goulden_cyril

Dr. Cyril H. Goulden

While serving as officer-in-charge of the cereal breeding division of the Dominion Rust Research Laboratory, 1925-1948, Dr. Goulden led a team of geneticists and plan breeders intent on developing varieties of wheat resistant to stem rust. This team succeeded in producing some excellent breeding materials, a wealth of information in the area of cereal genetics, and a few disease-resistant varieties.

As chief of the cereal crops division, 1948-1955, he directed Agriculture Canada’s cereal research. This program resulted in the production of several well-known varieties of cereals, the most highly regarded being Abegweit oats, a variety popular in Prince Edward Island; Rodney oats, widely grown in western Canada and Ontario; Chinook, a sawfly-resistant wheat, and perhaps most important, Selkirk wheat, a variety that has given excellent protection against stem rust.

During his tenure of office as director of Experimental Farms, 1955-1959, Dr. Goulden was one of the principal architects of the Research Branch of Agriculture Canada, and directed its activities during its formative years. Plans for developing a major animal research centre in the green belt area around Ottawa had their beginnings under his leadership.

Shortly after retiring in 1962, he was chosen to serve as project officer for the agricultural exhibit at Expo ’67.

In recognition of his contribution to agricultural science, he received an LL.D. from the University of Saskatchewan, and a D.Sc. from the University of Manitoba.

The Saskatchewan government paid tribute to him by naming one of its lakes as Lake Goulden.

Nominated By:
  • Agricultural Institute of Canada