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Ontario reclaims Guinness threshing record

Ontario reclaims Guinness threshing record

243 machines worked simultaneously to break the previous record of 139

By Diego Flammini
Staff Writer
Farms.com

St. Albert, Ont. is once again the Guinness world record holder for the most threshing machines operating simultaneously.

On Aug. 11, 243 machines threshed wheat together for five minutes to reclaim the record.

St. Albert set its first record in 2015 using 111 machines before Austin, Man. broke it with 150 machines the following year.

Bringing the record back Ontario feels good, said Francois Latour, president of Vintage Iron and Traditions of Eastern Ontario and event organizer.

“It feels great that we were able to get the job done,” he told Farms.com.

Breaking the record was a team effort.

Farmers and equipment owners from as far away as London, Ont., Rimouski, Que., Saskatchewan and Vermont participated in the event. And over 2,000 volunteers helped organize the day and ensured it ran smoothly.

The machinery used to break the record included multiple Massey-Harris No.6s, an International Ground Hog and a 1948 George White No.6.

Everybody “worked together and we did it,” Latour said. “The volunteers we had were so good and they were a big part of the day.”

The world record attempt also acted as a fundraiser through the $15 admission charges.

The event raised $100,000 to be donated to breast cancer research.

Latour lost his wife Suzanne to breast cancer in 2015. He organized his first world record threshing event that year and raised $30,000 for research.

“I do it for her,” he said.

In addition to breast cancer research funding, Latour hoped to break a record for the largest human pink ribbon by asking attendees to wear pink.

The current record is 8,264 and Latour’s efforts fell short by five people.

“We didn’t break the pink ribbon record, but we still broke the threshing one and raised $100,000 for breast cancer. I can live with that,” he said.

A 1948 George White No.6 threshing machine
Stittsville Central photo




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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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