The vision of an automated harvesting system for the mushroom industry recently took a significant step closer to becoming a reality. The federal government, through its national supercluster for advanced manufacturing, Next Generation Manufacturing Canada (NGen), announced almost $4.2 million in funding to improve the mushroom harvesting system that Putnam,Ont.-based Mycionics Inc. has been developing. […] Read more
Two Ontario farms to test automated mushroom harvesting system
Creating a system that can select the right mushrooms without bruising is the challenge
Taking the guess work out of estimating apple yield
Machine uses spectral imaging to collect data and provide early detection of pests, diseases, and more
An Ontario start-up is working on a vision system technology its founders say will ultimately help apple growers produce more food. Vivid Machines is developing the Vivid X system that will automate predicting and managing apple yield and quality, and eventually provide early detection of pests, diseases, and nutrient deficiencies. Why it matters: Precisely monitoring […] Read more
Mentorship program helps new livestock faculty
LRIC initiative helps new Guelph researchers deepen their understanding of livestock agriculture
Agricultural research is increasingly tackling topics that are multi-faceted and complex – think regenerative agriculture, greenhouse gas emissions or One Health – and more often that not, finding solutions requires a broad spectrum of expertise. That means faculty from disciplines outside of animal or plant science can be working on agricultural research, but even within […] Read more
Fulvic acid produced from mushroom compost
Ontario company creates sustainable crop additive that boosts plant responses
As the focus on soil health and environmental sustainability grows, new products can help farmers improve their soil as well as boost crop nutrient and water use. BioLiNE Corp., located near Alvinston in southwestern Ontario, is producing biostimulants — products that when applied to crops, stimulate the plants’ natural processes. It was founded in 2016 […] Read more
Challenging their way to innovative food waste solutions
Competitions are becoming a popular way to encourage new technologies in agriculture and food
Challenge competitions are increasingly becoming popular ways to boost innovation. The idea is to harness the ideas and creativity of a broad audience of innovators, researchers and entrepreneurs in hopes of coming up with out-of-the-box solutions to tough problems. Why it matters: A “challenge” approach to research and innovation brings new perspectives and ideas to […] Read more
New micro-learning platform for veterinarians wins pitch competition
Obi Veterinary Education helps veterinarians stay up-to-date without in-person learning
An online platform that makes continuing education quicker and easier for veterinarians won the 2021 University of Guelph Gryphon’s LAAIR pitch competition. Obi Veterinary Education has created an online community where subscribers can complete required continuing education credits in short, easily digestible blocks of information. “The idea came from the challenges I faced in school […] Read more
Bioenterprise builds a national agri-food innovation network
The Guelph-based organization is partnering with organizations with an interest in agriculture and food
A little over a year ago, a Guelph-based agri-food innovation accelerator set out on a somewhat ambitious quest: to build a national agriculture innovation network. Bioenterprise had a long-standing history in Ontario of helping start-ups and emerging companies in the agri-food sector along their growth paths, but there was no one-stop-shop at the national level […] Read more
Hydroponic system offers year-round on-farm feed solution
The vertical farm system can make sense where land is expensive and dairy feed scarce
Imagine having a steady, fresh supply of livestock feed available daily that’s not subject to price fluctuation or unpredictable weather. That’s the vision behind HydroGreen’s fully automated system that applies the principles of indoor vertical farming to producing livestock feed. “In agriculture specifically, we have some very important dilemmas where farmers are being asked to […] Read more
Instant expert access allows better decisions on the farm
AGVisorPRO brings diverse expertise in agriculture into one app
There are many experts in the agriculture sector with valuable input and advice to share, but making the connection when and where it’s needed is often difficult. For Patrick Walther and Robert Saik, the solution is a virtual platform to bring farmers and agribusiness professionals together in real-time. The two co-founded AGvisorPRO last year in […] Read more
Innovation competition spurs creative product development
Soy-based anti-chafing cream one of 2021’s Project SOY winners
A long-running student competition at the University of Guelph that promotes creative innovation for new product development marked its 25th anniversary at the end of March with its annual awards ceremony. The winners of Project SOY Plus 2021 included an anti-chafing cream made of soybeans, a vegan yogurt using chickpeas, and a dietary supplement infused […] Read more
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