USRA Members and Awards Celebration

Jun 26, 2026

Dr. Peter Butt, a retired clinical associate professor of family medicine, has significantly shaped medical education, policy, and practice in Saskatchewan, expanding physician services across northern Saskatchewan and playing a leading role provincially and nationally as an addiction medicine expert. Over his more than 30-year career, his work at USask and within the provincial health system has advanced compassionate, evidence‑based care for individuals and communities affected by substance use disorders. A strong advocate for Indigenous health, he has strengthened pathways toward health equity, cross-cultural understanding, and reconciliation, making a meaningful and lasting contribution to Indigenous people and their communities.

As Dr. Butt was unable to attend the awards celebration, he will be presented with his award at the fall USRA Annual General Meeting.

Continuing Contribution Award: Dr. Lea Pennock

This award recognizes and expresses appreciation to persons who have retired from the university, but have continued to make research, scholarly, artistic or service contributions, whether associated with their previous work, at an exceptional level.

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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.