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Quebec ag start-up receives federal investment

Quebec ag start-up receives federal investment

Inocucor will use the investment to develop a new fertilizer for cash croppers

By Diego Flammini
News Reporter
Farms.com

A Montreal, Que. fertilizer start-up will use a $2.5-million investment from the federal government to develop a new product for corn, soybean, canola and wheat producers.

The new fertilizer, called Synergro Free, is still a few years away from commercialization, but early field trials indicate farmers could see significant yield increases, according to Don Marvin, CEO of Inocucor.

“We’ve seen anywhere from the mid-single-digit to low-double-digit percentage (yield increases),” Marvin told Farms.com today. “An increase along those lines is rather significant because it’s all about getting an economic return to the grower.”

Growers can apply Synergro Free via a tank mix with herbicides in-farrow or post-emergence. Synergro Free can also be used as a seed treatment.

Inocucor already has a fertilizer on the market called Synergro. A total of 10 microbes make up the product’s formulation.

Synergro Free is a similar product but there are some nuances that set the two fertilizers apart.

“Synergro Free has the same fermentation process as Synergro,” Marvin said. “But at the end of the fermentation process, we remove all of the microbes and concentrate the molecules produced during fermentation that are responsible for stimulating the plant and increasing yield.”

Inocucor received the investment from Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC), an arm’s-length foundation of the Canadian Government.

The investment shows farmers that the government is committed to seeing the ag industry grow, Marvin says.

“Developing agricultural products is an expensive process to go through,” he said. “Having the financial backing of SDTC is extremely important to the company to allow us to accelerate the development of Synergro Free. We’re honoured to receive its support.”


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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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