Technology Access Centre for Livestock Production
The Technology Access Centre for Livestock Production (TACLP) offers resources and services required to move the livestock industry’s technological needs forward. Addressing industry priorities, TACLP gives livestock producers, technology developers, and small and medium-sized enterprises access to facilities, emerging smart agriculture technologies, testing services, research expertise and training opportunities.
Thanks to funding from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), the Technology Access Centre offers resources and services required to move the livestock industry's technological needs forward. Olds College’s vertically integrated beef program allows for technology and products to be tested at every step in production (seed stock, cow-calf, feedlot, processing).
Read Story: Five-year milestone and five years of additional support
Our Goals
Improve animal health and welfare | Increase production efficiency | Enhance environmental sustainability |
Technology Access Centre Services
The applied research facilities and expertise allows innovators and businesses to evaluate proprietary concepts and technologies while being supported by the TACLP's robust confidentiality policy. Our services include:
Residual feed intake (RFI) testing for cattle and sheep.
Management of research trials on beef cattle and sheep in pasture or feedlot settings at Olds College or on location at client sites.
Development, optimization and validation of innovative on-farm technologies and practices.
Coordination and delivery of producer training.
Livestock
The Olds College Smart Farm also maintains a cow herd with approximately 150 commercial breeding females. The College uses a 3-way cross of Gelbvieh, Simmental and Angus. In addition to the commercial beef cattle, Olds College has a herd of 15 Purebred Red Angus animals with plans to continue expanding that number in future years. On average, the TACLP evaluates over 1,000 animals each year for custom feeding trials, residual feed intake trials, and other research initiatives on a fee-for-service or cost recovery basis. The Smart Farm also includes 150 breeding ewes. The animals at Olds College are involved with student learning opportunities along with applied research activities on the Smart Farm.
Red Angus herd which began from the generous donation of 10 Red Angus heifer calves from the Canadian Red Angus Promotion Society in 2020.
TACLP Feedlots featuring GrowSafe feeding systems which allows TACLP to calculate individual animal feed efficiency.
Live streaming technology from the calving pens thanks to cameras and monitoring technology from ongoing work with OneCup AI.
Alpha Phenomics tests their 3D cameras at Olds College which measure RGB, temperature and distance.
Working alongside Neilson Signature Beef on a variety of applied research and fee-for-service projects on their farm.
Ongoing Livestock Research
The TACLP's research goals help address industry issues related to production efficiency, animal health and welfare, and environmental sustainability.
Evaluating feed efficiency of market steers and breeding stock to achieve genetic improvement, reduce feed requirements and decrease the environmental footprint of beef cattle
Health impacts of optimized pre-conditioning in beef cattle
Evaluating sire-progeny links, breeding plans and information management in multi-sire breeding scenarios on commercial beef herds
Tactile stimulation for imprinting of newborn beef calves
Investigating floating islands as a technology to remediate feedlot runoff water
Corn intercropping strategies for extended winter grazing
Handling acclimation and the effects on reproductive performance
Evaluation of technology for improving productivity and regenerating soil health of grazing land in Western Canada
Contact Us
Technology Access Centre for Livestock Production
Sean Thompson
Manager
403.556.8314
sthompson@oldscollege.ca
In the Media: TACLP
- Performance test results researched
- Floating flora for friendlier feedlot flush? Maybe
- Device builds fences out of thin air
- Researchers Look at Viability of No Fence Collars on Canadian Prairies
- Reducing fear in heifers can pay off
- One-minute spa treatment can boost calf health
- First Impressions
This article was originally published in the Apr/May 2023 edition of Canadian Cowboy Country magazine (Vol 26, No 6)
TACLP Articles
Desiree Gellatly
Research Scientist
403.556.4786
dgellatly@oldscollege.ca
Lorna Baird
Business Development Coordinator
587.832.5469
lbaird@oldscollege.ca
Laio Sobrinho
Research Associate
403.556.8352
lsobrinho@oldscollege.ca
Brianna Gratton
Techgronomist
403.444.2055
bgratton@oldscollege.ca
Yaogeng Lei
Research Associate
403.556.4781
ylei@oldscollege.ca
Alison Neale
Research Associate
306.914.1362
aneale@oldscollege.ca
Brittany Scott
Technician
403.586.2515
bscott@oldscollege.ca
Emilie Edgar
Research Technician
403.559.7085
eedgar@oldscollege.ca
Lyndsey Smith
Research Technician
780.340.7082
lsmith@oldscollege.ca
Current Projects
-
Animal Identification using Artificial Intelligence
Using artificial intelligence for individual animal identification is a novel concept that Olds College is exploring with an industrial client. ...more
-
Enhancing Climate Change Resiliency & Environmental Sustainability of the Livestock Industry
The TACLP at Olds College is enhancing climate change resiliency and environmental sustainability of the livestock industry through the use of innovative technology and rotational grazing practices on the Smart Farm — specifically the 308 acres at Pitstra Farm west of Carstairs, AB — over the next two years. ...more
-
Floating Island Technology for Livestock Water Remediation
This project evaluates the economic and environmental benefits of using native wetland plants and floating island technology to treat feedlot runoff water. ...more
-
Intercropping Corn for Livestock Grazing Strategies
The TACLP at Olds College is partnering with the University of Manitoba to identify the potential for intercropping corn with high protein forages....more
-
Nofence Collars: Virtual Fencing System
Researchers at the Technology Access Centre for Livestock Production (TACLP) at Olds College of Agriculture & Technology are evaluating the functionality of the Nofence© collar, an animal-friendly novel virtual fence technology that allows producers to remotely contain and control grazing cattle by using audio cues and electric stimuli from collars instead of physical fences. This could help farmers implement rotational grazing systems easier and more cost effectively...more
-
Sire Progeny
This project evaluates sire-progeny links, breeding plans and information management/record keeping in multi-sire breeding scenarios on commercial herds. ...more
-
Validation of Rapid In-Field Testing to Measure Forage Nitrate Concentration
Olds College is assessing and validating the accuracy of the NECi Nitrate Test Kit and the Cardy Nitrate meter for on-site measurement of nitrate concentrations in forages. ...more
-
Weaning Methods & Tactile Stimulation on Calf Performance, Health & Welfare
Researchers at the TACLP are studying and comparing differences in weight gain, health and reactivity at handling in imprinted against non-imprinted calves weaned through the use of either nose-flap, fenceline or traditional abrupt weaning....more
Completed Projects
-
Heifer Development - Handling Acclimation
Olds College is studying the effects of different handling acclimation procedures prior to the breeding season on reproductive performance, reactivity at handling, and physiological indicator of stress assessed in beef heifers. ...more
-
Grazing Management
The grazing management project was established to evaluate and demonstrate the use of various remote grazing management technologies. ...more
-
Crop Cocktail
Research includes testing different seed mixes in pastures to improve soil health, increase plant diversity, and provide adequate nutrition for cattle. ...more