A new state of the art production line is helping an Ontario company get a premium local product to consumers more quickly and efficiently. EarthFresh Farms Inc. is a Canadian produce company based in Burlington that specializes in growing, packing and distributing potatoes. The company is vertically integrated in all aspects of the potato industry […] Read more
New packing line expands potato production capacity
EarthFresh Farms markets specialty and premium varieties
Smart system can predict where weeds will grow
AI-driven tool uses field imagery and crop data to allows growers to apply targeted control
Keeping weeds under control is a seemingly never-ending chore for farmers, requiring consistent investments of time and money. But what if there was a tool that could predict where weeds will grow, allowing growers to take precise action before they ever emerge from the ground? Why it matters: Farmers are continually looking for alternative yet […] Read more
Ontario innovator wins Food Waste Challenge
Technology from Clean Works extends produce shelf life, reduces fungicide use
An Ontario company with technology that can reduce fungicide use and increase produce shelf life has won a $1 million grand prize from the federal government. Why it matters: The technology can increase the shelf-life of produce by up to 20 per cent, which would reduce food waste. St. Catherines-based Clean Works was named one […] Read more
Innovation centre fills greenhouse industry R&D gaps
Centre for Horticultural Innovation aims to expand greenhouse vegetable production in Ontario
Tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers are the greenhouse crops for which Ontario is probably best known. The province is home to North America’s largest vegetable greenhouse cluster with more than 3,900 acres under glass, and the industry is always searching for new crops and newer, better ways to grow them. Why it matters: The hunt is […] Read more
New plant-based bee health treatment shows promise
Research results show treatment has efficacy against foulbrood viruses and varroa mites
The challenges facing bee health have become well-known in recent years as bee deaths have made headlines in many countries. According to the Canadian Association of Professional Apiculturists, honeybee losses in Canada were estimated at 32 per cent nationwide last year, with provincial losses ranging from 11.7 to 46.2 per cent. A British Columbia company […] Read more
Digital medicine gives farmers easier access to veterinary care
VETSon provides veterinary clinics with option to provide remote service
Canada has a growing nation-wide shortage of veterinarians, particularly in rural and remote areas. An Ontario start-up has launched a solution aimed to lessen the burden on struggling veterinary practices and make services available to more farmers. Colin Yates and his father, Glen, who has been a mixed practice veterinarian for more than 45 years, […] Read more
Clean label soy ingredients produced in Ontario
New Protein Global has developed a technology to process soybeans without hexane
An Ontario-based company has developed a technology to produce soy protein for the plant-based food and ingredients sector. New Protein Global’s proprietary and trademarked extraction process, BioPur, uses a 100 per cent bio-based solvent to press oil from soybeans, replacing a widely used compound called hexane. Why it matters: The food industry has been seeking […] Read more
Livestock sector offers opportunity for hemp market
Alberta company works to bring hemp-based poultry feed to market
The livestock feed industry is always looking for new sources of protein that will deliver production results and reduce costs for farmers. A promising option is hemp, and Alberta-based AltaGreen is working to bring a hemp-based poultry feed to market in Canada. Why it matters: Hemp offers a sustainable protein source for animal feed. Hemp […] Read more
Recycling livestock manure into clean water and nutrients
A technology that separates the liquid and solid components of manure allows farmers to benefit from its value
An Alberta company used its expertise in contaminated soil cleanup to create an innovative solution to recycle livestock manure into clean water and high value nutrients. At approximately 75 per cent water, managing liquid manure is complex and expensive, so much of its potential is unused. Growing regulatory pressure regarding manure limits farm expansion in […] Read more
National network proves new tech
Canadian Agri-Food Automation and Intelligence Network puts innovations to the test
Automation is often held up as a solution to labour shortages experienced by many industries, including agriculture. The precision that comes with automation is also widely seen as a key to better, more sustainable production of food and agriculture products. This summer will mark four years since the federal government announced $49.5 million in funding […] Read more
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