b'LAST RESPECTSD.J. BING HELPED MAKE PLANT PROTEIN A REALITY, ONE PEA VARIETY AT A TIMEThe Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada breeder developed high-performing field peas that improved protein, standability, and disease tolerance across Western Canada.By Marc ZienkiewiczWESTERN CANADAS pulse breeding community is mourning the loss of Dr. Dengjin D.J. Bing, the longtime Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) field pea breeder whose varieties shaped farms, strengthened markets, and earned the trust of growers across the Prairies.Based at the AAFC Lacombe Research and Development Centre, Bing spent decades advancing field pea genet-ics, developing high-performing varie-ties that combined strong protein levels, improved standability, and enhanced disease tolerance. His work became foundational to Albertas pulse sector and influential across Canadas broader pea industry.D.J. Bing (second from right) at a conference in Australia with colleagues Robyne Davidson, Stan A Breeder Whose Varieties Delivered Blade and Tom Warkentin. Photo courtesy Robyne DavidsonVarieties such as AAC Carver, AAC Chrome, AAC Julius and AAC Profitjust down to earth, she says. He was aDavidson saw firsthand his patience and were widely adopted across Albertavery quiet guy. He didnt talk much. Hementorship.farms. Bing focused on traits that mat- wasnt extremely social. If you saw him atI would ask lots of questions, and he tered both agronomically and economi- meetings, youd see him there, hed havewould always stop and take the time to cally: improved protein levels, strongera friendly conversation with you andexplain things, she says. If he needed standability to reduce lodging, andusually go. He very rarely attended theanything from you, he was very thankful enhanced disease tolerance. big social events. He just kind of kept toand appreciative. He was always, Can I Yet those who worked alongside Binghimself. help you? What can I help you with? He say his impact extended well beyond theBut when it came to breeding, Bingswas just a really great guy to work with.varieties that bore his programs name. dedication was unmistakable.Robyne Davidson, research scientistColleagues remember him as some- Respected at the Registration Tablein applied research at Lakeland Collegeone uninterested in the limelight,Tom Warkentin, field pea breeder at the in Lacombe, first met Bing in 2003focused instead on results. University of Saskatchewan, interacted when Alberta Agriculture arranged aHe was not interested in the spot- with Bing regularly at variety registration joint agreement that brought him fromlight at all, Davidson says. He justmeetings, technical advisory groups and Morden, Man., to Lacombe. At the time,did his work and focused on his family.scientific conferences.she was a technician working in plantThats what mattered to himhisPeople respected his opinions, his pathology. family and his work. expertise and his leadership, Warkentin What stood out immediately to herDuring a challenging period whensays. D.J. was a gentleman too, and a was Bings quiet focus. departmental changes left the twofriend. It was really nice to work with I really liked D.J. because he wasworking closely together in the field,him. 28 SEEDWORLD.COM/CANADA MARCH 2026'