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Agriculture Minister MacAulay appoints new chief commissioner of the CGC

Patricia Miller will lead the CGC as of Feb. 13

By Diego Flammini
Assistant Editor, North American Content
Farms.com

The Canadian Grain Commission (CGC) has a new chief commissioner and her name is Patricia (Patti) Miller.

Minister of Agriculture Lawrence MacAulay made the announcement on Tuesday. Miller’s six-year term begins on Feb. 13.

"I am pleased to announce the appointment of Patti Miller to the Canadian Grain Commission,” MacAulay said in a release. “Patti has a wealth of experience in the sector and her passion for agriculture will be of great benefit to the Commission’s work.”

As the chief commissioner, Miller will help set the CGC’s direction, establish policy, and administer and enforce the Canada Grain Act.

Canada’s grain organizations echo the Agriculture Minister’s sentiments that Miller is the right candidate for the position.


Patti Miller
Photo: Canola Council of Canada

“Patti is highly respected across the agriculture and agri-food industry”, Jeff Nielsen, president, Grain Growers of Canada, said in a release. “Her extensive experience and strong understanding of the needs of farmers helps provide some reassurance that the Commission will remain a reliable organization during this time of transition.”

Miller’s appointment still leaves the positions of assistant chief commissioner and commissioner, vacant.

In the release, Nielsen urged Minister MacAulay to fill the positions before the next crop year.

Farms.com has reached out to Grain Farmers of Ontario for comments on Miller’s appointment.

About Patricia Miller

  • Joined the Canola Council of Canada in April 2012 as president,
  • Spent time with AAFC in Winnipeg managing large-scale program delivery,
  • Was the communications manager with a multi-national agri-food company in Winnipeg, and
  • Holds an M.Sc. in agricultural economics from the University of Saskatchewan.

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The FCDC and AgSmart Bring Plant Breeding to a Wider Audience

Video: The FCDC and AgSmart Bring Plant Breeding to a Wider Audience

In the vast prairies of Alberta, Olds College’s Field Crop Development Centre (FCDC) stands as a beacon of innovation and research in the agricultural world. The institution has become a key player in advancing agricultural technologies and practices. The FCDC’s commitment to applied research has driven them to seek effective means of disseminating their findings and creating a positive impact on the farming community.

One such avenue that aligns with their mission is AgSmart, an event dedicated to showcasing cutting-edge agricultural technologies. The coming together of the FCDC’s annual Field Day and Ag Smart has proved to be a natural fit, fostering a synergy that benefits both parties and propels the agriculture industry forward. The FCDC Field Day took part in conjunction with AgSmart for the first time this week on Aug. 1-2 in Olds, Alta. FCDC Program Director Kofi Agblor and Olds College VP of Development Todd Ormann sat down for an interview with Marc Zienkiewicz to discuss the significance of the two events taking part together and what the future holds.

The Intersection of Research and Technology The essence of the FCDC lies in its dedication to plant breeding and new seed varieties, particularly barley and triticale. While conducting research is essential, it becomes meaningful when its benefits are shared with the wider community. This is where AgSmart steps in, providing a key venue for the FCDC to showcase their research. This union between research and technology creates a holistic and enriching experience for farmers, ranchers, and industry professionals, the pair said.

Seeds as Technology For the FCDC, the partnership with AgSmart goes beyond mere event collaboration. It is about creating an environment that bridges the gap between seeds and smart technology, Ormann said. The college believes that for technology to truly revolutionize agriculture, it must begin with a strong foundation — high-quality seeds. As the saying goes, “it all starts with a seed.” To demonstrate this critical aspect, the collaboration aims to showcase the seed value chain as an integral part of the smartphone.

The Birth of a Powerful Alliance The idea of joining forces emerged when staff realized the potential synergy between AgSmart and the FCDC Field Day. With just a few days separating the two events, a proposal was put forward to merge them. The marketing and communications teams from both sides worked seamlessly to ensure the essence of both events remained intact, creating a powerful alliance that leverages the strengths of each, Agblor said.

Driving Advancements in Breeding For Agblor, the partnership with AgSmart has tremendous potential to drive advancements in breeding and other technology. With technologies like drones and imaging becoming integral to phenotyping, breeding is no longer confined to vast fields to assess thousands of plants manually. Instead, it benefits from the data-rich insights brought about by smart technologies. These advancements make breeding more efficient, precise, and instrumental in shaping the future of agriculture.

Overcoming Challenges Together While the partnership between Olds College and Ag Smart has been a resounding success, there are challenges on the horizon. Securing stable funding for long-term breeding initiatives is crucial to sustain progress. The college is committed to navigating these challenges and investing in agriculture’s future sustainably, Agblor said.

 

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