Advanced field robotics, including laser and high-voltage electricity, is transforming agriculture with AI-driven precision, lower labour costs, and reduced soil disturbance.
Tag Archives electricity
Robots, lasers, and AI, Oh My!
Advanced field robotics is transforming agriculture with AI-driven precision, lower labour costs, and reduced soil disturbance.
Smart Energy Company brings the Noreaster solar solution to Ontario
Solar system is modular, allowing operations to adapt the system over time to offset capital costs
A New Brunswick-based company is offering personalized micro-solar farm systems to Ontario farmers to help them lower on-farm electricity costs and bolster supply. “The cost of electricity is skyrocketing. It’s unpredictable. Farmers love finding unique solutions to help generate their independence,” said Jeff McAloon, Smart Energy co-owner. “And we help farmers generate independence.” Why it […] Read more
Editorial: Beware of the electric hunters
According to the Ontario government, the future is electric. If you’ve watched television or browsed online lately, advertisements for Ontario’s electric future have been plentiful. Putting the cart before the horse, the ads have been running for several months, long before Energy Minister Todd Smith finally laid out the province’s plan to achieve its electric […] Read more
Dreyfus, others shut soy crushers in China on power curbs
'Cash is on fire'
Beijing | Reuters — Soymeal prices in China, the world’s top consumer of the animal feed ingredient, are rising after at least 20 soybean crushing plants shuttered to comply with curbs on industrial power consumption, industry participants said on Friday. Five crushing plants in the northern city of Tianjin closed this week, said Tianfeng Futures […] Read more
Facing green push on farm, fertilizer makers look to sea for growth
Winnipeg/Oslo | Reuters — Two of the world’s biggest fertilizer producers, CF Industries and Yara International, are seeking to cash in on the green energy transition by reconfiguring ammonia plants in the U.S. and Norway to produce clean energy to power ships. The consumption of oil for transportation is one of the top contributors to […] Read more
New solar panels grab light from above and below
Potential solution towards balance between crop growth and electricity generation capabilities
Electricity is a major expense for Canadian greenhouse growers. At the same time, large greenhouse facilities offer potential to produce renewable solar energy — but the challenge to date has been how to do that without impacting the growth and productivity of the crop inside. A potential solution from Ontario solar panel manufacturer Heliene is […] Read more
New energy efficiency funding program available for greenhouses
Electrical agency issues targeted call for proposals
The Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) is looking to help fund energy-efficiency measures at Ontario greenhouses through a specialized call for proposals under its existing Grid Innovation Fund. The arms-length Crown corporation responsible for Ontario’s electricity market recently published a new “Greenhouse Energy Profile Study,” which included the call for proposals. Why it matters: This […] Read more
Mini-biodigester offers big output for Ontario dairy farm
Ontario’s only mini-biodigester has been operating for more than a year and has changed how Harcolm Farms manages manure
After about 18 months of operation, Ontario’s one and only mini-digester is going strong. It’s situated at Harcolm Farms near Beachville, Ont., and owned by dairy farmers Rob and Rachel McKinlay. Minis are a fraction of the cost of a full-sized digester (there are more than 40 here in Ontario) and require much simpler permitting. […] Read more
FCC to offer flexibility in hurricane-battered areas
Farm Credit Canada says it plans to help its farmer clients in Atlantic Canada work around financial pressures following Hurricane Dorian’s passage through the region over the weekend. “We won’t know the full extent of damage for some time, but we’ve already heard that some customers will likely be facing some financial hardship as a […] Read more
Knowledge gaps, infrastructure costs perpetuate stray voltage issues
The problem has existed for decades and continues to cause problems on Ontario farms
The devastating impact of stray voltage on farms has been well documented, but determining its true source can often be a long, painful process for farmers and electric utilities alike. Indeed, the immense cost to utility companies of reconfiguring electricity grids — as well as gaps in knowledge on the part of farmers and contractors […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
