Olds College and Western Crop Innovations have entered into a memorandum of understanding which will focus on key areas of collaboration over the next three years.
This new agreement follows the transition of the former Field Crop Development Centre based at the College to the new not for profit, WCI, based in Lacombe.
“From the day we were established we have been consistent in our message that we wanted to continue to collaborate with our friends at the College on research and programs that will benefit Western Canadian Agriculture. This is a non-exclusive agreement that will allow both parties to work with other like-minded post-secondary institutes and breeding centers,” commented Mark Olson, Interim Executive Director.
Added Olds College’s Vice President of Development Todd Ormann, “Olds College of Agriculture & Technology is focused on transforming agriculture. And to that end few crops are as important to Alberta as barley. We are pleased to support WCI, and hope to enhance this all-important crop through further collaboration.
About Western Crop Innovations
Western Crop Innovations specializes in the development of feed and forage barley, malting barley and triticale varieties each tailored for optimal performance in local climatic conditions across Western Canada. Their team of researchers is committed to achieving high yields, bolstering disease resistance, and ensuring superior end-use quality characteristics. WCI’s robust operations include a 400-acre central research facility and 40,000 test plots across Alberta. At WCI, we are driven to deliver varieties that not only enhance environmental sustainability but also improve agronomic outcomes for producers.
About Olds College
Olds College has a social purpose of “transforming agriculture for a better world” and is focused on advancing the agriculture industry for stakeholders in Alberta, across Canada and around the Globe. To achieve this, the College in collaboration with its industry and system partners is converting the whole of its farming operation to a Smart Farm Ecosystem; an interconnected environment through which the College is leveraging its land (3600 acres), existing agriculture operations, applied research programming and educational service programming in order to provide both a product development and educational venue and at the same time provide a cutting-edge learning environment.
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For more information, please contact:
Mark Olson: Interim Executive Director, 403-861-8854
Todd Ormann: VP Development, Olds College of Agriculture & Technology, 403-586-5979