January 21, 2015 – Today the Canola Council of Canada (CCC) launches the Canola Research Hub, an online database designed to provide growers with the latest research findings to increase both productivity and profitability.
“This is a first-of-its kind technology transfer tool,” says Curtis Rempel, VP Crop Production and Innovation with the CCC. “It will allow growers to access canola research behind particular recommendations and quickly zero in on the findings most relevant to their region and concern.”
The Hub has been made possible by the canola industry’s investment in agronomic research through the CCC and grower check-off dollars administered by their provincial organizations. It is supported by a $15 million Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada canola research cluster investment under Growing Forward 2 (GF2).
The Canola Research Hub has been developed to illustrate the science behind best management practices of Canadian canola production, provide practical tools to evaluate agronomic performance and to inform production management decisions. Completed studies, funded under Growing Forward, provide the strong foundation for this resource with future database expansion to incorporate the findings from other agronomic research programs. These include the 16studies currently in progress under GF2, Canola Agronomic Research Program (CARP) projects, and additional studies funded by each of the provincial grower groups.
From the Hub’s main page, accessible at www.canolaresearch.ca, users can navigate through a library of research summaries, view and filter research data, watch video interviews and clips, access published resources, download multimedia materials, and keep up to date on science-based industry news and events.
“The practical application of science-backed production management relies on getting our story out,” says AAFC researcher Neil Harker. “The CCC makes this much easier as the industry leader for smooth tech transfer.”
“Scientists are often only available for two or three tech transfer events per year with audiences ranging from very small up to a few hundred,” says Kelly Turkington of AAFC Lacombe, AB. “This online resource is available to all audiences at all times.”
Turkington adds that the Canola Research Hub provides the platform for collaboration between growers, consultants, agronomists and the scientific community. This facilitates the pairing of scientific knowledge with the expertise of working with the crop to address the industry’s latest hot topics and concerns.
The Canola Council of Canada is a full value chain organization representing canola growers, processors, life science companies and exporters. Keep it Coming 2025 is the strategic plan to ensure the canola industry’s continued growth, demand, stability and success – achieving 52 bushels per acre to meet global market demand of 26 million metric tonnes by the year 2025.
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Media may contact:
Barbara Chabih
Program Coordinator, Communications
(204) 982-2106
chabihb@canolacouncil.org
