OLDS — The expansion into Ontario of the Pan-Canadian Smart Farm Network, led by the Olds College of Agriculture & Technology (OCAT), will have direct benefit for the college, says OCAT vice-president of research Joy Agnew.
On Aug. 2, during OCAT’s annual AgSmart agriculture and technology exposition, it was announced that Discovery Farm Woodstock has joined the Pan-Canadian Smart Farm Network (PCSFN).
That brings the total number of PCSFN members to eight across four provinces. The network was founded in 2021.
Its purpose is to enhance collaboration among members to help make the industry more efficient and resilient by taking advantage of high-tech solutions identified by researchers, producers and other industry partners.
Agnew, who serves as lead for the network, announced the addition of Discovery Farm Woodstock.
It showcases the innovative technology and equipment shaping Ontario agriculture and has access to experts and industry partners, including the University of Guelph research services.
Agnew was asked by the Albertan what that addition will do for Olds College.
“Well, Olds College benefits now by being connected to a smart farm in Ontario where we can better access expertise and infrastructure to support the developers that are working here that may want to expand into the eastern Canadian market,” she said.
“We can more seamlessly connect them with the types of support they can get here.
"But we don’t grow corn and soybeans. We don’t have the same kind of production systems they have in eastern Ontario, so being able to connect with Woodstock is great for our clients.
"All of the other smart farm network members can now connect with eastern colleagues as well.”
In addition to Olds College and Discovery Farm Woodstock, the Pan-Canadian Smart Farm Network includes Lakeland College in Vermilion; Lethbridge College; Discovery Farm Langham near Saskatoon; the University of Saskatchewan Livestock and Forage Centre of Excellence; Manitoba Beef & Forage Initiatives Inc. near Brandon, Man.; and Enterprise Machine Intelligence & Learning Initiative near Winnipeg.
It receives funding from the Canadian Agri-Food Automation and Intelligence Network (CAAIN).
In her speech announcing the expansion of the network, Agnew said a goal of the network was to “represent as many types of ag production systems in as many regions of Canada as possible to ensure that smart farms would exist in all areas.”
She added that the idea is to adopt specific technologies and best practices that are “best suited to the grower’s specific needs.”
“Canada’s ag sector is incredibly diverse. And technologies and best practices that are ideal in one part of Canada and cropping system or livestock system may not be ideal in another,” Agnew said.
"We’re really excited to work with the team at Woodstock on projects, information sharing, and the impressive reach that they have within the industry through their massive event, Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show.”
Discovery Farm Woodstock rep Rob O’Connor also addressed the crowd gathered for the announcement.
He said farm officials are looking forward to working with their new partners to improve and advance agriculture.
O’Conner is also show director for Ag In Motion, located at Discovery Farm Langham and billed as the largest outdoor farm expo in Western Canada.
“At Woodstock, we’ve acquired some additional land, so now (the) site of our property is about 330 acres, which gives us the opportunity to provide lands that can be utilized for other events or other demonstration research projects that can, as Joy mentioned, bring a new set of crops to this project,” O’Connor said.
"Primarily we’ll be looking at corn and soybean-type crops. And of course, there are other types of industries that come with those crops, such as the dairy industry or other types of equipment that is utilized, or fertilization programs that are utilized for those crops.
“We have an opportunity with our staff on our property to give those companies an opportunity to do that demonstration, do that research on our property as well as utilize Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show as an extension method that they promote, once those projects are complete, what they’ve accomplished.
“We’re really pleased to be a part of the Pan-Canadian Smart Farm group, as we are with Discovery Farm Langham,” he said.
