Better livestock health through more precise management represents a significant greenhouse gas reduction opportunity for livestock farmers, says a senior executive with an animal health multinational. Innovation is a major way to accomplish that goal, Jamie Brannan told participants at the recent European Animal AgTech Summit. Brannan is a Zoetis vice-president and cluster lead for […] Read more
Data collection in the barn can help farmers make better decisions
Well-managed animals can reduce GHG emissions by 30 per cent, says researcher
What’s needed to increase on-farm adoption of innovation?
Simple, affordable and secure solutions that deliver are key, says farmer panel
There is no shortage of innovation – and innovative ideas – in the agriculture sector. In recent years, there’s been rapid growth globally in the number of tech accelerators, innovation challenges and pitch competitions focused on farming and its supply chain. Bioenterprise is building a name for itself as Canada’s food and agri-tech engine as […] Read more
Using innovation to save declining species
Appleflats harvests and processes crab apples, creating its own technology to make it work
Glen and Alex Smyth have ambitious plans for a once commonplace fruit that many Canadians are no longer familiar with. Billed as North America’s only crab apple orchard, Appleflats Foods near Wellesley is on a mission to save a species and grow a new industry in the process. The young co-founders didn’t set out to […] Read more
Mushrooms offer new products and opportunities
Fungi are the newest trend in plant-based alternatives
The popularity of pea and soy-derived proteins as food ingredients is growing rapidly due to strong consumer demand for alternative proteins and meat substitutes. Mushrooms are a promising plant-based ingredient emerging along with those foodstuffs. Why it matters: According to Natural Products Canada, fungi can transform solid matter, changing both its chemical composition and its […] Read more
Innovation Guelph accelerator celebrates 10th anniversary
Agri-food businesses have benefitted from innovation support
It’s been 10 years since a regional centre with a mission to help innovative entrepreneurs opened its doors in Guelph. Innovation Guelph’s accelerator programs have supported more than 1,300 southwestern Ontario businesses in the agri-food, information and communications technology, advanced manufacturing and cleantech sectors. Why it matters: The Bloomberg Innovation Index, which annually ranks the […] Read more
Greenhouse CO2 application technology expands global reach
Canadian company CO2 GRO says growers can get up to 30 per cent yield improvement
A growing number of feasibility projects for a water-based carbon dioxide application technology that improves greenhouse crop yields are now underway in Canada. Launched in 2018 by Toronto-based CO2 GRO, the trademarked and patented CO2 Delivery Solutions system makes it possible for growers with greenhouses, hoop houses, tunnels or shaded structures to use CO2 supplementation […] 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
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
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
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
