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Ontario variety transforms provincial asparagus industry

An asparagus variety developed at the University of Guelph has been a catalyst for growth that has transformed the Ontario asparagus sector.

Developed by Prof. David Wolyn, Guelph Millennium has been on the market since 1997 and was recognized as Seed of the Year in 2005 for its longevity, extreme winter tolerance, and high yields of up to 9,000 pounds per acre – more than double that of previous varieties.

“Guelph Millennium has had a major impact on our sector. It has meant the difference between a viable asparagus industry in Ontario versus small struggling operations,” says Bernie Solymár, Executive Director of Asparagus Farmers of Ontario (AFO). “It has been an impetus for the organization and the industry to grow.”

Over 95 per cent of all new asparagus plantings and 90 per cent of all Ontario asparagus acreage are now Guelph Millennium. Outside of the province, 70 per cent of Michigan’s asparagus acres and new plantings are Guelph Millennium, and acreage increase of the variety in Washington State has also been strong in recent years.

Solymár credits funding support the sector has received over the years through programs administered by the Agricultural Adaptation Council (AAC) as a significant contributor to the rejuvenation of Ontario asparagus.

“Funding we’ve received through AAC has supported the University of Guelph breeding program, which is now looking at newer generation varieties that we hope will be launched in upcoming years,” explains Solymár.

Additional AFO projects over the years have focused on marketing strategy, competitiveness, and development of alternate markets through Individual Quick Freeze (IQF) value-added asparagus, as well as on-farm food safety and integrated pest management programs specific to asparagus.

And the work is ongoing: current projects include yield, density and variety trials, and testing of TomCast, a disease prediction system to benefit AFO growers.

For a small sector like asparagus, the ability to access funding through AAC has allowed the AFO to expand its capacity and complete industry-wide projects it wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford, Solymár says.

“It’s an industry with a very rosy outlook right now. Asparagus acres have increased by about 600 – 700 acres in the last three years, so we’re seeing a bit of a surge,” he adds.

Asparagus Farmers of Ontario is the province’s oldest marketing board, with approximately 85 growers and 3,200 acres of asparagus producing a crop with a farm gate value of $25 million.

Source: AAC


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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.