Keith Downey (agricultural scientist)

Richard Keith Downey
Born (1927-01-26) January 26, 1927
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Occupation agricultural scientist

Richard Keith Downey, OC FRSC (born January 26, 1927) is a Canadian agricultural scientist and, as one of the originators of canola, became known as the "Father of Canola".

Born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, In 1951 he received a B.S.A. and in 1952 a M.Sc. from the University of Saskatchewan. He received his Ph.D. from Cornell University in 1961. In 1951 he started working for Agriculture Canada, becoming in 1993 a Senior Research Scientist Emeritus. In 1993, he started his own firm and is President of Canoglobe Consulting Inc.[1]

He worked with Baldur Stefansson to develop a variety of rapeseed that could be used as an edible oil.[2] This is known as canola and is one of Canada’s top edible oils and one of the largest oilseed crops in the world. He is the breeder and co-breeder of 13 rapeseed/canola varieties and five condiment mustard varieties.

In 1998, "Downey Street" at a research and development park in Saskatoon was named in his honour.

Honours

References

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