b'William Pellinger, a pulse breeder with Limagrain (UK) Ltd., visually evaluates the performance of the companys varieties in Canada. PHOTO: ROB MCMORRIS PHOTOGRAPHYRelated to Bings researchhe is testing high protein linesyear and a half, he has started characterization of pulse crops of 28 to 30 per cent protein in a variety of locations in Albertafor this market. Because high fibre and high starch levels are not to ensure varieties will deliver acceptable yieldsis thatdesirable in pet food, processing to minimize these components conducted by Jay Han, senior food scientist with AFs Foodand maximize the bioavailability of the protein through Processing Development Centre, says Walker. Han is focused oncost-efficient technologies is critical. Vasanthans research is achieving a milder pea flavour and tailoring pea characteristicssupported by funding from APG. to address processors desires, and he is working with variousWalker concludes that while the protein content of pea crops processors on this. isnt currently increasing sale prices for farmers, strong demand Also, according to Walker, Lingyun Chen, professor andfor pulse ingredients in human and pet food could very well see Canada research chair in the Faculty of Agricultural Lifethem increase in future. Understanding what to grow where and Environmental Sciences at the University of Alberta, isfor specific end-markets may soon provide farmers with closed carrying out research funded by APG to examine value-addedloop contract opportunities, and grower organizations want applications for pulse proteins (pea, lentil and faba beans)to be sure that we have the agronomic knowledge to support in human foods. Chen notes that processors are focused onconsistent supply of highly-desired product. getting high protein yields from the extraction process, but sheAPG chair, Don Shepert, believes there is a lot of potential is also investigating how processing can change pulse proteinfor growers to be rewarded for choosing to grow peas or lentils structure and how this can be optimized to ensure processorswith specific quality attributes for specific companies, but are getting desired structural characteristics.adds that, yield and disease resistance will always be key to Another researcher in the pulse protein sphere identified bybreeding programs that are focused on the whole seed markets Walker is U of A professor Thava Vasanthan, who developedwhere farmers get paid based on tonnage of product.cost-effective Air Currents-Assisted Particle Separation (ACAPS)He also says that while changes to grading systems are often technology several years ago.a point of discussion, until there are clear guidelines on the Vasanthan believes that as the fractionation is refined andneeds of specialty markets, it will be difficult to put new grading the manufacturing process improved, pulse crops stand a goodparameters in place.chance of growing their footprint in the multi-billion-dollar Treena HeinNorth American pet food market, says Walker. Over the past 12seed.ab.ca'