b'ing more efficient, precise, and instrumental in shaping the future of agriculture. 50 YEARS OF INNOVATIONWhile the partnership between the FCDC Field Day and AgSmart was a resounding success, there are challenges on theNot only did 2023 mark the first time the FCDC Field Day took horizon. Securing stable funding for long-term breeding initia- place as part of AgSmart, it was also the 50 thanniversary of the tives is crucial to sustain progress, Agblor added. The college isFCDC. Some milestones from the past five decades:committed to helping navigate these challenges and bringing future leaders to the table to help secure the FCDCs future,1973Feed barley program beginsOrmann said. 1978Research farm moves to LacombeSmart Seed 1980Triticale program beginsNowhere is the concept of smart technology more apparent1982 First feed barley varieties releasedthan in plant breeding and seed, and the FCDC made that fact front-and-centre at the field day held Aug. 2. 1987 First spring triticale variety releasedThe journey from a summer student at the FCDC to a1990 First winter triticale variety releasedseasoned research scientist has been nothing short of unique for1993 Malting barley program beginsLori Oatway, who has revolutionized cereal quality assessment at the FCDC. 2008 First malting barley variety releasedOatways journey began unexpectedly when she transi- 2020 FCDC becomes part of Olds Collegetioned from a university research role to joining the FCDC as a summer student due to changes in funding. This unplanned shift allowed her to discover her love for research and laid the foundation for future contributions. The evolution of her career and the impact of her workRecently, FCDC completed a science plan that outlines the highlight the incredible potential of technology in advancingmethodology to achieve the goals set out in the strategic plan. agricultural research and breeding programs. Her passion forFCDC Business Development Officer Erin Collier noted that research led to the development and implementation of near- plant breeding is a long-term endeavour, and the varieties the infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) in cereal quality assessment atFCDC is working on today wont be available for licensing for the FCDC.almost a decade. That means long-term planning is necessary.This innovative technology fascinated her, as it offered aIts crucial to incorporate industry and producer feedback new way to analyze various components within cereal grainsto ensure our trajectory aligns with future needs. Our science without the use of chemicals.plan is aimed at 2030, a mere seven years away. Were deter-The most significant advantage of NIRS was its speed.mined to establish FCDC as a center of excellence for barley Oatway and her team could analyze thousands of samplesand triticale breeding. Were striving to have FCDC varieties using this technology every year, with results generated in meregrown on most barley acres in Western Canada, she said. seconds. This efficiency was a game-changer for their breedingThat goal might seem lofty, but with the changes were program.implementingfrom modernizing operations to focusing on Were exploring how to leverage our labs expertise in near- efficiencyits within reach. infrared technology. Our goal is to integrate it with combines. Imagine the impact of conducting assessments right in the fields without the need for lab testing. The technology has advanced to the point where combines can analyze protein, moisture, and more on the spot. This could revolutionize the way we work, she said.What if we could predict how a cow would digest certain crops? Or determine the quality of malt a crop would produce before its harvested? This kind of insight could speed up our selection processes significantly.Shes particularly curious about how the industry might go beyond simple biomass measurement and delve into assessing finer quality characteristics.The Path to 2030It all feeds into the FCDCs long-term vision for the future.This years FCDC Field Day featured a panel discussion moderated by Germinations Since the FCDCs transition to Olds College a few years ago,Marc Zienkiewicz. TOPIC: Sustainability and the seed value chain!the FCDC implemented a strategic plan. One of its initial stepsListen to our exclusive Seed Speaks podcast version of the discussion at was engaging with stakeholders to identify key focus areas.germination.ca/agsmart-podcastDont miss a variety of video interviews done during the FCDC Field Day, too! germination.ca/agsmart20236GERMINATION.CASEPTEMBER 2023'