The Canadian Nexus La Chèvre autonomous weed removal system is showing promise in leafy crops such as lettuce and spinach.
Autonomous robot prototype removes weeds from leafy crops
Canadian-built weeding robot prototype continues to develop in testing at Holland Marsh
Cranberry beans sowing new ground in Grey County
Fifteen-inch rows and direct harvesting proving successful for one farm
Fifteen-inch cranberry beans are unheard of in southwestern Ontario, but things are done differently in Grey County. Wayne Metzger, co-owner of Highland Custom Farming (HCF), fielded questions on the Etna variety cranberry bean he planted on May 27 during the Grey County Soil and Crop Improvement Association’s July 16 crop walk and elevator tour. Why […] Read more
Governments invest in food safety, industry growth
Ontario and Canada commit $5 million to bolster smaller agrifood businesses in the province
Small agriculture and food industry businesses can soon apply for up to $75,000 to enhance food safety systems. The province has earmarked $5 million in cost-share funding from Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership funds, issued through Ontario’s Food Safety and Growth Initiative. Successful projects can receive up to 50 per cent of eligible costs, to a […] Read more
Northern land prices make farm expansion attractive
Highland Custom Farming brings its innovative approach to a new Iroquois Falls venture
Highland Custom Farming is expanding its successful model to Iroquois Falls where land is affordable, providing the next generation of farmers with options.
OEL expands with purchase of P&H Ltd.’s Centralia site
Ondrejicka Elevators Ltd. (OEL) has purchased P&H Limited’s Centralia assets. Mike Ondrejicka, owner of OEL, said the company took possession of the site Aug. 1 and will spend the next few weeks developing an integration plan for their operation. The facility expands on OEL’s current six-million-bushel storage capacity and 100,000 bu./hour receiving capabilities, which are […] Read more
Government funds soybean climate-change resistance research
Performance Plants Inc. (PPI) is getting a multi-year federal funding boost through the AgriScience Program – Projects Component. Over four years, the agricultural biotechnology developer will receive $2,325,361 to develop a high-yielding, climate change-resistant soybean and enable field testing.
University of Waterloo engineers stronger agriculture ties
Dean of engineering says agriculture offers students opportunity to further sector technology while completing co-op studies
The University of Waterloo engineering program is sowing the seeds of agriculture technology development, one partnership at a time. “Collectively, there is so much more we can do as a country and as a province towards this,” said Mary Wells, the university’s dean of engineering, during the Livestock Research Innovation Corporation symposium in Elora. Why […] Read more
Ontario beefing up support for cattle producers
A $240 million increase to the Feeder Cattle Loan Guarantee program will help strengthen Ontario’s beef sector. The increase doubles the loan program’s scope to $500 million in low-interest finance to support short-term needs and long-term growth of feeder cattle co-operatives and their members. Why it matters: Increased funding for the guaranteed loans provides sector […] Read more
Farm workers get access to mental health support
New funding will provide services in Spanish
The Farmer Wellness Initiative (FWI) is getting $538,000 to diversify its free agriculture-based mental health services. The Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership funding allows expanded FWI programming for Ontario farmers, farm workers and their families, including $178,000 to develop Spanish-speaking mental health services to serve international agricultural workers better. “The entire agricultural community experiences unique stressors […] Read more
Fight continues toward elimination of non-tariff barriers in beef processing
Industry says producers need risk insurance against disruptions
The strike at Cargill’s Dunlop processing facility might finally be over and the beef sector now wants improve access to processing and obtain risk insurance against future disruptions. There is no good time for a strike, said Jim Clark, executive director of the Ontario Cattle Feeders Association and Ontario Corn Fed Beef. However, the labour […] Read more
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