Jana Tian, right, of Upside Robotics makes a point at an Ag Robotics Working Group panel discussion during the London Farm Show. Matt Stevens of Finite Robotics looks on.

Farm robotics developing at rapid pace

Ontario startup companies look for what could encourage adoption by farmers

Agriculture technology startups HarvestCorp, Finite Robotics, Mycionics and Upside Robotics were part of a London Farm Show and Ag Robotics Working Group panel where they talked about challenges around ag tech.

Mushrooms a booming business

Mushrooms a booming business

Dundas-area farm representative of sector’s growth over the years

Ninety per cent of mushrooms grown year-round in Canada are Agaricus (white, button, cremini, portabella), and despite their small stature, mushrooms carry a significant health punch including antioxidants, prebiotic fibre, naturally occuring vitamin D and, for example, a portabella mushroom contains roughly the same amount of potassium as a banana.

Mushrooms spawn embedded in the substrate germinates rapidly, and within 14 days, mushrooms have fruited and are ready for selection.

PHOTOS: Fall tour of Piccioni Bros. Mushroom Farm

This second-generation mushroom farm in Dundas, Ont., picks, packages and sells 99.790 kilograms of white, brown and portobello mushrooms weekly. Farmtario reporter captured these images during a fall tour hosted by Farm and Food Care Ontario.

A group of attendees at the networking event pose for a ‘family photo’ outside the Business Lounge at Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show. Photo: Greg Berg

Italian contingent visits Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show

A group of Italian delegates, representatives and business leaders gathered at Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show as part of its Italy Agtech Roadshow that’s visiting locations in Ontario and Quebec. The group aims to raise awareness for Italian technologies and businesses in order to look for opportunities to help promote them in Canada.



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Major grocery chains agree to help stabilize prices, feds say

Any moves must not undercut farmgate prices, government warns

Ottawa | Reuters — Canada’s five major grocery chains have agreed to help the government in its bid to stabilize soaring prices, a senior minister said on Monday, following talks to address an issue that is hurting the ruling Liberals. Innovation Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne made the announcement after two hours of what he said were […] Read more

File photo of the produce section at a Canadian grocery store. (FatCamera/E+/Getty Images)

Canada retools inflation baskets with more focus on food, gas

Snowblowers and barbecues in, DVD players out

Ottawa | Reuters — Canada’s national statistics agency on Tuesday revealed new weights for the basket of goods and services in its Consumer Price Index, giving more prominence to changes in the prices of food and gasoline. The reweighting, which Statistics Canada carries out every year, has historically had only a marginal impact on the […] Read more

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Carbon price exemption for farm gas clears Commons

Bill C-234 next headed to Senate

Legislative amendments that would exempt farmers’ eligible purchases of natural gas and propane from federal carbon pricing are now en route to Canada’s Senate. Bill C-234, a private member’s bill sponsored by Ben Lobb, the Conservative MP for the southern Ontario riding of Huron-Bruce, passed third reading for adoption in the House of Commons on […] Read more


File photo overlooking the marina and sea wall at Half Moon Bay, about 30 km south of San Francisco. (JasonDoiy/E+/Getty Images)

Suspect in California farm worker shootings appears in court

Early evidence suggests workplace grievance, authorities say

Redwood City, Calif. | Reuters — A California farm worker accused of shooting seven people to death near San Francisco, some of them his co-workers, made his first court appearance on Wednesday after he was charged with murder in the state’s second deadly gun rampage in recent days. Chunli Zhao, 66, the lone suspect in […] Read more

(M+M Food Market video screengrab via YouTube)

On The Run operator to buy M+M Food Market

Parkland Corp. to pay $322M for frozen-food retailer

A well-known Canadian food retailer selling flash-frozen meals, entrees, side dishes and desserts direct to consumers is headed to expansion-minded new owners. Calgary-based Parkland Corp., which operates fuel and convenience retail chains and bulk fuel distribution businesses in Canada and elsewhere, announced Tuesday it’s signed an agreement to buy M+M Food Market for about $322 […] Read more