Farms.com Home   Ag Industry News

Two Ontario ag organizations unite

Two Ontario ag organizations unite

The agreement will give processors a more unified voice on industry issues

By Diego Flammini
Staff Writer
Farms.com

Two Ontario ag organizations will work together to streamline operations.

The amalgamation between Food and Beverage Ontario and the Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Processors Association (OFVPA) will also help give members a more unified voice for industry issues.

“A number of the members of the OFVPA were already members of Food and Beverage Ontario,” Norm Beal, CEO of Food and Beverage Ontario, told Farms.com yesterday. “It seemed a little bit like both organizations were duplicating each other’s efforts so, this way, we can bring the interests of the industry under one roof.”

Changes in the industry are a key reason why the partnership is necessary, the groups say.

Some businesses have consolidated, some have relocated to the U.S. and some have closed.

The agribusinesses that remain open need reliable support, said Steve Lamoure, president of OFVPA.

“We want to be absolutely sure we are doing all we can to support our industry and strengthen relations across the supply chain,” he said in a statement last week.

OFVPA is joining Food and Beverage Ontario as members. OFVPA’s board will continue to exist and Beal will assume the role its OFVPA’s executive director.

He expects this new partnership will help fortify the relationships between all parties within the supply chain.

“We’re hoping to continue to build and develop new relationships with farmers, who are our members’ primary suppliers,” Beal said. “I think everyone believes the future of processing is strong in Ontario and that starts with our growers.”

A website for the amalgamated organizations will be online soon, he added.


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.

 

Comments


Your email address will not be published