On Tuesday, July 23, Lakeland College collaborated with Alberta Grains, Alberta Pulse Growers, and the Alberta Canola Producers Commission to present the first of three Alberta Crop Diagnostic Days.
About 85 people, including farmers, industry representatives, researchers, students, and government representatives from across the Western prairies, met at the college’s Agriculture Technology Centre shortly after 8 in the morning. Shuttles began moving people to a site west of the campus that is home to the college’s research plots at 8:30 a.m. sharp.
Following an opening address by Shawn Jacula, Alberta Grains’ Regional Director of Region 4, the attendees were divided into three groups. They rotated through field stations, learning from experts in cereals and canola research Lakeland and other Albertan organizations have been involved in. Attendees also observed a demonstration of a drone sprayer.
Following a free lunch, visitors participated in pulses sessions and demonstrations by industry partners sharing about their products and research. Topics spanned different management options, genetic potential, agronomic treatments, drone technology, and leading-edge practices to maximize and lower inputs, leading to economic benefits for Alberta crop producers.
“The whole idea is to bring academics, researchers, farmers, and industry all together so we can achieve a high level of information exchange and maximize taxpayers’ and farmers’ dollars,” said Robyne Davidson, pulse research scientist at Lakeland College.
François Paradis, Dean of Applied Research at the college, explained that the institution’s applied research team is focused commercial agriculture, spanning crops, livestock, and ag technology. On the crops side, they are focused on the main crops of economic importance for Alberta: namely, cereals, canola, and pulses. The objective of the applied research team is to contribute to increasing the productivity, profitability, and sustainability of the agricultural industry.
Paradis emphasized that applied research, as opposed to basic research, is focused on real producer issues, and done in partnership with producers, producer associations, and industry. This joint field day initiative aimed to bring the findings of applied research accessible to farmers in a timely manner, while also facilitating networking across the industry.
Davidson echoed that networking in this industry is as important as the exchange of information. “Seeing what other people are doing can create some collaboration and bring us all forward together,” she said.
Alberta Grains’ Director of Research, Agronomy and Extension Jeremy Boychyn highlighted that the value of this field day to his organization was in knowing that the research they have funded Lakeland to conduct directly benefits farmers.
The event was repeated at SARDA (Smoky Applied Research and Demonstration Association) jn Donnelly the following day, and a third Alberta Crop Diagnostic Day will be held on July 31 at Olds College.
“This collaboration with the crop commissions is a natural fit and a highly valued relationship,” said Paradis. “As an organization, we pride ourselves on advocating for the 18,000+ wheat and barley farmers in Alberta,” said Alberta Grains’ Director of Marketing, Communications, and Events Jonathan Anderson. “Agronomy and research are a priority and will continue to be an initiative we are committed to,” he continued.
By bringing people across the industry together, the event organizers aim to produce a knowledge hub for ag producers in the region to learn about new farming practices and tools they can take back to use on the farm.
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