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Federal Government invests in Atlantic Grains Council

Investment is more than $700,000

By Diego Flammini, Farms.com

In an effort to improve quality and output of grains and oilseeds produced in Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick, the federal government is investing in the Atlantic Grains Council (AGC).

The investment, worth $792,064 will be used to conduct field trials. The trials will investigate ways to boost corn and soybean yields, solidify effective fungicide use and identify agronomic and weather factors that can possibly affect yields.

Corn and soybean

"I am very appreciative of our producers contributing to the research check-off fund, which has enabled the Atlantic Grains Council to partner with the federal and provincial governments to move forward with this important project,” said Allan Ling, Chair of the AGC. Our research is based on our producers' priorities and allows us to focus the region's research capacity, including Dal-AC and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada scientists, on these needs. I want to thank producers, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and the Atlantic Provinces for all working together with us to sustain and grow our grain and oilseed industry in the region."

Here’s how the provinces compare in corn and soybean acreage according to Stats Canada.

Prince Edward Island
Soybean acres increased 351% since 2006 to 51,116 acres in 2011.
Corn acres have increased 151% since 2006 to 5,082 acres in 2011.

Nova Scotia
Corn acres increased 77% since 2006 to 13,701 acres in 2011.
Soybean acres are around 8,776.

New Brunswick
Corn acreage increased 142% since 2006 to 10,611 acres in 2011.
Soybean acres increased by 462% since 2006 to 10,600 acres in 2011.

"The grains and oilseeds sector is an important driver of the economy here in Atlantic Canada and across the country,” said Federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz. “This investment will boost producers' bottom lines as well as contribute to the long-term sustainability of the sector in the Atlantic region.”

Tell us your thoughts about the Canadian government investing in corn and soybean production in Atlantic Canada.


Trending Video

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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