Innovation climate challenge unveiled
Alberta Innovates and SVG Ventures Thrive, a global venture and innovation platform, have launched the Climate Challenge, an initiative in the agriculture and energy sectors to combat climate change.
The initiative is expected to support local innovators and attract international start-ups to Alberta.
The challenge is open to innovators worldwide and will culminate at Inventures, Alberta’s flagship tech conference, on May 30.
The initiative will focus on three core themes identified as high-potential areas for innovation:
- advancing the biofuel value chain
- on-farm energy
- water stewardship
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Ten global finalists will have the opportunity to pitch their innovations live, gaining global recognition and access to prizes and growth opportunities.
New president for Alta. vet association
Dr. Serge Chalhoub is the new president of the Alberta Veterinary Medical Association.
Chalhoub graduated from Bishop’s with a BSc (honours) in biology in 1999. He then enrolled in the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program at the of the Université de Montréal’s Faculté de médecine vétérinaire and completed the five-year program in 2004. He followed this with a one-year rotating small animal clinical internship at the same institution.
After working for two years as a general practitioner and emergency veterinarian in Montreal, Chalhoub pursued a residency in small animal internal medicine at the Animal Medical Center in New York City. Once his residency completed in 2009, he stayed on at the AMC as its first renal/hemodialysis fellow and then as a staff doctor.
Chalhoub has been a faculty member at the University of Calgary’s Faculty of Veterinary Medicine since 2012 and currently holds the rank of associate professor (teaching). He was the recipient of the 2021 and 2013 Canadian Veterinary Medical Association’s (CVMA) Teacher of the Year Award, the 2015 University of Calgary Team Teacher of the Year Award with his colleague Dr. Søren Boysen, and the 2017 Carl J. Norden Distinguished Teacher Award.
Chalhoub is the co-ordinator of a community outreach-service learning program — UCVM-CUPS Pet Health Clinic — for disadvantaged Calgary residents.
He has written and co-written numerous scientific articles and book chapters on veterinary point of care ultrasound, renal and urinary medicine, and he lectures around the world on these topics.
He is a past member of the CVMA’s national issues.
Beef competition offered in B.C.
Junior beef exhibitors in British Columbia now have the opportunity to enter a junior aggregate competition.
Calleld the PCI Junior Royal Beef Challenge, it is a collaboration of three junior shows in the province: Prospect 2000 (April 6-7), Cariboo Classic Junior Steer & Heifer Show (June 1-2) and the Interior Provincial Exhibition (Aug. 28-Sept.2).
The competition will be open to juniors from seven to 21.
Ag compensation survey planned
The Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council is planning an Agricultural Producers Compensation Survey.
Grain, oilseed, dairy, swine, fish and apiculture producers can participate in the survey, which will be conducted by AgCareers.com.
Topics covered will include:
- monetary benefits — wages for farm managers, farm supervisors, farm workers, farm labourers and specialized staff
- non-monetary benefits — health, dental, vision, relocation and housing
- hiring and retention tactics of flexible scheduling, bonuses and vacation
The deadline for participation is March 15.
Participants will receive a copy of the full results to aid in compensation, recruiting and retention practices. They will also be entered to win a gift card.
For more information, contact compensation@agcareers.com.
RDAR to deliver climate action fund
Results Driven Agriculture Research will deliver the On-Farm Climate Action Fund until March 31, 2025.
The 2024 program began receiving online applications March 1.
OFCAF supports adopting beneficial management practices that reduce greenhouse gas emissions while fostering economic and environmental sustainability.
Agriculture Canada funds the program as part of the federal government’s Agricultural Climate Solutions – On-Farm Climate Action Fund.
The program cap for any single farm operation will remain at $75,000.
For 2024, Agriculture Canada has introduced several program adjustments, such as the need for additional registration information and a cap on funding for specific BMPs.
To prepare for the program’s opening, RDAR is making the Agriculture Canada-required updates to ARGO, RDAR’s grant management and application intake system.
OFCAF program funding is limited. Once open, the program will continue to accept applications until funding is fully committed.
Alta. program to offer organics support
A new program will provide holistic support to organic farmers in Alberta’s Peace region.
The Peace Region Organic Success Program, which began in January and runs until December 2025, is supported by Clif Bar, who will contribute US$298,000 to the program over its two-year duration.
It will be run by Organic Alberta, a non-profit association that supports organics in Alberta through leadership, networking, education, communication and advocacy.
PROSPr will work with regional partners, industry and counties.
