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FarmTech Foundation of Alberta Postpones 2022 Conference

Calgary, AB - After careful consideration due to growing concerns over Covid-19 and the announcement of the risk of a fifth wave in our province, the FarmTech Foundation of Alberta is postponing its 2022 conference. The health and safety of our hosts, sponsors, employees and attendees are our highest priority.

The decision was made after consultation with our hosts, Alberta Barley, Alberta Canola, Alberta Pulse Growers and the Alberta Wheat Commission, to whom the FarmTech Foundation of Alberta would like to express gratitude for their understanding, patience and continued support. For sponsors and attendees who had committed to the 2022 conference, we thank you for your continuous support and would like to notify you that the FarmTech team will be reaching out to you personally.

Postponing the 2022 conference will allow us to create a better experience for our hosts, sponsors and attendees as FarmTech remains excited to host its 2023 conference with a new vision, details of which will be shared in the coming months.

“With the recent announcement made by the Alberta government’s ongoing work to protect Albertans from Covid-19 and the possibility of increased cases and transmissions this winter, we made the difficult decision to postpone FarmTech 2022,”- Janine Paly, FarmTech Foundation of Alberta chair.

“Since FarmTech has been known as a place of gathering, we want to host it in a safe manner for our farmers, sponsors and hosts and come back stronger in 2023.”

Source : farmtechalberta

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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.