By all accounts, Dave Hansen’s career in agriculture wasn’t something he planned for. “Dave’s journey into the industry was serendipitous,” says Rob Graf, retired wheat breeder and science advisor for SeedNet. “He had his sights set on joining the RCMP after finishing school, but fate intervened, and he found himself working as a grain elevator helper. Little did he know this detour would turn into a 47-year adventure that reshaped parts of the Canadian agricultural landscape.”
Graf paid tribute to Hansen in Calgary yesterday as Hansen took the stage at the annual meeting of the Alberta-British Columbia Seed Growers to accept the ABCSG Lifetime Achievement Award.
Hansen’s early years in the industry saw him working as a grain trader, where he built deep connections with farmers and immersed himself in producer groups like the provincial canola growers associations, the Western Barley Growers Association, and the Western Wheat Growers Association. Those relationships proved invaluable when he joined Condie Seed in Winnipeg during the 1980s. “Dave played a pivotal role in the early development of canola hybrids,” Graf noted. “Many people will remember Hyola 401—one of the industry’s first successful hybrid canola varieties, which he helped bring to life.”
From there, Hansen’s influence only grew. Over the next two decades, he worked across numerous seed companies and organizations, guiding developments in breeding, regulatory frameworks, variety registration, and marketing. “Dave’s leadership was instrumental in shaping the hybrid seed sector,” said Graf. “His work touched almost every corner of the industry, from provincial grower associations to the Prairie Grain Development Committee and the Canadian Seed Growers’ Association.”
In the early 2000s, Hansen took his expertise overseas, managing DPL’s cotton seed business in China for six years. Upon returning to Canada, he became CEO of Canterra Seeds, a role he held for 14 years. During his tenure, he brokered a landmark partnership with Limagrain, which led to the creation of Limagrain Cereals Research Canada (LCRC).
Reflecting on this milestone, Hansen said, “When we signed the contract to create LCRC in 2015, it was a commitment to align with the needs of Canadian agriculture. It’s been 10 years, and now we’re starting to see the fruits of that investment. Breeding takes time, but I truly believe LCRC will be a critical part of solving the challenges we face.”
Hansen also highlighted the creation of the first public-private partnership for CPS wheat breeding as a defining moment in his career. “That 3P agreement in Alberta was groundbreaking,” Hansen said. “It showed what’s possible when government and industry come together. It’s a model I hope others will build on.”
For Hansen, the heart of his career has always been the people. “What stands out most are the farmers and colleagues I’ve met along the way,” he shared. “Whether it’s walking fields in China or talking about weather and labor challenges with farmers in Australia, the themes are universal. Agriculture connects us in ways that transcend borders.”
As he accepted recognition for his contributions, Hansen reflected on the evolution of the industry. “From the early days of transitioning rapeseed to canola, to the rise of herbicide tolerance and hybrid canola production, the seed industry has come a long way,” he said. “Sometimes progress feels slow, like watching paint dry, but the opportunities ahead are enormous.”
Though officially retired, Hansen remains deeply connected to the industry. “You never really leave this world—it’s in your heart,” he said. “The friendships and shared passions keep bringing you back. I see so much potential in the next generation of leaders. The mix of experience and fresh perspectives in this room gives me hope for the future of agriculture.”
Hansen’s final words of advice? “Celebrate the successes, but don’t stop pushing forward. We’re facing turbulent times, but this industry has always thrived on resilience and collaboration. The solutions are in this room—with the people who share the same dedication to agriculture that has defined my life.”
