Olds College Technology Access Centre for Livestock Production (TAC) staff have had a busy fall. They have been going above their normal responsibilities as they prepared to host 57 innovation and technology leaders from Canadian colleges at the Tech-Access Best Practice Workshop. Attendees arrived on Sunday, October 15 and for two days shared and discussed best practices on involving students in applied research, working with entrepreneurs with unique innovation needs, and updates regarding Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), Innovations Canada, and Department of Defense funding.
A highlight for many was the immersive field to fork tour that participants participated in. Attendees toured the Olds College National Meat Centre, learning about the unique program and some of the research projects that the meat centre has been involved in.
From there, guests toured the Olds College research feedlot pens that are managed by TAC, where Shannon Argent, Manager explained how precision technology like GrowSafe Bunks and GrowSafe Beef waters allow for TAC to collect large amounts of data for the different projects and services that we offer.
Attendees joined beef and agriculture industry members and researchers for a networking reception, where they had the chance to enjoy a dinner featuring Alberta beef while learning about rodeo from college rodeo team student athletes. To cap off the evening, the delegates headed to the Brawn Family Arena, where the College and TAC had organized a private rodeo for the guests, complete with the opportunity to speak to rodeo athletes about the sport.
“The conference delegates loved (the rodeo) and stayed after the rodeo to ask our athletes questions” exclaims Guy Kelley, head coach of Olds College Rodeo Team. “Some even said it was their favourite part of the conference. The students had a great time, and it was good practice for them too.”
Another highlight of the workshop was having the group of researchers and engineers with backgrounds unrelated from ag work brainstorm on how the technology they are utilizing could help producers identify and track cattle. Ideas ranged from kinetic powered bluetooth devices, to facial recognition software.
Learn more about the Olds College Technology Access Centre for Livestock Production
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