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Forage Focus Conference 2014

The Ontario Forage Council is proud to announce our upcoming annual Forage Focus Conference 2014, this years’ theme is: “Using Forages to Increase Profitability”. The conference will be held in St-Albert on Tuesday, November 25th at the St-Albert Community Centre, and in Shakespeare on Wednesday, November 26th at the Shakespeare Optimist Hall. Presentations are CEU accredited.

This years’ keynote speaker is Ev Thomas Vice President, Agricultural Programs, Miner Institute Research Education. Mr. Thomas will be speaking on two topics, “Harvest Management of Forage Crops and Corn Silage”, and “Alfalfa vs. Alfalfa Grass: Different Strokes for Different Folks-and Fields”. Ev Thomas has worked as an agronomist in Northern N.Y. since 1966, first as a regional Extension Specialist for Cornell University and since 1981 for Miner Institute. He received his B.S. in Animal Husbandry from the University of Connecticut and his M.S. in Extension Education from Cornell University. Responsibilities include agricultural production, research and education. He is a frequent contributor to Hoard’s Dairyman and Northeast Dairy Business, and has a monthly column in Farming magazine. He has been involved in field crops consulting in the North America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan. In 1999 he received the Outstanding Alumnus Award from the University of Connecticut, in 2001 the Merit Award from the American Forage and Grassland Council, and in 2003 the Award of Merit from Gamma Sigma Delta, the honor society of agriculture. He is a Certified Crop Advisor and Certified Pesticide Applicator. The Ontario Forage Council welcomes Mr. Thomas to Ontario, an enthusiastic speaker with information that you can put to use immediately.

Joel Bagg, Forage Specialist, OMAFRA will speak on “What’s New in Forages in 2014”. Attendees in each location will be treated to firsthand knowledge on “Making Quality Hay for Domestic and Export Markets”. This presentation will be delivered by Andre Larocque in St-Albert, and Fritz Trauttmansdorff in Shakespeare.

The cost of this years’ conference is $40, and includes conference proceedings and a hot roast beef lunch. Books of 10 tickets are available to treat customers, or staff. Registration deadline is November 20th, registrations will be accepted at the door, but may not include the hot roast beef lunch. Registration is available by phone, or mail. Visa and Mastercard accepted by phone. Please make cheques payable to the Ontario Forage Council.

Tradeshow and sponsorship opportunities are still available for both days of this conference. Spaces will fill quickly, so don’t hesitate. Forage Focus is an excellent opportunity to advertise your business in the eastern part of the province!

Source: Ontario Forage Council


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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.