Reading Time: 3 minutes It’s back to the future for ag research in Alberta. After holding a series of consultations across the province as well as an online survey, the provincial government has created a new organization that “takes the best parts of previous research models.” That’s a reference to two former agencies — the Alberta Livestock and Meat […] Read more
Province announces new ag research agency
The new Results Driven Agriculture Research will fund both pure and applied research for the crop and livestock sectors in Alberta
Alberta farm groups propose new research model
A ‘white paper’ by crop and livestock groups calls for a new way of doing things
Reading Time: 2 minutes The provincial government should “play a role” but needs to work closely with the ag sector to develop a new research funding model, say Alberta farm groups. “Both Agriculture Minister (Devin) Dreeshen and Premier (Jason) Kenney have been vocal about the need to put research back in the hands of producers,” Alberta Wheat and Alberta […] Read more
What’s the future of agricultural research in Alberta?
The province wants a farmer-led ag research model but what that looks like is the big question
Reading Time: 5 minutes The shape of agriculture research in Alberta is changing — and what that change should look like is now up for debate. The provincial government held a series of “engagement” sessions with farmers this month (as well as an online survey) as a first step to creating a farmer-led research model. Alberta farmers seem to […] Read more
Olds College Smart Farm expanding thanks to gift of land
Reading Time: < 1 minute Olds College Smart Farm is expanding thanks to a gift of 320 acres of farmland from George and Marge Steckler. The Smart Farm was launched in 2018 with 110 acres and has since expanded to more than 2,000 acres. It features soil monitors, digital weather stations, wireless grain bin sensors, multispectral imaging, precision ag tools, […] Read more
Are you prepared to do more with less agricultural research?
That’s the question farm and research groups are facing as government and industry funding falls
Reading Time: 4 minutes There will be less government money and a renewed focus on boosting productivity on the farm, but the details of the province’s new plan for ag research are still up in the air. “We’d like to get to a point where we have a long-term vision for agricultural research — one that’s designed to be […] Read more
Lakehead University to operate Thunder Bay ag station
The not-for-profit Thunder Bay Agricultural Research Station’s quest for a longer-term operating plan has ended with a new operator, and a new name. The Ontario government recently announced it will transfer the TBARS’s operating and research programming responsibilities to Thunder Bay-based Lakehead University, which will now operate the site as Lakehead University Agricultural Research Station […] Read more
Farm groups welcome Ottawa’s research funding pledge
Agriculture Canada is giving positive signs that it will continue to invest in wheat and barley research
Reading Time: 3 minutes [UPDATED: Feb. 6, 2017] – Federal dollars are key to barley and wheat research in Alberta. Fortunately, there are a lot of signs that the Liberal government is willing to continue investing in it. “We’ve been happy with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada,” said Jason Lenz, chair of Alberta Barley Commission. The federal government has been […] Read more
Ottawa opens its wallet: Ag research back on the front burner again
Top scientists hail the end of decades-long plunge in the number of Ag Canada agricultural researchers
Reading Time: 3 minutes Recent hirings at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada are a sign that the long decline in research capability is over. “That they’re hiring is very positive,” said Ron DePauw, who established himself as one of the world’s top wheat breeders with his work at AAFC’s Swift Current station. “If you go back to 1973, there were […] Read more
They’ve got your back — meet four new Alberta researchers
Ag Canada’s newest researchers are working on issues that hurting or holding back producers today — or will in the future
Reading Time: 4 minutes Agriculture and Agri-food Canada hired four new scientists in Alberta this past spring. Here’s a quick introduction to the newest additions to the research community: Nitynanda (Nitya) Khanal Integrated forage crops management, Beaverlodge The forage research position at Beaverlodge had been vacant for years following a retirement. But not any more — although it was […] Read more
Wilf Keller elected new AIC board chair
Wilf Keller is the new head of the Agricultural Institute of Canada. Keller is a well-known agricultural researcher who has worked for nearly 40 years mainly in the field of biotechnology development and application for the genetic modification of crops. In this time he has led numerous major research efforts. Keller worked at the Research […] Read more
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