Grant: Applied Research Tools and Instruments Grants

Lakeland College is a post-secondary institution serving more than 6,000 students annually through two campuses. With over 650 students, the Department of Agricultural Sciences offers extensive agricultural programming including crop and livestock production, animal health technology, agribusiness, as well as a Bachelor of Agriculture Technology. Lakeland’s dedicated Applied Research department prioritizes commercial agricultural research due to its critical importance to the economic future of the region and because it aligns with the institutional and research strengths. With over ten research locations throughout Alberta, the Lakeland College applied research team aims to increase the agriculture industry’s productivity, sustainability, profitability and competitiveness while sharing knowledge with the livestock, crop, and ag-tech sectors. The College has the ability to significantly impact the future of the agricultural industry due to the training of students through their Student Managed Farm, Crop Technologist diploma program, Bachelor of Technology degree and student positions held in the Applied Research department. Through engagement, communication and collaboration with industry, it is clear that there is a significant demand for crop research and innovation to keep pace with the persistent challenges facing the agricultural industry. The crop industry is confronted with significant issues related to disease pressures, rising production costs, severe weather events, consumer preferences, regulatory demands, GHG emissions and labor shortages. These concerns require research and technological advances for mitigation and management to support strong, viable crop production. This proposal requests funding for a 5-row precision plot seeder and multi-boom six treatment research sprayer with enhanced agronomic testing abilities. The advancements include increased planting abilities for single row lines, more capacity to investigate new crop species, variable row spacing, the capability for seed row applied commercial product testing, target root rhizobial and mycorrhizal enhancement formulations and investigate crop input optimization. The request will support the Pulse, Cereal, Oilseed and Special Crops research programs. Expansion of the applied research activities at Lakeland will promote collaboration, innovation, sustainability and accelerate the growth of the crop industry in Alberta and Western Canada.