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only way to secure an environment that will continue to
support agriculture. For Whitelaw and WIN, a big part of
achieving these goals is understanding climate dynamics.
As a consulting business, WIN utilizes technologies and
tech tools related to meteorology and weather condition
interpretation. The company helps farmers, producer groups
and governments make better decisions in areas that include
integrated pest solutions and disease.
“WIN is looking at what western Canadian soil will look like
in 15 years, relative to understanding what we can control and
how we can respond,” said Whitelaw. “The idea of mitigating
the impact of production on our land, water and air—nobody
at that table would say these two concepts are not connected
at the hip.”
The supercluster partners realize that by serving the ag
sector, they’re serving themselves, and that putting ag first
is good for everyone. “We hope by investing in research,
development and project innovation, we’re all going to make
more money and bring value back to our shareholders,” said
Whitelaw. “Ultimately, we all benefit because we get a safer
and more secure food supply.”
Cullum agreed with Whitelaw that Canada has great
capabilities and capacities in its farmers, companies and tech
providers to bring solutions in an integrated manner.
“We feel this is going to have significant transformative effects
in our industry while placing Canada on the world stage.”
Specific to the cropping industry is 4R nutrient
stewardship—the application and management of nutrients
utilizing the right source and right rate at the right time and in
the right place. Championed by Agrium, this concept aims to
increase production and profitability, enhance environmental
protection and improve sustainability.
“The idea is that we’re responsibly applying inputs
into the ag ecosystem so that we’re not wasting. We’re
environmentally conscious, economically efficient and
creating benefits back to both the producer and society,”
said Cullum. “In Alberta, we know that our producers are very
progressive. There’s an opportunity to build on that leadership
position.” He added that members of the ag industry can
expect the opportunity to incorporate their own technology,
solutions and business ideas through this program.
As steering committee chair, Whitelaw also emphasized
the importance of maintaining the farmer as a guiding force.
“If a farmer or input provider can’t get excited that it’s going
to make a difference in their world, we’re not doing what we
should be. We want to take all these abstract concepts, like
traceability or yield increase, and connect them to changing
the way we plant, harvest, process and eat.”
Owing to the recent establishment of the Werklund Agriculture Institute, its smart-agriculture facility, Olds College has taken the role of lead institution on the Smart Agri-food
Supercluster initiative. Seen here, Olds College students participate in an ag management field day.