AALP Class 13 North American Study Tour Day 2

July 6, 2010 – Day two of the legendary AALP North American Study Tour continued despite sweltering heat. A continental breakfast greeted the class at 7:30 a.m., although there were those who chose to skip breakfast and bank the extra sleep.

After a quick bus ride to the Ohio State Department of Agriculture, presentations by the Associate Director of Agriculture Mark Forni, as well as Lori Panda and Kevin Elder, all described a vibrant, profitable, and innovative industry. The department of agriculture participates in a number of facets in the industry, including international and local promotion and assistance with adhering and understanding the multitude of regulations. Currently, Tim Sword International Program Manager is involved in promoting and assisting in exports of Ohio products to Israel, Vietnam, Columbia, Spain, and Ontario Canada. Lori Panda discussed the various methods that she works with the “Ohio Proud” program across the state at farmers markets, grocery stores and fairs, just to name a few. Kevin Elder presented the significant changes and improvements that have been made to the large livestock regulations, when the Department of Agriculture took over from the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency). AALP participants observed significant similarities between the Ohio regulations and those of Ontario.

Following a quick break, the group toured a plant industry, animal disease & diagnostic laboratory, consumer analytical laboratory, and the weights and measures laboratory; the various groups that are involved under the Department of Agriculture. The group was surprised to learn that all collaboration of commercial weights and measures (think deli and truck scales, even gasoline pumps) fall under the Department of Agriculture as well as the safety and inspection of all amusement rides in the state. Arlie McFaul was intrigued to learn that both the crop science laboratory and the animal laboratory were both bioscience level 3 labs, allowing them to handle potentially bioterrorism samples such as anthrax. Melanie Williams was gut-wrenched to learn about the process of autoclaving animals – that is to put the animal in a huge pressure cooker, with hypo-chlorite acid and steam. This will disintegrate flesh in 6 hours, and turn the bones to dust. Now that’s a clean and green animal disposal system!

After a quick inhale of lunch, the group moved to the downtown office of the Columbus Chamber of Commerce where the group was treated to a detailed explanation of the economic development that is happening in the area. Both of the presenters, Matt and Joe, exhibited their obvious passion for the region. The class was surprised to learn that the region possesses a port, and is central to over 50% of the US population and 47% of the Canadian market within a one day drive of the city. All of which make Columbus a very attractive location for businesses to thrive. Phil Emmott was impressed at the sales approach that the commerce team takes to acquiring new companies to the area, including Coba Automotive. Coba announced last week that it will be investing hundreds of millions of dollars in a new lithium battery plant for its electric cars in the area – which will require an additional 1500 high end jobs when in full production.

So long Columbus we’re Ohio Proud!

Phil Emmott, Arlie McFaul, Melanie Williams – AALP Class 13

Comment

You need to be a member of Ontario Agriculture to add comments!

Join Ontario Agriculture

Comment by Laura Langford on July 7, 2010 at 2:17pm: sounds busy! thanks for the updates!

RSS

Welcome to
Ontario Agriculture

Sign Up
or Sign In

Agriculture Headlines from Farms.com Canada East News - click on title for full story

Secretary Rollins Takes Decisive Action and Shuts Down U.S. Southern Border Ports to Livestock Trade due to further Northward Spread of New World Screwworm in Mexico

Yesterday, Mexico’s National Service of Agro-Alimentary Health, Safety, and Quality (SENASICA) reported a new case of New World Screwworm (NWS) in Ixhuatlan de Madero, Veracruz in Mexico, which is approximately 160 miles northward of the current sterile fly dispersal grid, on the eastern side of the country and 370 miles south of the U.S./Mexico border. This new northward detection comes approximately two months after northern detections were reported in Oaxaca and Veracruz, less than 700 miles away from the U.S. border, which triggered the closure of our ports to Mexican cattle, bison, and horses on May 11, 2025. While USDA announced a risk-based phased port re-opening strategy for cattle, bison, and equine from Mexico beginning as early as July 7, 2025, this newly reported NWS case raises significant concern about the previously reported information shared by Mexican officials and severely compromises the outlined port reopening schedule of five ports from July 7-September 15. There

University of Manitoba appoints Dr. Filiz Koksel as Manitoba Strategic Research Chair in Sustainable Protein

The University of Manitoba is pleased to welcome Dr. Filiz Koksel as the new Manitoba Strategic Research Chair in Sustainable Protein, a role that continues to advance sustainable agri-food innovation and leadership in plant and animal protein research and innovation. Dr. Koksel, an associate professor in the Department of Food and Human Nutritional Sciences, leads an interdisciplinary research program that aligns closely with Manitoba’s Protein Advantage Strategy. She holds BSc and MSc degrees in Food Engineering and earned her PhD in Food Science from the University of Manitoba. “My vision for this Chair is to position Manitoba as a global leader in sustainable protein innovation by uniting scientific discovery with industry partnerships,” said Dr. Koksel. “Together, we will create solutions that advance food security and climate resilience for generations to come.” Dr Koksel’s current work focuses on developing novel, environmentally friendly protein ingredients from crops such

Support staff recognized for contributions to Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences

Each year the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences calls for nominations of a support staff member or team who have made outstanding contributions in support of the teaching, research, service and outreach goals of the Faculty. At a celebratory barbecue to celebrate all nominees held on July 9, six individuals and four teams were recognized for their service to the Faculty. Sheldon Beichter, Technician, Carman Research Station Becky Dueck, Technician, Department of Plant Science Atanas Karamanov, Technician, Richardson Centre for Food Technology and Research Minami Maeda, Technician, Department of Biosystems Engineering Finley Makila, Technician, Richardson Centre for Food Technology and Research Donna Ryland, Technician, Department of Food and Human Nutritional Sciences Charlene Hawryluk, Wajiha Shahzad, Uldis Bourne, Jennifer St. Laurent, Dianne Dugald and Vanessa Ryplanski, Departments of Animal Science & Entomology and Glenlea Research Station Minami Maeda, Daniel Benedet an

Some crops look good and other not so good in Saskatchewan

A drive around Saskatchewan provides a wide range of crop conditions, based on rainfall received. Timely thunderstorms, combined with spring rain, are producing decent-looking crops in some locations, particularly the southeast. The poorest crops are in the southwest, but there are areas across the northern grainbelt that are much drier than normal as well. Saskatchewan Agriculture’s weekly crop report puts provincial cropland topsoil moisture conditions at 55 percent adequate, 33 percent short and 12 percent very short. Many fields are at relatively uniform stages, but there is some inconsistent staging which is making spray timing challenging. Areas that have received moderate to high rainfall over the last few weeks are applying fungicides to some of their pulse, cereal and oilseed crops.

AGRI-FOOD 2050 Industry Event

The Agricultural Adaptation Council (AAC) is bringing industry leaders together to envision the future of agri-food in Ontario. The inaugural Agri-food 2050 Event will draw attendees from across the broader agri-food sector including representatives from primary agriculture, agri-business, food processing, agri-food research, and government.

More…

Badges | Report an Issue | Terms of Service