canadian Legion, Saskatchewan Command, are excited to announce the name of the third veteran chosen in our variety naming collaboration that serves to honour veterans and highlight the sacrifices they have made in service of community and country.
Major Frederick Edward Hodge was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba in 1919. Frederick Hodge was living in Norwood, Manitoba working as an assistant chief clerk for the Canadian National Railway and joined The Royal Winnipeg Rifles in 1938. Hodge went overseas in 1941 and was a Major during the Second World War. In the first wave of landings on D-Day, June 6, 1944 Hodge along with 31 other men were captured and executed at point blank range. Hodge Bay on Coutts Lake, Manitoba is named in his honour and is commemorated at the Beny-sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery in France.
The official variety name is AAC Hodge VB, which is the highest-yielding CWRS line to come through the registration process. This midge tolerant line was bred by Dr. Santosh Kumar at the Brandon Research & Development Centre of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Brandon, Manitoba.
The legislation that applies to naming plant varieties operates on the principle of “One Variety- One Name.” This affords a unique, timeless and global opportunity to recognize veterans for their contributions to Canada by naming new crop varieties in their honour. If you know of any worthy applicants or deserving members, please visit sasklegion.ca to fill out an application form.
This is currently the third variety to be named after a veteran as part of this program, with more to come in the following weeks.
The Royal Canadian Legion, Saskatchewan Command, serves veterans and the communities in which it operates through advocacy work for the care and benefit of all who have served Canada. The Legion provides representation, services, and assistance to veterans at no cost. The Legion understands the importance of honouring past sacrifices and acknowledging the courage of those who served and still serve today.
Wholly owned by more than 160 local seed growers, FP Genetics is dedicated to providing superior seed genetics to Western Canadian farmers. FP Genetics has developed an industry-leading portfolio of more than 60 certified seed varieties of various crop types, including wheat, durum, barley, oats, flax, pulses, and hybrid fall rye.
For more information, please contact:
Chris Churko Chief Executive Officer FP Genetics Inc. 306.791.1045 cchurko@fpgenetics.ca
Chad Wagner Provincial Executive Director Royal Canadian Legion, Saskatchewan Command 306-525-8739 ped@sasklegion.ca