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Study Highlights The Economic Impact Of The Canadian Dairy Sector

Dairy Farmers of Canada (DFC) released the most recent update of a regular study highlighting the important economic impact of the dairy sector in Canada.  The study, conducted by EcoRessources and entitled: "Update on the Economic Impacts of the Dairy Industry in 2015", is the fourth  update tracking the economic impact of the sector, which since 2009, has been conducted every two years.

"The Canadian dairy industry is a key driver of our national economy and represents one of the largest agri-food industries in the country," said Wally Smith, President of Dairy Farmers of Canada. "We take great pride in our industry's economic contribution – creating jobs, increasing milk production, diversifying dairy products and stimulating local economies.  All of these elements benefit Canadians and Canada."

Key findings of the study include:

  • In 2015, the Canadian dairy industry contributed $3.8B in local, provincial and federal taxes.
  • The sector's contribution to Canada's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has increased from $15.2B in 2009 to $19.9B in 2015.
  • In 2015, the sector sustained approximately 221,000 full-time equivalent jobs – an increase of approximately 3% since 2009. The types of jobs have also changed, with the number of jobs at the farm level decreasing, and the number of jobs at the value-added processing level increasing.
  • Canada's overall milk production increased 6.71% between 2009 and 2015.

The economic activity related to milk production and processing is spread across every province. While Ontario and Quebec have the bulk of milk production, processing and population of Canada, dairy farming remains one of the top two agricultural sectors of importance in seven out of 10 provinces.

The dairy industry is active in all Canadian provinces and is a mainstay of the economy in several regions, providing local products to Canadians. The study focused on national numbers, but also analysed the economic impact in further detail in  the Atlantic Provinces, Quebec, Ontario and Western Canada.

Source:Dairy Farmers Of Canada
 


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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.