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New research investments promise benefits for farmers

The federal government recognizes the importance of agricultural science

By Jennifer Jackson

Lawrence MacAulay, minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), highlighted the farmer and economic benefits associated with agricultural research investments while touring the AAFC Ottawa Research and Development Centre on April 12.

The 2017 federal budget, released almost a month ago, stated that the Government will allocate $70 million over six years to fund research in agricultural innovation and discovery. The research funding will prioritize modern issues such as climate change, according to an AAFC release.

This $70 million is additional to the $30 million the Government allocated in the 2016 budget to research agricultural biological threats.

The total agricultural investment of $100 million will boost sustainability and innovation in Canada – which will help improve the competitiveness of the ag industry, according to MacAulay.

“Science is the cornerstone of the Government’s plan to create good jobs in the agri-food sector and to grow the middle class,” MacAulay said in the release. “Our commitment to funding cutting-edge agricultural research will help farmers grow the economy, feed a growing population, protect the environment and combat climate change.”

Currently, Canada’s agriculture and agri-food industry supply one in eight jobs. To grow this statistic, and maintain the country’s reputation as a global leader in sustainable and safe food, supporting agricultural science is crucial, according to the release.

“To be successful in the highly competitive global economy, Canada must continue to strengthen its approach to performing world-leading research and generating new breakthrough ideas,” Kirsty Duncan, minister of science, said in the release. “In this context, the Government has an important role to play in advancing science, research and innovation, the pillars of strong economies.”

AAFC researchers have invested the funds from the 2016 budget into equipment and resources to digitalize information on specimens that may pose a risk to agriculture. These specimens include insects, plants, fungi, bacteria and nematodes. The agricultural industry and farmers will have better access to pest activity because of this digitization initiative.

Check out Farms.com previous coverage on agriculture’s inclusion in the 2017 Federal Budget. 


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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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