Two people who have played key roles in agricultural development on the
Prairies have been named members of the Order of Canada.
Livestock nutrition scientist David Christiansen and farm activist Roy
Atkinson received the awards earlier this month.
Christensen’s work at the University of Saskatchewan has improved dairy
cattle nutrition in Canada and around the globe. The professor has
taken his research to 25 countries since he began work as an assistant
professor in 1965.
One of the benefits of Christensen’s work was the discovery of regional
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trace mineral deficiencies in western Canadian soils. Cattle often
suffered from disease as a result of deficiencies in mineral content of
feed plant matter. The professor developed a solution for farmers.
He and his students created a system of distribution for mineral
supplements through rural veterinary practices that delivered
regionally targeted minerals to producers.
He also identified, with a team from Western Canada, the market
opportunity in Japan for dried alfalfa and forages.
Christensen remains an adviser to the federal Prairie Farm
Rehabilitation Administration for dairy projects in China.
He became a full professor in 1976 and was head of the Animal and
Poultry Science department for 11 years ending in 1994.
He began his relationship with the U of S in Saskatoon as an
undergraduate in 1954 and will retire next year.
Robert Roy Atkinson, or Roy as he better known, has been an outspoken
advocate on behalf of his farming profession for 60 years.
Atkinson, of Landis, has worked to defend the family farm and
co-operative developments.
He has served as a director of Federated Co-operatives, president of
the Saskatchewan and National Farmer’s Unions, has served on the
Canadian Wheat Board for more than 20 years and has served as a member
of the Economic Council of Canada.
