Round-Up

Ag has often ignored the human factor in extension.  We create materials, host field days, and provide a plethora of passive learning opportunities. We have not changed our strategies in decades. As a result, measurement is difficult, change is slow and human psychology is ignored. APG is seeking to do things differently, to include active learning, to respect that time is valuable, and information needs to be distilled to seconds rather than hours, while still honouring our extension roots and engaging with those who like to visit at a field day.

Through exploration of virtual and augmented reality opportunities, we are looking to connect with a variety of audiences for a variety of purposes: to bring in-season learning into the off-season, to bring the consumer/farmer/agronomist/scientist to the farm and to have fun and create authentic relationships along the way.

At iClassifier, we’re reimagining how farmers care for their cattle. Our innovation uses machine vision and camera-based systems to make health assessments faster, easier, and more accurate. From spotting early signs of lameness to estimating weight and evaluating body condition, our technology helps farmers act sooner, improve animal welfare, and run more efficient operations. 

What makes us different is how we bring it all together. We combine smart hardware with intelligent software tools built specifically for the realities of the farm. Our standalone camera system, JRun^TM, plays a key role in tracking weight and Body Condition Score (BCS), while the iClassifier platform offers real-time insights and analytics to support better decisions every day. 

Behind iClassifier is a passionate team of over 10 engineers and animal scientists, led by co-founders Dr. Reza Sabbagh, mechanical engineer and adjunct professor at the University of Alberta), Dr. Amir Rahvar, computer vision expert and data scientist, and Dr. Ghader Manafiazar, animal scientist and professor at Dalhousie University. 

A Circular Economy Solution to Plastic Waste in the Beekeeping Industry

Industries face increasing pressure to meet strict ESG standards, especially with Canada’s plan to ban single-use plastics by 2030. This project, led by NAIT in collaboration with Alberta beekeeping industry partners (Alberta Beekeepers Commission, University of Lethbridge, Tees Bees Farm, and Thrive Honey) supports the beekeeping industry in reducing environmental impacts by developing recyclable polypropylene (PP) beehive foundations as a sustainable alternative to hard-to-recycle polystyrene. The goal is to demonstrate the viability of reusable designs and establish effective cleaning protocols to support circular use. 3D printed PP foundation was successfully designed, assembled, and field-tested, performing comparably to commercial frames in honey yield. Beehive cleaning was tested under varying conditions, and refined methods were used to clean both commercial and 3D-printed trial foundations. No significant differences were observed in the chemical properties of foundations before and after the trial. The results show strong potential for scalable, eco-friendly solutions that benefit Canadian beekeepers. This work directly supports the Alberta Beekeepers Commission’s commitment to advancing ESG principles through sustainable innovation and environmental stewardship.

Dr. Anastasia Elias is a Professor in Chemical and Materials Engineering at the University of Alberta.

In her research, she is investigating the development of bio-based and biodegradable composites for agricultural applications. Her team conducts research on polymer degradation and stability under a variety of conditions, including enzymatic degradation, hydrolytic degradation, accelerated weathering, and composting. She has co-authored more than 60 scientific publications, and she holds 2 US patents. Dr. Elias has been serving as the Associate Dean (Research Strategy) in the Faculty of Engineering since 2021.