Richard Keith Downey, (born January 26, 1927) is a Canadian agricultural scientist known for plant breeding and, as one of the originators of canola. His pioneering research has made him known as the "Father of Canola".
Education
Born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, In 1951 he received a B.S.A. and in 1952 an M.Sc. from the University of Saskatchewan. He received his Ph.D. from Cornell University in 1961 and also received an honorary Doctor of Science degree from the University of Saskatchewan in 1994. In 1993, he started his own firm and is president of Canoglobe Consulting Inc.
Downey worked with Baldur Stefansson to develop a variety of rapeseed with low ratios of potentially harmful erucic acid and glucosinolates that could be used as an edible oil.
Canola crop was first grown during World War II on the prairies to make industrial oil for the war effort, used as a lubricant on steam-powered ships and trains. His oilseed improvement expertise has been shared around the world with missions to Pakistan, India, Ethiopia, Chile, Argentina, Poland, Egypt, and Australia. A highly significant increase in germination rate was observed when compared to canola seeds that were left on earth.
- 2002 Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal
- 2016 Saskatchewan Order of Merit
- 2017 Canola Influencer Award, SaskCanola