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Tag Archives agricultural technology — page 2

Editorial: Big food investments growing in agriculture
Ten years ago, the news that a food company such as McCain Foods Ltd. purchased predictive crop technology company Resson would have raised a few eyebrows. Many may have wondered what a company known for its frozen French fries would want with a company that develops digital technology for farmers. But in recent years, such […] Read more

Opinion: Tiny tech now dominant in agriculture
A giant hole was punched through the berm around the dam on the Maitland River in Gorrie during a flood a few years ago. I grew up on my family’s farm near Gorrie and it’s strange to see the whole dam now gone as the decision was made to remove it instead of rebuild it. […] Read more

Why is Ontario a hub for ag tech development?
Diversity of industry, prolific expertise and other factors help propel innovation
Robotics and autonomous equipment are taking the agriculture sector by storm, or at least appear poised to do so in some areas. For technology developers in Ontario, a diverse economic environment and comparatively large pool of expertise have helped make the province one of many artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics development hubs. Daniel Bath, research […] Read more

Agronomy research grows on local, international level
Veritas Farm Management takes a multi-faceted approach to farm profitability, environmental study
Ontario agricultural service provider Veritas Farm Management continues to grow from its Chatham-Kent roots and now has projects in data-based agronomy across North America. Established in 2010 and acquired by Deveron in 2015, the company’s role as an independent, data-based agronomy consultant has expanded to include projects with Michigan State University, American agricultural retail companies, […] Read more

Supplementing — not replacing — large tractors with autonomy
There are opportunities for small robots on small grain farms
There is ample opportunity for robots on small farms if prices can fit with lower economies of scale. That philosophy is the driving force behind Maryland-based ag-tech start-up Easton Robotics. According to founder and chief executive officer Jeff Chandler, however, the idea that small farmers will replace their big tractors with autonomous vehicles, or use […] Read more

Startups compete for Canadian Thrive challenge
Seafood traceability software takes top spot
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

Opinion: Technology changes – but adoption barriers don’t
Farmers are still waiting for companies to explain their new technology proposition
The capabilities of digital technologies change regularly, but how developers speak about adoption in the ag-sector doesn’t. The rhetoric and questions posed are the same as those asked several years ago — namely, what is required for more farms to adopt data technologies? The fact that such a fundamental question has not changed makes me […] Read more

Improved screenless drying means lower fire risk
A new dryer tumbles grain side to side as it dries
Glacier FarmMedia – Conventional screen-type grain dryers allow kernels to be placed directly on the hot screen, thus damaging those kernels. However, there are a small number of dryers that don’t use a screen. Dave Wall of Wall Grain has been selling dryers since the early 1980s including his Vertec, Ibec, Neco or MC dryers. […] Read more

Bringing Big Data to the Canadian beef industry
Drinking station also records cattle weights accessible by device
An Irish startup with a Canadian connection has developed what it says is the world’s first completely automated livestock performance and health monitoring system. StrongBó Agritech’s BovineHub collects and analyzes live data through its automated weighing system that company founder and CEO Micheál McInerney believes has the potential to reshape modern beef production. Its trials […] Read more

Universal yield monitor available in Ontario
FarmTRX system adaptable to all combines, old and new
The Troo Corp., a web-based mapping and tracking company, released a universally adaptable, Canadian-designed yield monitor in Ontario this year. Called FarmTRX, the company is touting the technology as cost-effective, accurate, and easy-to-use yield mapping system that can be retrofitted onto combines of all colours, size, and vintage. Why it matters: Yield monitoring technology is […] Read more