Farming Smarter, a non-profit research organization based near Lethbridge, is set to embark on another international technical tour, this time to Australia and New Zealand, following the success of their trip to Brazil last October. The organization aims to foster international agricultural relationships and learn from farming practices around the world.
The upcoming tour, scheduled for mid-January, will see participants visiting various agricultural sites and engaging with local farmers, agronomists, and researchers. The itinerary includes destinations such as Sydney, Fassifern Valley, Toowoomba, and Brisbane in Australia, and Auckland, Pukekohe, Hamilton, Rotorua, and Christchurch in New Zealand. The tour will cover a wide range of topics, from vegetable production and cropping systems to irrigation and pest control.
Jamie Puchinger, assistant manager at Farming Smarter, highlighted the benefits of such international trips. “They talked about how much they enjoyed it, how much they learned and how they appreciated hearing and seeing things from the agriculture industry in that part of the world,” she said, referring to the feedback from the Brazil tour. The upcoming tour aims to build on these experiences, offering participants the chance to learn about crop production, irrigation challenges, and other relevant topics in a different climate.
The tour is not just about learning from other agricultural systems but also about building a community among participants. Puchinger noted that one of the significant outcomes of the Brazil trip was the formation of a WhatsApp group where participants continue to engage and share insights. “It’s not just about tourism. It’s about developing deeper connections with people who are in the industry,” she said.
The tour, which runs from January 15 to 30, can accommodate up to 30 people, with 13 already confirmed. The cost is estimated to be around $15,000 per person, covering flights, lodging, meals, technical appointments, transportation, and entrance to attractions. The sign-up deadline is August 1.
Farming Smarter’s initiative underscores the importance of international collaboration in agriculture. By learning from different farming practices and challenges, participants can gain valuable insights that could potentially be applied to their own operations. Moreover, such tours foster a sense of community and shared learning among participants, which can lead to long-term professional relationships and collaborations.
For those interested in joining the tour or learning more about Farming Smarter’s initiatives, more information can be found at farmingsmarter.com or by calling 403-317-0022.
Understanding variety resistance
The technical tour comes at a time when the agricultural industry is seeing a shift in how variety resistance is labeled and understood. Historically, crop seed labels have used the term “resistant” to indicate a variety’s ability to withstand certain diseases. However, this term is becoming more nuanced, with specific information about resistance to particular crop disease pathogens being included.
This shift is crucial for producers as it provides more detailed information that can aid in making rotation decisions. Understanding the specific resistances of different varieties can help farmers plan their crops more effectively, reducing the risk of disease and improving overall yield. This trend towards more specific labeling is part of a broader movement in agriculture towards precision and personalized farming practices.
As the industry continues to evolve, initiatives like Farming Smarter’s international technical tours and the push for more detailed variety resistance information are helping to shape the future of agriculture. By fostering international relationships and providing more precise information, these efforts are contributing to a more informed and connected agricultural community.