Manitoba Beef & Forage Initiatives Inc. is the network’s newest member
By Diego Flammini
Staff Writer
Farms.com
Manitoba now has representation on a network of smart farms in western Canada.
Manitoba Beef & Forage Initiatives Inc. (MBFI) is the newest member of the Pan-Canadian Smart Farm Network.
The network launched in June 2021.
Led by Olds College in Alberta, “is a network of Smart Farms committed to sharing data and expertise that will help farmers, industry and developers better understand, use and develop smart agricultural technologies.”
Dr. Mary-Jane Orr, MBFI’s general manager, announced the organization’s entry into the network at the Manitoba Beef Producers annual general meeting on Feb. 2.
MBFI focuses on advancing the province’s beef cattle and forage industry through innovation, education and the adoption of agricultural technology and practices.
Some of the assets MBFI brings to the network includes the Brookdale Farm Learning Centre, the Precision Ranching Data Centre, soil & forage sampling equipment and a mobile laboratory trailer.
Joining the Smart Farm Network allows for further discussions to support the beef industry.
“This network of smart farms creates opportunities for broader discussions on technologies, risk management and knowledge sharing,” Orr said in a statement. We look forward to what we can achieve as the network continues to grow with more infrastructure, technology, laboratories, facilities and pastures.”
The other members of the Pan-Canadian Smart Farm are the Lakeland College Student-Managed Farm at its Vermilion campus in Alberta, the University of Saskatchewan’s Livestock and Forage Centre of Excellence near Saskatoon, Sask., and the Glacier FarmMedia Discovery Farm at Langham, Sask.