Ontario Grain Farmer February 2021

Cover story 6 A lasting impact TWO UNIVERSITY OF GUELPH RESEARCHERS RETIRE Rebecca Hannam • Deen was hired as an associate professor in 2000. His focus was on cropping systems. • Deen says rotation diversity is likely the research area where he had the most productivity over the years. • Deen calls the long-term field trials at the Elora Crop Research Station the highlight of his career. • Nitrogen (N) management in corn is another area of research where Deen stands out. WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW WITH NEARLY SIX decades of combined experience in crop science research at the University of Guelph, two prominent faculty members have recently announced their retirements. Dr. Bill Deen and Dr. Art Schaafsma formally retired from their respective roles as associate professor and professor in the department of Plant Agriculture last October. Both of them have been recognized provincially, nationally, and internationally for their numerous teaching and research contributions. DR. BILL DEEN When Dr. Bill Deen was asked to apply for the cropping systems position at the University of Guelph’s main campus in 2000, it caught him by surprise. He had just completed his PhD in weed science and crop physiology and was working at the Ridgetown Campus but didn’t feel he was qualified for the job. He thought his background was too diverse — he had worked in the crop protection industry, obtained a master’s degree in economics, and worked in policy at the George Morris Centre. But in hindsight, Deen thinks his varied experience is likely what spurred his colleagues’ ask. “When you’re working in systems, diversity matters,” he says. Deen was ultimately successful in the hiring competition and maintained the associate professor role until retirement. Over the course of 20 years, he says he often referred to his economics and policy background and contacts in the business sector. Deen’s role included teaching undergraduate and graduate courses, leading research, and conducting extension activities. As a faculty member, he had the longest association with the cropping systems course for fourth year undergraduate students. It is the only course he taught consecutively for 20 years and the one he enjoyed most, partially because of how many past students he now sees directly involved in Ontario agriculture. University alumni aside, Deen is best known for his accomplishments as a researcher. The overall objective of his research was to develop agroecosystems that are both productive and sustainable. He focused on the mechanisms underlying carbon cycling, nutrient cycling, and yield as influenced by crop species, tillage, cover crops, and crop rotation. RESEARCH ADVANCEMENTS “When I first arrived at the University, there was a lot of discussion about soil carbon sequestration and water quality. It was surprising how much of that discussion revolved around no-till systems,” says Deen. “Now we’re recognizing that when we’re talking about soil health, soil carbon, and water quality, it’s not just a tillage issue — it's a systems issue. I’d like to think some of the early work we did on tillage systems played a role in informing that discussion.” The evolution of cover crops tells a similar story. In Deen’s early years as a researcher, there was interest in cover crops but not a lot of adoption aside from some farmers using red clover. “It seemed like we were doing all of this work and not impacting adoption,” he recalls. “In recent years, red clover usage is down but there’s a lot of interest and increasing DR. BILL DEEN. PHOTO COURTESY OF UNIVERSITY OF GUELPH.