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Energy The Next Valuable Farm Crop?

Farm Credit Canada Report Highlights How Energy is an Opportunity for Agriculture

By , Farms.com

Have you ever thought to yourself – what can I do to add more value to my farm? The answer might be energy!

According to a report released by Farm Credit Canada (FCC), the evolving energy landscape means that there is a unique opportunity for Canadian agriculture.  The FCC report says that Canada’s agriculture industry “is in a unique position to meet changing global energy demands.”

“Two things are for certain,” says Kellie Garrett, Senior Vice-President of Strategy, Knowledge and Reputation with FCC. “One, the global population continues to grow, and two, this growth means an increased need for food and affordable energy to sustain us. Agriculture depends on energy and also has the ability to produce it. “

Experts predict that in less than 40 years, the world will need 70 per cent more food to feed a projected global population of nine billion people.  With that in mind, FCC also predicts that the technological breakthroughs will bring a mix of renewable and non-renewable energy sources which will complement the increased demand for not only food but fuel.

While bringing renewable energy projects to your farm can be an opportunity - it should also be preceded with caution, because adding an energy crop to your farm can be risky.  The FCC report suggests that producers need to understand the tension between the need for sustainability and profitability and how that relationship will have an impact on future agriculture energy trends. 

The FCC report says farmers should be monitoring trends in three key areas:

1.Innovations in science and technology
2.Changing policies and principles
3.Volatile markets

“Never has Canadian agriculture mattered more to Canada and the world,” Garrett says. “And, nothing is better than sharing knowledge and learning from others in the industry."

The latest issue of FCC's Knowledge Insider (www.fcc.ca/insider) shares insights about how farmers and agribusinesses can prepare for success in a changing energy world.  More information can be found on their website at www.fcc-fac.ca


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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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