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Cdn. ag organizations form new working group

Cdn. ag organizations form new working group

The Agriculture Carbon Alliance will work proactively on carbon pricing and provide solutions-oriented feedback to legislators

By Diego Flammini
Staff Writer
Farms.com

Multiple national Canadian farm organizations have come together to form a new working group designed to keep watch on how the federal government approaches carbon pricing and climate change within the ag sector.

The Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA), Canadian Canola Growers Association, Canadian Cattlemen’s Association, Turkey Farmers of Canada and Egg Farmers of Canada are among the groups who make up the Agriculture Carbon Alliance.

The group will work “proactively on carbon pricing and provide solutions-oriented feedback to lawmakers,” a press release announcing the alliance’s formation says.

Carbon pricing is a popular topic in Canadian ag.

Recently, Philip Lawrence, the Conservative MP for Northumberland-Peterborough South, introduced Bill C-206. If passed, the bill would exempt on-farm natural gas and propane used for grain drying from the carbon tax.

And last fall, the federal ministry of environment and climate change released a report on how to proceed with carbon pricing and a federal greenhouse gas offset system.

These types of legislative items affect agriculture and the sector should be involved in these processes, said Keith Currie, vice president of the CFA.

“I think there’s a real opportunity for us to collectively work together with the government to make sure the industry not only has opportunities to participate in a green economy, but that whatever comes down from government is practical and affordable,” he said.

A total of 10 individual farm organizations are part of the carbon alliance. More are likely to join, Currie said.

Getting all the groups on the same page is the most difficult part. But coming at an issue with one voice is crucial. And having a unified message is even more important now given the make up of the current federal government.

“When you look at the federal side of things, generally speaking doesn’t have a lot of rural representation and next to no farm representation,” Currie said. “So, if Minister Bibeau and her team can bring an issue to another ministry and say she’s got the industry’s support, I think that partnership can only serve agriculture well going forward.”


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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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