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Ontario beef advocate headed to Ontario Agricultural Hall of Fame

Ontario beef advocate headed to Ontario Agricultural Hall of Fame

Harvey Graham will be inducted on June 10

By Diego Flammini
News Reporter
Farms.com

A Durham County beef producer and advocate is being recognized for his contributions to the industry with an induction into the Ontario Agricultural Hall of Fame.

Harvey Graham has spent much of his career supporting the beef industry on local, provincial and federal levels. In 1995, he served as president of the Ontario Cattlemen’s Association (now Beef Farmers of Ontario). He helped establish the Ontario Feeder Cattle Loan Guarantee Program and assisted with the implementation of the national beef check-off program.

Despite his accomplishments, receiving a hall of fame induction is a humbling experience, he said.

“I’ve always felt an obligation to give back to my community if I can. I’ve been involved in a lot of things but I never thought it was important enough to get honoured like this,” the 83-year old told Farms.com today. “But I am pleased and honoured with the nomination (from Beef Farmers of Durham Region).”

Graham grew up on a 160-herd dairy farm that he later purchased from his father. After 25 years of in the dairy industry, Graham converted to beef production. He has raised beef cattle for the last quarter century. His son, Mark, now oversees a large portion of the farm.

The elder Graham still helps out around the farm where he can.

“I love driving the big machinery and I’m still able to do that,” he said.

“The amount of manual labour required is considerably less” than in the past.

But that’s only one of many changes he’s witnessed in the industry over his 60-year farming career.

“In my father’s time, farming was seen as a way of life,” he said. “Today, farming is a business, and it’s a big business. You have to manage your capital, your equipment and make the best use of the capital you have invested.”

Graham will be honoured on June 10 along with:

  • Barry Hill, a farmer from Brant County credited with producing the region’s first soybean crop in 1979,
  • James J. Morrison, who helped created the United Farmers of Ontario in 1914,
  • William Beaty, a farmer and founder and chairman of Cold Springs Farm
  • Gordon Leitch, general manager of the first elevator on the Toronto waterfront, which grew into Masterfeeds Inc.

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.

 

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