Agrium, Olds College and global satellite communications corporation MDA have submitted an application to the federal government to form an agrifood “supercluster.” The Liberal government committed up to $950 million (over five years) in its March budget to create hubs that would focus on key economic sectors in an effort to kickstart investment, boost exports […] Read more
Trio of groups proposes Alberta-based agrifood ‘supercluster’
If it is happening in research, it is happening here in Alberta
The list of research centres is long and varied — and all of them are part of our competitive advantage
Reading Time: 3 minutes Alberta is a hive of exciting and interesting research activity that is a benefit to agriculture and society. From bees to bovines, we employ world-class scientists who work with enthusiastic producer groups. Livestock (under the federal definition) includes bees, and the National Bee Diagnostic Centre is in Alberta, a partnership between the Grande Prairie Regional […] Read more
Olds College to create ‘smart agriculture’ centre
Reading Time: < 1 minute Olds College has been given a $16-million donation it will use to create an institute specializing in ‘smart agriculture.’ The Werklund Agriculture Institute will use big data, technology, and enhanced Internet connectivity to increase the quality and quantity of agricultural production. The funding is a gift from David Werklund, an entrepreneur best known for his […] Read more
College student turns brewery waste into a budding business
Reading Time: 3 minutes Two years ago, Alex Villeneuve was pressing the moisture out of spent grain with two stainless steel bowls in his Olds College dorm room, wondering what he was doing with his life. But that all changed when he was awarded a $5,000 innovation incubator grant — the “launching point” for Ceres Solutions Ltd., a company […] Read more
For 4-H Alberta, the past 100 years have flown by
Reading Time: 3 minutes When W.J. Elliott arrived in Alberta to become the first president of Olds College, he quickly decided he needed to enlist supporters for his bid to modernize agriculture in the province. So he started Alberta’s first 4-H club — the Olds Junior Pig Club. “He had noticed that there were some poor livestock genetics in […] Read more
Use for spent grains garners award
Reading Time: < 1 minute Turning spent grains left over from beer making into a substrate for growing mushrooms had earned an Olds College student business a $20,000 TEC VenturePrize award. “Traditionally, spent grains used in the production of beer have been looked upon as a waste byproduct,” said Alex Villeneuve, a student in the college’s Brewmaster and Brewery Operations […] Read more
Taking cattle tag reading to the next level
Forget reading one tag at a time, this technology can track every member of a herd going down an alley at once
Reading Time: 3 minutes Cattle producers could save themselves a fair bit of time and money — if they’re willing to make the shift from standard low-frequency RFID tags to a new ultra-high-frequency alternative. “The typical button tag has been around for a long time and works very well, but it’s in a low-frequency spectrum and the read range […] Read more
Prepare for a successful future with Selections 2016
Send 4-H Diaries and registration submissions by Feb. 15
Reading Time: < 1 minute Attention senior members, registration is open now for Selections 2016! How would you like to partake in a journey of self-discovery? Through small-group discussions, team-building exercises, and large-group presentations, you will investigate your future; how school, career, and personal choices and change can affect your life’s path. Join other 4-H senior members from across Alberta […] Read more
Learn the ins and outs of grain grading with ‘Making the Grade’
Reading Time: < 1 minute Alberta Barley, the Alberta Wheat Commission and the Alberta Canola Producers Commission are holding a one-day workshop on July 28 to help producers get the best grade for their grain. Making the Grade will be held at Olds College and include hands-on sessions from experienced industry speakers on barley, wheat, and canola grading and agronomy. […] Read more
SAIT and Olds College upgrade meat program facilities
Dean expects the program to more than double in capacity
Reading Time: 2 minutes In the meat and livestock industry, efficiency leads to increased productivity, which often leads to increased profitability. All three are key factors behind the SAIT meat lab renovations and the Olds College meat-processing lab equipment upgrade. SAIT originally offered a 15-week meat-cutting program strictly focused on the retail meat industry. With the addition of the […] Read more