In the ever-evolving world of agriculture, producers are constantly seeking ways to enhance their operations, whether it’s through saving feed, reducing labour, or adopting new technologies. The Agricultural Demonstration of Practices and Technology (ADOPT) program, funded at a rate of 60 per cent federally and 40 per cent provincially under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, has been instrumental in demonstrating new technologies and providing valuable insights for ranchers.
One of the key lessons learned from the ADOPT projects is the importance of understanding the origin of the technology. While some technologies may work well in other parts of the world, they may not be practical in Saskatchewan. For instance, the project ‘The Effect of Acoustic Pulse Technology on Prevention of Mastitis in Dairy Cattle’ used a technology developed in Israel that’s gaining popularity in Wisconsin. However, the production differences between Saskatchewan and Wisconsin made the technology impractical for local producers. On the other hand, the project ‘Remote water quality monitoring with FarmSimple technology’ successfully demonstrated a technology developed in Saskatchewan for Saskatchewan producers to monitor water quantity and quality in remote pastures.
Another crucial factor to consider is the cost of use. Some technologies may seem low-cost at first but can surprise you with additional costs when it comes to implementation. For example, technologies that use cell phone towers can be more expensive than originally planned due to the cost of accessing those towers. Additionally, think about any extra infrastructure or facilities you may need to use the technology. In the ‘Growing Fodder as an Alternative Feed Source’ project, technology costs added up quickly when the cost of the fodder growth system were included.
Practicality is also a significant consideration. When investigating a new technology for pain reduction at castration for lambs, one producer pointed out a seemingly innocuous roadblock: it required another applicator. While this may not seem like a big deal, bringing two separate tools to castrate and tail dock lambs instead of one could be a hindrance to producers. Thinking about seemingly small practicalities can help you decide whether to use the new technology.
Research is another essential factor to consider. New production methods or technologies being analyzed in a peer-reviewed research journal can lend credibility to the technology. The project ‘Commercial Replacement Heifer Selection Using Genomic Testing’ used commercially available genomic tests that have been based on several years of genetic research to aid in breeding stock selection. The scientific research behind these tests show that some traits are highly heritable, so the genomic tests can be very useful in selection.
Lastly, understand what you save. This could be time, money, animal health, or a combination of the three. Think critically about the cost of the technology and the practicality of it. For example, the project ‘Efficacy of Field-Side Nitrate Testing’ tested handheld nitrate meters that would allow producers to test nitrates of their crops within minutes, instead of taking a few days. Potential time savings from the meter were negated when 20 per cent of the results were false negative – which could result in feeding high nitrate feed to livestock and in turn, lost calves, leading to a net loss of money.
In conclusion, experimenting with new technologies and practices can be beneficial for your farm. When looking at technology or practices to implement on your farm, think critically through the sales pitch and ask questions. Technologies that are developed in Western Canada, low cost, practical, and published may be hard to find, but they can be an advantage to your operation. For more information about past ADOPT projects or to discuss implementing new technology on your farm, contact the Agriculture Knowledge Centre at 1-866-457-2377.