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Don’t Move the Quota

Letter Asks DFO to Not Allow UoG to Move the Kemptville College Dairy Quota to Elora

By Amanda Brodhagen, Farms.com

Members of the Eastern Ontario farming community are trying to keep the dairy herd and quota attached to the Dairy Education and Innovation Centre at Kemptville College  in the region.

Concerns about losing the robotic dairy facility were raised after the University of Guelph announced this spring that it would be closing the agricultural institution by 2015. The fairly new dairy centre is only three years old and opened on May 27, 2011.

Shortly following the announcement, university officials expressed that it planned to move the college’s dairy quota to its state-of-the-art $25-million dairy facility in Elora, Ont. The dairy centre is in the midst of being built and is expected to open sometime in 2014.

A group which formed to devise a solution to continue agriculture programing at Kempville College is asking Dairy Farmers of Ontario (DFO) to interfere and not grant the university permission to transfer the quota over to Elora.

“We are trying to stop the cows and quota from leaving there because it’s one of the most important parts of the college,” Marty Derks Vice-Chair of the Kempvillge College Task Force said in an interview.

The letter dated April 2, 2014 addressed to Bill Emmott, Chair of DFO highlights the importance of maintaining a dairy research barn in Eastern Ontario.

“The Task Force is of the view that this dairy herd, and associated quota, is a keystone element in maintaining a sustainable agricultural education program at Kemptville and trust that the Dairy Farmers of Ontario would be in agreement with this objective,” the letter said.

The quota is owned by DFO and was provided to the university for the purpose of research and education. DFO says it plans to wait to hear about future plans associated with Kemptville before making a decision on the quota.

"DFO has requested details from The University of Guelph's decision regarding the closing of the University of Guelph's Kemptville and Alfred campuses. The concerns of the producers are being addressed by the Board and Staff at DFO,” Bill Emmott DFO Chair said in an emailed statement.

Meetings have been scheduled with University of Guelph officials and local stakeholders to discuss the quota situation. Emmott says DFO will “not be rushed into any decision” until more information about the status of Kemptvillge College becomes available.
 


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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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