There are always many research and development projects on the go at the Olds College Centre for Innovation (OCCI), the applied research division at Olds College of Agriculture & Technology. Industry partners join forces with the department to develop and test a wide variety of innovative products in the core areas of crop and livestock production, environmental stewardship, technology integration and data science and utilization.
Canadian feed and malting barley enjoy a global reputation for superior quality, with the latter well known for its excellent performance in processing and positive contribution to sensory properties in beer such as flavour. With prohibitive Chinese tariffs on Australian barley imports from the spring of 2020 to the summer of 2023, China’s demand for Canadian barley rose significantly during that time.
The agricultural sector is the backbone of our economy, providing essential resources that sustain communities and drive economic growth. However, farmers face numerous challenges, from unpredictable weather patterns to market fluctuations. Among these challenges is a significant yet often overlooked issue: the ability to repair their own equipment.
Understanding falling number (FN) in wheat can help farmers make informed decisions about harvest quality. The FN test measures the activity of the enzyme alpha-amylase in wheat. This activity is caused by pre-harvest sprouting.
CWRS farmers in widespread pockets of the western Prairies have experienced increased wheat stem sawfly populations in recent years. Researchers and agronomists are concerned the pest may become increasingly prevalent if drought conditions continue.
When CommunityVotes Edmonton declared its 2023 winning bakeries, The Farmhouse Bakery tied with Freson Bros. for the popularity contest’s top award. While Freson is an Alberta grocery chain, Farmhouse is a small operation with an outsized reputation.
From a peak of 1,755 in 1933, it’s estimated close to 100 of Alberta’s historic grain elevators remain standing, and Nanton came very close to losing three of its own when they were decommissioned in March 2001. “The demolition permit was signed, and they were hours away from being bulldozed,” said Leo Wieser, president of the town’s Canadian Grain Elevator Discovery Centre Society. “These are very important cultural icons; Prairie cathedrals that are so important to western Canadians.”
Despite the encouragement of crop groups and conservation outfits, winter wheat acreage in Western Canada has decreased sharply to 2.7 million tonnes in 2022 from the record high of 4.8 million in 2008. A sign this trend may reverse, acreage has increased slightly in Manitoba where farmers have struggled to seed spring wheat in wet fields.
Canada produces some of the world’s best malting barley. While new varieties supply high end-use quality and disease resistance, farmers can help ensure it meets the needs of domestic and international malting and brewing customers.
Sustainability dominates today’s agricultural policy conversations, whether it be the clothes we wear, the energy we consume or the food we eat. Farmers are under growing pressure to meet the food and fuel needs of the global population amid rising costs of production. This dichotomy often makes it seem like sustainability and profitability are at odds.
