Addressing climate change and reducing GHG emissions from the transportation sector are top policy priorities for governments around the world. Biofuels are a proven and viable solution to decarbonize transportation fuels. As policies in North America evolve to incentivize and support the increased use of biofuels, opportunities for low carbon agricultural feedstock are expected to grow. The presentation will outline the policy landscape in North America and how this translates into environmental and economic opportunities for the canola value chain.
2023
Mohammad Khakbazan, Research Scientist (Ag Economist), Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada @AAFC_Canada
Mohammad Khakbazan is a Research Scientist with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC). His research focuses on the effects of technologies and management practices that affect agriculture and cropping systems including cereals, pulses and oilseed crops. Currently, he leads and collaborates in over 15 AAFC and industry funded projects. He is an adjunct professor at University of Saskatchewan. He is also an associate editor for the Journal of Soil and Water Conservation, and a member of its Science and Policy committee. Dr. Khakbazan has published more than 50 papers in peer-reviewed journals, including 2017’s “Outstanding Paper of the Year” from the Potato Association of America.
Mario Tenuta, Professor of Soil Ecology, University of Manitoba @soilecologyUMan
Mario Tenuta is the NSERC/WGRF/Fertilizer Canada Senior Industrial Research Chair in 4R Nutrient Stewardship and Professor of Applied Soil Ecology at the University of Manitoba. His training includes a B.Sc. in Botany and Physical Geography, an M.Sc. in Soil Fertility, a Ph.D. in Plant Pathology, and Post-Doctoral research in Nematology. The 4R Industrial Research Chair Program is advancing research in 4R nitrogen management practices on the Prairies to give farmers and industry solutions to achieving nitrous oxide emission reductions as well as improved soil health and crop productivity.
John Heard, Soil Fertility Specialist, Manitoba Agriculture @MBGovAg
John is the senior soil fertility extension specialist with Manitoba Agriculture. He was schooled in Ontario and Indiana but educated through working with Manitoba farmers.
Jay Whetter, Communications Manager, Canola Council of Canada @canolacouncil @canolawatch
Jay Whetter grew up on a farm at Dand, Manitoba and went to high school in Deloraine. He is a big fan of Ag Days. Jay has been a farm journalist for 25 years. He is the editor of Canola Digest magazine and coordinates Canola Watch, a timely agronomy email to which all growers and agronomy providers should subscribe. Look for him at Ag Days and tell him something you think all farmers should know.
Chris Vervaet, Executive Director, Canadian Oilseed Processors Association
Chris Vervaet is the Executive Director of the Canadian Oilseed Processors Association (COPA), representing its members on matters pertaining to the oilseed processing industry. Chris also serves as a senior executive with the Canola Council of Canada (CCC). He has worked at various levels of the agriculture industry for over 20 years, in both a domestic and international capacity. Prior to joining COPA and the CCC in 2015, Chris spent seven years working for Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada as a market access and trade specialist, including four years as Agriculture Counsellor at the Canadian Embassy in Beijing. Earlier in his career, he served as Director of Trade Policy for the Canadian Federation of Agriculture and Trade Analyst for Bunge Global. Chris holds a M.Sc. in Agriculture Economics from the University of Guelph and a B.Sc. in Agribusiness from the University of Manitoba. He was raised on a grain farm in Manitoba and currently resides in Winnipeg with his wife and daughter.
