The Simpson Centre

Top-down federal agricultural policy often relies on national modelling rather than local data showing regional differences. Sometimes, government doesn’t have any data relating to the land farmed  by the producers who will be affected by policy. Here, producer and Western Crop Innovations Interim Director D'Arcy Hilgartner offers his insights on effective data #data #agtech #cdnag #agricuture  

High supermarket #beef prices are not a reflection of what Canadian farmers and #ranchers earn from their #cowcalf herds. In the past 30 years, the average beef producer’s operating margin has never reached $50,000, despite the fact that the average beef farm’s asset base stands at more than $2 million. Derek Brewin’s 2024 paper looked at how better access to export markets, including the U.S., South Asia and North Africa, would help to remedy producers’ poor returns. The industry also needs investments in research, farm extension and supply chain co-ordination from national and provincial self-funded producer groups. Read the paper here: https://bit.ly/49dsL4q

Agriculture is no stranger to controversy, but misinformation and misunderstanding can spread virally, affecting perceptions, policies, and practices across the industry. Whether GMOs, pesticide use, or organic farming, half-truths and misconceptions can have significant consequences for farmers, consumers, and the environment.     Are we getting the full picture? Are the facts being twisted or misinterpreted? By whom and why? Asking pertinent questions and seeking accurate information makes us part of the solution. The Simpson Centre is engaged in mapping agricultural controversies and the Government of Canada has created a resource about science misinformation. See it here: https://bit.ly/418wtdS    #Agriculture #Misinformation #AgTech #Sustainability 

The Canadian farm equipment market is set for a slowdown in 2025 due to falling crop prices, high operating costs, and tighter farm profitability. Farmers are delaying purchases, leading to inventory buildups in new and used equipment markets. Used combine sales are down 18% year-on-year, while sales of larger Class 10+ combines have doubled as producers focus on efficiency.    Key forecasts for 2025 include adjusting equipment prices, easing interest rates, and a weaker Canadian dollar, which could increase imported equipment costs. Auction results will offer more insights into market conditions.    While sales are projected to decline, falling interest rates and adjusted prices may create opportunities for farmers to invest in cost-effective equipment. What is your experience? Read more here: https://bit.ly/4ePjxN9 #cdnag #sustainablefarming #alberta #westerncanada #cattle

Agrifood systems are important in achieving #biodiversity goals according to the UN's FAO. Indeed, it was the central message at the November 2024 UN Biodiversity Conference COP 16 in Cali, Colombia. FAO’s message was that transforming #agrifood systems is critical to help develop a sustainable and biodiverse planet, adapt to #climatechange, and improve #foodsecurity and #nutrition. Addressing these challenges means prioritizing solutions across multilateral environmental agreements, increased financial and technical support, and ful integrated into national planning processes. Read more here: https://bit.ly/4fW9HKf

“Launching Satellites and Saving Lives: What It Takes To Break Through Climate Challenges in Water and Food Security” We are kicking off the first session of the Simpson Centre’s Policy Lab on Water Sustainability in Alberta's Agriculture through Digitalization on November 27th with virtual keynote speaker Dr. Joshua Fisher, Science Lead for Hydrosat a remote sensing startup based in Washington DC, and Associate Professor of Environmental Science and Policy at Chapman University. See more about Dr. Fisher and register here: https://lu.ma/y7903m3q  Event Information: ·       Date: Wednesday, November 27th, 2024  ·       Time: 9:00-9:45 am MST  ·       Location: Zoom (link will be distributed to registrants) 

Farmers want timely, accurate and detailed #data without completing numerous surveys. Statistics Canada | Statistique Canada plans to go beyond a survey-first approach with data from sources such as Earth Observation data and machine learning. This project, dubbed #AgZero, aims to reduce the response burden on farmers to as close to zero as possible by 2026. For example, in July 2019 and March 2020, Statistics Canada produced estimates on the number of temporary foreign workers in the agriculture sector in Canada using administrative data. The estimates were produced with zero direct contact with farmers, saving them valuable time. In our video, Omar Youssouf gives a précis of the approach. #cdnag #sustainableagriculture

Irrigation is considered a key tool for #climatechange adaptation. However, irrigation pumping can generate greenhouse gases by using fossil fuels, electricity, and other energy sources. Additionally, irrigation activities increase soil-based emissions of N2O and CH4, particularly in saturated soil conditions. There is potential to offset these emissions through reduced or efficient application of water. Carbon credits, too, are seen as a tool for monetizing emission reductions through the Voluntary Carbon Market (VCM) and also offer the potential to provide financing for projects in irrigated agriculture. See this paper from Ankit Chandra for a qualitative assessment of carbon credits based on irrigation water management: https://bit.ly/3AJ2i23 #water #irrigation #carbonoffsetting #sustainableagriculture #agtech

The price we see on our food often doesn’t account for the hidden costs of #agrifood systems, which may be passed on to future generations. Raw materials, labour, effects on the natural and social environment, soil degradation, rainforest destruction, species extinction, and diet-related diseases are all included in the true cost of food. The UN’s FAO “State of Food and Agriculture 2024” publication provides a detailed breakdown of the hidden costs associated with unhealthy dietary patterns and non-communicable diseases for 156 countries. These findings are analysed through the lens of six agrifood systems categories to take into account various outcomes and hidden costs that require different policy interventions. Read it here: https://bit.ly/3CpeRzS #truecostaccounting

Please note that registration for our #cowcalf workshop on Thursday November 28 is now full. If you'd like to be put on a waitlist for this event, please email julius.rondilla@ucalgary.ca directly and we will notify you should a spot become available. We will be compiling insights during the workshop to share with a wider audience. Keep in touch with forthcoming events via our website: https://lnkd.in/erywddJU #Alberta #cdnag #livestock #sustainableagriculture #agtech