Honouring a Canola Champion: Stephen Strelkov Wins 2025 Canola Award of Excellence

Feb 20, 2025

At last week’s CropConnect Conference banquet in Winnipeg, the Manitoba Canola Growers Association (MCGA) celebrated a giant in canola research. Dr. Stephen Strelkov, professor of plant pathology at the University of Alberta, was awarded the 2025 Canola Award of Excellence for his groundbreaking work on clubroot — one of the biggest threats to canola production.

“Without Dr. Strelkov’s contributions, Manitoba’s canola acres would have suffered a far greater impact from clubroot,” says MCGA Chair Warren Ellis. “His research on understanding the disease and developing genetic resistance has given growers the tools they need to fight back.”

For Strelkov, the recognition is deeply meaningful. “It’s an incredible honour, especially coming from a grower organization,” he says. “Knowing our research has made a real impact in the field makes this award even more special.”

But Strelkov’s influence extends beyond research — he’s also shaping the future of plant pathology. Over 21 years, he has mentored 44 graduate students and is currently guiding 12 more, ensuring that the next generation is equipped to tackle clubroot and other emerging challenges.

Click here to see more...

Video: Residue Management

Residue Management conservation practice manages the amount, orientation, and distribution of crop and other plant residue on the soil surface year-round while limiting soil-disturbing activities used to grow and harvest crops in systems where the field surface is tilled prior to planting. This video explores how Ryan McKenzie implemented this conservation practice on his farm in Samson, Alabama.

Practice benefits:

• Increases organic matter

• Improves air quality

• Decreases energy costs

• Reduces erosion

• Improves soil health

The Conservation at Work video series was created to increase producer awareness of common conservation practices and was filmed at various locations throughout the country. Because conservation plans are specific to the unique resource needs on each farm and also soil type, weather conditions, etc., these videos were designed to serve as a general guide to the benefits of soil and water conservation and landowners should contact their local USDA office for individual consultation.