Dynasty bean wins innovation of the year

Jan 15, 2025
By Jean-Paul McDonald
Assistant Editor, North American Content, Farms.com

Dynasty bean awarded U of G innovation of the year

Dynasty, a dark red kidney bean developed by the University of Guelph, has earned the 2024 Innovation of the Year award. This high-yield, disease-resistant variety has become a top choice for growers in Ontario and North America due to its adaptability and strong performance.

The award, presented by the University’s Office of Research and the Research Innovation, recognizes innovations that positively impact communities and industries.

“At the University of Guelph, we develop innovations that benefit both our communities and the agri-food industry,” says Dr. Shayan Sharif, interim vice-president (research and innovation).“The success of Dynasty reflects our commitment to research excellence and collaboration, bringing high-yield, disease-resistant crops to market while supporting farmers and advancing sustainable agriculture.”

Dynasty was developed by Dr. Peter Pauls, a professor in the Department of Plant Agriculture at the Ontario Agricultural College, along with research technician Tom Smith. The project began in the early 2000s with retired researcher Dr. Tom Michaels, who initiated the cross that led to Dynasty.

After Michaels’ left the University, Pauls took over the dry bean breeding program and, with support from Ontario Bean Growers and Hensall District Co-operative Inc., brought Dynasty to market.

Hensall Co-op has played a vital role in the success of Dynasty, contracting farmers, packaging the beans, and marketing them internationally. The collaboration with Ontario Bean Growers has also been essential in promoting bean consumption and supporting research initiatives.

Developed at the Ontario Crops Research Centre in Elora, Dynasty was initially created for Ontario producers but has shown impressive adaptability in Michigan as well. The beans resulted from a complex breeding process that increased genetic diversity, leading to a 15% yield improvement.

Pauls and his team have also released a new variety, Gallantry, derived from a Dynasty cross. Gallantry matures a day earlier and offers an additional 2.7% yield improvement, making it suitable for cooler or shorter-season regions.

Receiving the Innovation of the Year award recognizes the collective efforts of the research team, partnerships, and infrastructure that made Dynasty’s success possible.

Photo: Dr. Peter Pauls and research technician Tom Smith with Dynasty kidney beans.

Photo Credit: University of Guelph

Video: Dicamba Returns for Georgia Farmers: What the New EPA Ruling Means for Cotton Growers

After being unavailable in 2024 due to registration issues, dicamba products are returning for Georgia farmers this growing season — but under strict new conditions.

In this report from Tifton, Extension Weed Specialist Stanley Culpepper explains the updated EPA ruling, including new application limits, mandatory training requirements, and the need for a restricted use pesticide license. Among the key changes: a cap of two ½-pound applications per year and the required use of an approved volatility reduction agent with every application.

For Georgia cotton producers, the ruling is significant. According to Taylor Sills with the Georgia Cotton Commission, the vast majority of cotton planted in the state carries the dicamba-tolerant trait — meaning farmers had been paying for technology they couldn’t use.

While environmental groups have expressed concerns over spray drift, Georgia growers have reduced off-target pesticide movement by more than 91% over the past decade. Still, this two-year registration period will come with increased scrutiny, making stewardship and compliance more important than ever.