By Alice McFarlane

Agriculture Roundup for Friday September 25, 2020

Sep 25, 2020 | 10:03 AM

MELFORT, Sask. – SaskTel and the University of Saskatchewan (USask) are partnering to launch a “living laboratory” at the university’s Livestock and Forage Centre of Excellence (LFCE) to test, develop and demonstrate world-class agricultural technologies.

Smart farming involves collecting and analyzing data so producers can make informed and sustainable farm management decisions that improve productivity.

This initiative will focus on conducting research, improving education around smart farming, and testing and validating new agtech ideas and solutions.

The LFCE would be the first research Smart Farm in Canada focused on maximizing efficiency in livestock operations.

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The spread of African Swine Fever (ASF) into Germany highlights the importance of biosecurity.

For the first time ASF has been diagnosed in wild boar inside Germany.

Dr. Egan Brockhoff is the veterinary counsel with the Canadian Pork Council and a member of the Swine Innovation Porc Coordinated African Swine Fever Research Working Group.

He said many more wild boar have been found either dead and infected or infected.

“With Germany becoming infected it just shows us that the virus continues to move significantly in eastern Europe and of course throughout southeast Asia,” he said.

Brockhoff said it remains a very real concern the virus could find itself in North America in the future and good biosecurity will be crucial as the disease continues to move.

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The Verified Beef Production Plus (VBP+) program in Saskatchewan has a new assistant provincial coordinator.

The multi-stakeholder working group said Holly Thompson from Kelliher, Sask. will service in the role as Erika Stewart moves to a part time position while on leave.

Thompson will be the primary contact for producers and organize producer training workshops.

Saskatchewan VBP+ Board chair Arnold Balicki said many events have been cancelled during the pandemic, but it is essential for beef producers to continue producing safe, high-quality food.

The VBP+ program validates that producers are using the best management practices to ensure these standards are met.

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alice.mcfarlane@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @AliceMcF