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It’s critical to slash the amount of energy needed to produce nitrogen fertilizer — and quantum computing and artificial intelligence could do that within five years by revolutionizing the chemical process used to make N, says Teo Laino, manager of IBM Research Zurich.
News

A fertilizer revolution is on the horizon

IBM says it will produce a breakthrough within five years that will greatly lower the energy needed to make nitrogen

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As fledgling technology goes, quantum computing sounds as science fiction as it gets. But if IBM fulfills a bold promise it made in September, crop producers will see the fruits of this technology within five years. By using quantum computing and artificial intelligence to speed up the process, IBM researchers are confident they can revolutionize […] Read more
Using innovative techniques to achieve crop traits, the company developed camelina lines that produce bioplastic in the seed.

Crops

New camelina produces plastic in the seed

The amount of polymers is small but an American company hopes to continue to increase levels

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Glacier FarmMedia – An American firm is developing a new type of camelina, that produces bioplastic in the seed. Yield10 Bioscience of Massachusetts announced recently that the bioplastic in the seed could eventually be used to make biodegradable consumer products, such as Ziploc sandwich bags or bio-degradable grocery bags. Why it matters: There’s increasing concern […] Read more
Early planting soybeans appears to have little detrimental effect on yield.
Crops

Stepping up soybean yields

Agronomic improvement and genetics have built improved soybean production

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Soybeans yields have continued to increase decade over decade, including a jump of 23 per cent in average yield in Ontario from 2010 to 2020 compared to the previous decade. A good part of that increase is from genetics, but it’s also agronomic management. Dr. Dave Hooker, an associate professor at the University of Guelph’s […] Read more
The Pixaberry unit holds a strawberry. It is being developed in British Columbia.
News

Startups compete for Canadian Thrive challenge

Seafood traceability software takes top spot

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A seafood traceability company took top spot in a recent challenge organized by Thrive, a Silicon Valley agricultural technology investor. Nine Canadian agriculture and food startups competed as finalists, with British Columbia seafood traceability company ThisFish taking the top spot. Why it matters: As the agriculture and food sectors shift towards digitization and precision tools, […] Read more
Food safety, surveillance focus of new CFIA funding
News

Food safety, surveillance focus of new CFIA funding

New trade agreements drive need to monitor imports, help with exports

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Glacier FarmMedia – The Canadian Food Inspection Agency plans to spend $162.6 million over the next five years to improve services. Why it matters: CFIA plans to increase its surveillance and oversight programs so it can better respond when new food pathogens, invasive species or other diseases are identified. According to the federal government, the […] Read more
Eastern Canadian beef farmers vaccinate at a lower rate compared to those in the west, resulting in cattle more likely to become ill.
Livestock

Cow-calf management has big effects in feedlots

In-utero management of calves can assure a better functioning immune system

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Making minor adjustments to health management may result in higher returns for cow-calf and feedlot operators. “I think there’s money being left on the table,” said Greg Dimmers, Metzger Vet Services veterinarian. “And potential things that could be done a little bit differently that can end up with a better-finished product at the end and […] Read more
Alexandra Sébastien (left) with colleagues at an apiculture research site.
News

Genetic technologies rooted and ready to sprout

How RNAi and gene editing could impact farms

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Biotechnology advancements are promising to reshape agriculture as the full potential of tools such as RNAi and gene editing gain acceptance. The full potential of mRNA to speed up vaccine development leapt to the forefront during the fight to contain the pandemic, but it’s biotechnological cousin RNAi has been quietly gaining momentum in food and […] Read more
Indonesia has a growing middle class that provides a potential market for Canadian products.
Markets/Business, News

Canada, Indonesia explore trade deal

Broader Southeast Asian pact could have potential

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Glacier FarmMedia – Canada is exploring a potential trade pact with Indonesia as it continues to seek out deals in the Asia-Pacific region. International Trade Minister Mary Ng made the announcement Jan. 11. Why it matters: Asian-Pacific nations make up one of the largest potential growth markets for Canadian agricultural commodities, especially given the increased […] Read more
Livestock trucks are one of the areas where new technology is becoming available.
News

Trucks roll forward into the digital age

New regulations, but also drive for data create new options for trucks

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As new federal driving-log policies for commercial vehicles are poised to take effect in June, some say there is an opportunity for digital monitoring tools to be expanded to the rest of the truck. Why it matters: Rigorous, readily accessible digital records can be more efficient and reliable than paper records. They can also be […] Read more
Women and people of colour have not had the opportunities that white men have had available.
News

Editorial: A willingness to be better

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There’s value in the move by farm groups to include diversity and inclusion as parts of their driving principles. There was significant online debate about Beef Farmers of Ontario’s new diversity and inclusion statement. Beef Farmers of Ontario lists seven points in its commitment to diversity, but this paragraph in its statement on the subject […] Read more

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