Last year, a made-in-Canada system to alert farmers to the presence of airborne crop pathogens was showcased as one of Canada’s top 101 Most Innovative Predictive Analytical Companies. The Spornado is a simple and low cost in-field tool that passively traps air- and waterborne spores on specialized filters. Those filters are then analyzed for the […] Read more
Canadian early alert system expands services for fungal crop diseases
Spornado can detect fungal spores in many crops and help growers make targeted spraying decisions
A better way to track bee health
Tracking colonies used for pollination services allows beekeepers to prevent losses and make better management decisions
A new automated apiary management platform lets beekeepers track their hives individually to make better management decisions. According to Quebec-based start-up Nectar Technologies, the ultimate goal of BeeTrack is to help raise more sustainable bees. A third of the world’s crops depend on bee pollination and according to the Canadian Association of Professional Apiculturists, Canada’s […] Read more
Food waste put to use in formula to boost root growth, sugar content
Nurture Growth uses microbes from waste to let plants fix their own nitrogen
The power of rescued food waste is being harnessed to lessen farmers’ dependence on synthetic fertilizers. A bio-organic formula using food waste developed by Mississauga-based Nurture Growth that contains more than 20 microbes lets plants fix their own nitrogen and has been shown to boost yield and make plants more resilient. Why it matters: Under […] Read more
Smart, invisible fence brings precision rodent control to the farm
Ultrasonic sound waves prevent rodents from getting into buildings
Precision management on the farm may soon extend beyond growing crops or feeding livestock to also include rodent control. A Newfoundland start-up is working to bring ecoBloc to market, a smart, invisible fence that gives off high frequency ultrasonic sound waves designed to keep mice and rats away from grain and feed storages and equipment […] Read more
Canada’s agriculture innovation sector has momentum, experts say
Capitalizing on interest and supporting entrepreneurs key to keep momentum going
There’s a sense of optimism and excitement in the Canadian agri-tech and innovation sector these days – and despite ongoing challenges, the future shines bright with opportunity. That’s according to panelists at the recent THRIVE Spotlight on Canadian Agri-Food Innovation, where the Silicon Valley-based global accelerator announced its first Canadian cohort of start-up companies. Why […] Read more
New accelerator helps agri-food start-ups THRIVE
Silicon Valley-based investor platform announces its first cohort in Canada
The new THRIVE Canada Accelerator has unveiled the participants in its first cohort for Canadian agri-food innovation start-ups. It’s led by SVG Ventures | THRIVE, a leading global investment platform headquartered in California’s Silicon Valley that has been helping start-up founders and entrepreneurs around the world since 2010. Why it matters: Producing more with less […] Read more
Algae, plant-growth chambers and insects could fuel future astronauts
Canadian Space Agency announces Phase 1 winners of Deep Space Food Challenge
One of the many current limitations of long-distance space travel is how to keep the people on those missions fed. And although we’re nowhere near a Star Trek-style replicator that can create and serve up any dish or drink on command, Canadian companies are working on some innovative solutions that could also benefit those of […] Read more
Showcase gives stage to ag innovators
Investments will help female-founded companies further their product development goals
A Founders’ Showcase hosted in early December introduced 11 Canadian female-founded agri-food start-ups to a network of mentors and U.S-based investors. It was an initiative led by Joanne Fedeyko, founder of the Canadian Women’s Network Silicon Valley and chief executive officer of Connection Silicon Valley, which helps companies collaborate, innovate and partner in California’s tech […] Read more
Canadian company brings carbon-friendly sulphate alternative to market
Byproduct from oil and gas industry offers sustainable fertilizer input
A Canadian company has launched a product that could help farmers meet sustainability demands without comprising yield – and provide a cost advantage over conventional products. SulGro is a non-synthetic, micronized elemental sulphur product that Sultech Global Innovation Corp. of Calgary says can replace conventional ammonium sulphates found in synthetic fertilizer programs. Why it matters: […] Read more
UK start-up hopes to bring asparagus harvesting robot to Canada
International innovation partnerships open new doors for bringing technologies to North America
An emerging network of international partnerships has resulted in a United Kingdom-based agri-tech start-up looking to bring its automated asparagus harvesting robot to Canada. Muddy Machines is in the first cohort of a virtual residency program focused on advanced manufacturing technology. It is hosted by the MaRS Discovery District in Toronto in partnership with Innovate […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
