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Winter
2017
Grains
West
10
THE
FARMGATE
HARDDECISIONS
ACIDF TOSHUTTER ITSDOORSAPRIL 1, 2018 IFCHANGESAREN’TMADE
IT HAS HELPED FUND THE
development of numerous crop varieties,
advanced controlled-tra c farming in the
province, supported agronomy research
and strengthened ties between research-
ers and the crop industry. Yet, the future
of the Alberta Crop Industry Development
Fund (ACIDF), a private, not-for-profit
company that works for both industry and
government, is uncertain.
The organization was started in 1997
to distribute some provincial money
earmarked for research and development.
The government provided an infusion
of funds into the organization every few
years between 2001 and 2012. The 2012
fund consisted of $12 million to be admin-
istered over the following five years.
“Right now, we’re in a fund that ends
March 31, 2018,” said Doug Walkey,
ACIDF’s executive director, adding that
the funds have already been committed to
projects that will directly assist the crop
industry in Alberta. “We are currently
working with the minister and senior peo-
ple in Alberta Agriculture and Forestry on
what they’re going to do next. That story
hasn’t been written.”
There’s no doubt that ACIDF has had
a positive impact on the province’s crop
industry. Since it was created, ACIDF has
administered more than 600 research
projects, and operates with a bare-bones
three-person sta . The group has invested
in everything from basic gene-splitting
science to on-the-shelf commercialization.
“The bulk of our work is in farm gate
problems and applied sciences,” said
Walkey. Examples of the group’s work in-
clude fertilizer trials, disease management,
pest surveys and environmental studies
around the farm. Walkey said the
“If we cut back on
research, you can
cruise for a little bit.
But sooner or later,
everyone is going to
pull away.”
–Doug Walkey
Sheri Strydhorst discusses her advanced agronomic practices research with a group of farmers at the Lacombe Field Crop Development Centre’s field day in July.
Photo:GarsonLaw