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
Using innovation to save declining species
Appleflats harvests and processes crab apples, creating its own technology to make it work
Dairy start-ups target individual producer problems
Adoption will depend on individual needs of the farm, along with potential for integration
Introducing new ideas and innovations to the global dairy industry has long been a feature at the World Dairy Expo (WDE). Due to the pandemic, last year the expo offered the opportunity for dairy technology start-ups to present their ideas to dairy producers via a virtual format, the Global Dairy Tech Start-up Spotlight. Although in-person […] Read more
Carbon border adjustments pending
Policy was first mentioned in the 2020 climate plan, and it now it seems it will be a reality
Carbon border adjustments are coming to Canada. It is just a matter of when. Ten days before calling the election, the Liberal government announced consultations would officially begin on border carbon adjustments (BCAs). A policy paper detailing the policy was included. BCAs aim to reduce the so-called “carbon leakage” that occurs when a company leaves […] Read more
New Puma boasts better lighting, more digital options
Case IH tractor increases flexibility for operator and has more transmission options
Case IH now has its new Puma tractor version into Canada, after its arrival was delayed by COVID-19-driven challenges. The new Puma is split into two groups, based on short and long wheelbase. The shorter wheelbase tractor is more maneuverable, with lower horsepower, whereas the longer wheelbase tractors are more powerful and with more options […] Read more
Demand booms for organic foods
Consumers with more disposable income boosted organic purchases during pandemic
Glacier FarmMedia – Demand for organic food and beverages is booming in Canada, according to a newly released study. Sales topped $6.5 billion in 2020, a 33 per cent increase over 2017 levels, according to a report published by the Canada Organic Trade Association (COTA). The 2017 figures represent the last time the group published its […] Read more
Machine learning uncovers ‘genes of importance’ in agriculture
Science Notes: Technology can also predict additional traits in plants, disease outcomes in animals
Machine learning can pinpoint “genes of importance” that help crops to grow with less fertilizer, according to a new study published in Nature Communications. It can also predict additional traits in plants and disease outcomes in animals, illustrating its applications beyond agriculture. Using genomic data to predict outcomes in agriculture and medicine is both a promise and […] Read more
Comment: Canada can get back to business, carefully, with China
China has gone from a gigantic opportunity for Canada on multiple fronts to being an almost perfect balance of opportunity and risk
Glacier FarmMedia – Now that the Meng-Michaels swap has taken place, is everything back to normal with China? That’s going to occupy the minds of an awful lot of Canadian farmers, agriculture industry people and food folk as we walk past the epic three-year diplomatic crisis with China. Figuring that out will take a long […] Read more
It’s not just about the tractor anymore
Overcoming misconceptions about working on agricultural equipment important to attract youth to the industry
As farm equipment becomes more high-tech, it is a challenge to find qualified technicians. That was the consensus of panellists during a discussion at the virtual Changing Faces of Agriculture event hosted by the London Chamber of Commerce and the Western Fair District. The panel featured Lindsay Marten, human resources manager for Huron Tractor, Dan […] Read more
Ontario Young Farmers Forum moves to an in-person and virtual program for 2021
The Junior Farmer’s Association of Ontario (JFAO) is planning a hybrid Ontario Young Farmers Forum (OYFF) event with both in-person and virtual sessions this year. The 2021 OYFF program will consist of in-person farm tours and a four-part virtual speaker series. There will be two in-person farm tours held in early November; one in the […] Read more
Aerospace know-how focused on planting
System delivers corn seed tip-first into the row to capture more yield potential and improve weed control
Glacier FarmMedia – Keith Strang and Mitch Dille had just finished a project in the aerospace industry and were thinking about starting their own company but they needed a problem to solve. Dille, also a farmer, discovered one at a local trade show. A world-record corn grower mentioned the need for a system capable of […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
