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Obama Admin Increases USDA Agri Food Research

Three scientific societies praise the Obama administration’s commitment to doubling funding for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA). “We need cutting-edge science to meet 21st century challenges in public health, food production, national security, and global competitiveness,” says Ellen Bergfeld.
 
The American Society of Agronomy (ASA), Crop Science Society of America (CSSA), and the Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) made these comments after learning of the budget planned for the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI). Bergfeld is the CEO of ASA, CSSA, and SSSA.
 
In a February 3 announcement, Secretary Vilsack highlighted the administration’s fiscal year 2017 proposal to invest $700 million in AFRI. This is the full amount authorized by Congress in the 2008 Farm Bill. AFRI is currently funded at $350 million.
 
“We hope Congress meets the President’s challenge to double AFRI funding,” says Harold van Es, President of SSSA. “We all benefit from more research that is helping to bring solutions to the food, agriculture, and natural resource challenges facing us today and into the future.”
 
“A fully-funded AFRI will attract the future generation of scientists and advance innovations benefiting all Americans,” says Bergfeld.
 
Food, agriculture, and natural resources research has been woefully underfunded, according to the societies. Every year, over half of AFRI’s research grant proposals rated as highly innovative go unfunded due to budget constraints within the agency. In FY 2014, only $270 million of the $1.1 billion in projects recommended for funding by AFRI’s review panels received support.
 
The American Society of Agronomy is a progressive international scientific society that fosters the transfer of knowledge and practices to sustain global agronomy. Based in Madison, WI, ASA is the professional home for 8,000+ members and 14,000+ certified professionals (Certified Crop Advisers and Certified Professional Agronomists) dedicated to advancing the field of agronomy. The Society provides information about agronomy in relation to soils, crop production, environmental quality, ecosystem sustainability, bioremediation, waste management, recycling, and wise land use.
 
The Crop Science Society of America (CSSA) is a progressive international scientific society that fosters the mission of plant science for a better world. Based in Madison, WI, and founded in 1956, CSSA is the professional home for 5,000+ members dedicated to advancing the field of crop science. Society members are dedicated to the conservation and wise use of natural resources to produce food, feed, fiber, fuel, and pharmaceutical crops while maintaining and improving the environment.
 
The Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) is a progressive international scientific society that fosters the transfer of knowledge and practices to sustain global soils. Based in Madison, WI, and founded in 1936, SSSA is the professional home for 6,000+ members and 1,000+ certified professionals dedicated to advancing the field of soil science. The Society provides information about soils in relation to crop production, environmental quality, ecosystem sustainability, bioremediation, waste management, recycling, and wise land use.
 
Source : Crop Science

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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.