Reading Time: 5 minutes Just picture it: You’ve been watching your crop get rained on all week from your kitchen window, and it’s about time to do some crop scouting to see if you need to spray. But your farm is way ahead of you. Soil sensors have been monitoring moisture levels, and they’ve already called for reinforcements. A […] Read more
Go grab a coffee, the robots have got this
Future of Farming: Hook sensors, cameras, algorithms, and self-driving machines together, and farming becomes a new ball game
Forget the app, there’ll soon be a college grad for that
‘Techgronomy’ diploma program aims to train experts able to put the promise of precision ag into practice
Reading Time: 4 minutes For many, the term ‘precision agriculture’ is becoming a source of irritation — a buzzword that often seems more about jargon than things you can use on the farm today. Viewed from that angle, the title of Olds College’s new diploma program — Precision Agriculture – Techgronomy — may seem like more of the same. […] Read more
Olds College acquires Red Angus herd
Reading Time: < 1 minute The Canadian Red Angus Promotion Society has donated 10 purebred Red Angus heifer calves to Olds College. The animals will be used in “applied research projects that focus on production efficiency, animal health and welfare, and environmental sustainability,” said Sean Thompson, manager of the college’s Technology Access Centre for Livestock Production. “There will also be […] Read more
Olds College gets $21 million for building projects
Reading Time: < 1 minute Olds College has been given more than $21 million in provincial funding for capital maintenance and to redevelop two existing buildings. The college received $15.2-million to expand the Lachlin McKinnon Building into the new Animal Health Education Centre and $6.2 million to redevelop the James Murray Building into the Ag-Tech Learning Hub that will house the […] Read more
Olds College launches fully traceable beer
Reading Time: < 1 minute Olds College Brewery has launched Barley Trail, a traceable beer using blockchain technology and barley grown on the college’s Smart Farm. Consumers can scan a QR code on every can to learn about the complete journey the ingredients took from field to glass. The initiative used Decisive Farming’s farm management technology (My Farm Manager and […] Read more
Smart ag research program receives $5.1 million in funding
Reading Time: < 1 minute Olds College’s Smart Farm has received $5.1 million in federal and industry funding for its applied research program. The funds will be used for a series of “industry-driven, college-led” projects to develop, evaluate and demonstrate smart ag technology. “Our goal is to provide beta testing research that will support small to medium enterprises and help […] Read more
Pandemic brings trials and triumphs for ag students
Despite the difficult launch to their careers in the industry, students see bright future ahead
Reading Time: 6 minutes Brianna Dyck was supposed to be celebrating her college convocation the first weekend in June. But with post-secondary institutions shuttered by the pandemic, graduation was a small family affair. “My family has done a great job of trying to make it a big deal, but it feels like the school year should still be going […] Read more
Will we seize the day when it comes to smart ag technology?
Investing in next-generation agriculture would pay big dividends, but investment dollars will be in short supply
Reading Time: 4 minutes The pandemic has revealed critical weaknesses in the country’s agriculture and food systems — and the need to invest in their future, say experts. “It’s continuing to show the importance of technology, and adopting technology, on the farm,” said Remi Schmaltz, CEO and co-founder of Decisive Farming, an Alberta digital ag and farm management company. […] Read more
Olds College acquires self-driving DOT platform
Reading Time: < 1 minute Olds College has acquired a DOT Power Platform for its Smart Farm. The self-driving platform can be equipped with a variety of implements. In addition to the platform, the college has acquired a DOT Seeder-SeedMaster Ultra DSR, DOT Sprayer-Pattison Connect, and the DOT-ready New Leader NL5000 nutrient applicator. “Our goal is to demonstrate how this […] 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
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