Farms.com Home   News

Spring brings renewed investments to Ontario

By Larry Davis, Board Member, Ontario Federation of Agriculture

We wait all winter for spring and this season is arguably one of the busiest, especially for farmers. Ontario’s approximately 51,000 farmers grow, raise and produce some of the safest, freshest and most economical food in the world. And while agriculture happens all year long, spring starts the season for many of the more than 200 products grown in Ontario. Ontario farmers are busy seeding and planting vegetable and field crops this season, making some of the biggest investments in their businesses right now.

Farming is big business in Ontario. Agriculture contributes more than $13.7 billion to the provincial economy and provides jobs for 158,000 Ontarians. As farmers, we know that every dollar invested in our farms pays dividends to our communities, economy and the future of our industry. 

Agriculture has a huge ripple effect. Every decision made on the farm affects the sustainability of our communities. That includes businesses along the value chain like food processers and retailers. It’s no surprise the Ontario farm sector is also a driving force behind the province’s rural economy, accounting for 12.3% of rural Ontario GDP.

We know our members are busy out in the fields, working in the barns, orchards and vineyards this time of year. So the Ontario Federation of Agriculture sends a big thank you to our members who are working long hours this spring, investing in their farm businesses and all of Ontario. 

Source: OFA


Trending Video

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.