As part of its $32 million Capacity Initiative, WGRF is pleased to announce a $253,000 investment at Farming Smarter for the purchase of a plot seeder and plot combine.

Farming Smarter is a not-for-profit research organization located near Lethbridge, Alberta. The organization conducts research that is shared with crop producers locally and across Western Canada.

“WGRF is very excited to be making this investment for equipment at Farming Smarter,” says Dr. Keith Degenhardt, WGRF Board Chair.  “Farming Smarter is a recognized leader in crop production research and extension. This capital expansion will provide the means to increase capacity, address research gaps and alleviate pressure at seeding and harvest time.”

An increase in research capacity for Farming Smarter means more critical crop production information will reach growers across Western Canada. The organization’s highly successful extension program reaches thousands of growers and industry stakeholders every year.

“Our mission is to provide cost-effective research, demonstrations, and extension for producers to facilitate greater returns on their investment,” says Ken Coles, Executive Director, Farming Smarter.  “The Board, staff, and clients of Farming Smarter wish to thank WGRF for this incredible investment, we know the return on investment will be plentiful to farmers across the region.”

“Adding these key capital items to the inventory of research tools at Farming Smarter is critical to expanding their crop production research program in terms of size, scope and quality,” says Garth Patterson, WGRF Executive Director. “WGRF is pleased to be providing the funds for this new equipment to enable their agronomy research program to flourish.”

In total, twenty-four Phase 2 Capacity Initiative applications were approved by WGRF. Additional capacity-funding announcements will be made in the coming months.