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Canada’s livestock industry is using new advances in technology to meet production challenges.
Profitability remains the bottom line for the success of livestock operations, but today it means far more than dollars and cents. Manure management, odour control, food safety, greenhouse gas and particulate emissions, animal welfare and environmental management are just a handful of the many challenges that can make or break livestock production as a viable and rewarding enterprise, for both individual operators and Canadian agriculture as a whole.
More than ever, the key to meeting these challenges is technology, says Rick Atkins, AgTech Centre Manager and Branch Head of Engineering with Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development (AAFRD). Success depends not only on developing new options, but also on understanding their benefits and implementing the best choices for each operation.
The forefront of innovation
"Those in livestock production today recognize that technology plays a critical role in helping the industry remain competitive and in helping it deal with many important issues," says Atkins. "For the industry, the key to capturing the greatest benefit from technology is supporting its development, along with related evaluation and research, and transferring the resulting technologies, management practices and knowledge into the hands of industry.
"As a long-time player in agricultural technology, AAFRD’s Livestock Engineering Unit has seen a major increase in support for this effort. That bodes well for the future competitiveness of the industry."Practical solutions to industry challenges
Technology-based solutions are emerging to tackle a range of obstacles for the livestock industry.
How to measure odour, a complex and subjective sensory perception? Develop innovative and reliable methods of measuring odour emissions from a variety of sources.
How to sift through a mind-boggling array of new technology options? Run them through expertly-designed "boot camp" evaluations that provide objective information for producers to make the best purchasing or management decisions for their operations.
How can the industry adapt to sudden changes in handling mortalities from livestock operations? Develop innovative, low-cost methods for composting mortalities.
Those are just a few examples of technology developed in part by the AAFRD Livestock Engineering Unit.
"Our focus is consistent with that of the industry - to support the development of practical, production-ready technology and management practices," says Atkins.
"This type of innovation has to have an impact and pay immediate dividend." |