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Tag Archives greenhouse — page 2

The disease-sensing robot that will scout greenhouses.
Machinery, News

Plant-disease-detecting robot created at University of Guelph

Finding disease symptoms before humans can see them could put an early stop to spread

By
A smart robot with disease detection, plant monitoring and labour-saving capabilities is in the works for Ontario’s greenhouse vegetable sector. The Guelph Intelligent Greenhouse Automation System (GIGAS) is an integrated robotics system under development by the University of Guelph to automate some of the most labour intensive greenhouse tasks. Why it matters: As labour becomes […] Read more
Greenhouses keep growing in Ontario, meaning greater energy demands.
News

New energy efficiency funding program available for greenhouses

Electrical agency issues targeted call for proposals

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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
Made-for-Ontario tomatoes get Dutch distribution partner
News

Made-for-Ontario tomatoes get Dutch distribution partner

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Vineland Research and Innovation Centre (Vineland’s) tomatoes designed for Ontario conditions now have a distribution partner. Vineland has partnered with Eminent Seeds to produce and distribute the seeds for the first three varieties of greenhouse-grown tomatoes-on-the-vine (TOVs) developed by the research and innovation centre with input from both consumers and growers. The Netherlands-based company, chosen […] Read more
(SerresLefort.ca)
Crops

Major Quebec hothouse grower seeks creditor protection

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One of Quebec’s best known greenhouse propagators, who in recent years launched an aggressive expansion into organic vegetables, is seeking creditor protection. Les Serres Lefort, which operates almost 50 acres of greenhouse facilities at Sainte-Clotilde in Quebec’s Monteregie, announced Sept. 10 it had filed a notice of intention on Sept. 6 to file a proposal […] Read more
With phosphorus, less might be plenty
Crops

With phosphorus, less might be plenty

A long-term trial shows repeated phosphorus applications don't correlate with higher yield

By
You could be over-indulging your crops — and it might be costing you. New Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) research indicates crops growing in soils consistently treated with applied phosphorus (P) take more than their necessary share. With a steady abundance of the nutrient, soil microbes that work to make P more available to the […] Read more
An aerial view of Orangeline Farms. (CNW Group/Mucci Farms)
Crops

Grower of Zing peppers under new ownership

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A major greenhouse vegetable grower in southernmost southern Ontario is expanding its reach in the region. Mucci Farms, based at Kingsville, just west of Leamington, announced Wednesday it has bought a controlling stake in Leamington-based Orangeline Farms, the grower of Zing Healthy Foods greenhouse peppers. Financial details weren’t disclosed in Mucci’s release Wednesday, but CBC […] Read more
Roselyne Labbé applies Artemia to pepper plants. Applications made during the project’s duration were carefully measured, and done using a small hand applicator.
News

Supporting beneficial insects during lean times

Researchers find ways to perpetuate beneficial insect populations in greenhouses

By
At one time a citizen militia made up the core of Canada’s armed land forces. Effective as it was fighting our more southerly neighbour, though, it was eventually replaced by a more professional standing army. In the war against pests, researchers are trying to help greenhouse growers do the same. That is, introduce pest-fighting beneficial […] Read more
File photo of a small greenhouse operation in Quebec. Greenhouse crop producers will be among the specific beneficiaries of a new federal pilot program for temporary foreign workers. (ManonAllard/E+/Getty Images)
Markets

Agriculture foreign workers get new path to residency

By
Updated, July 15 — The federal government has announced a pilot program that will make it easier for farms and food companies to maintain workers they recruit from around the world. Ahmed Hussen, minister for immigration, refugees and citizenship, announced the program Friday at Maple Leaf Foods in Mississauga. Why it matters: There’s a labour […] Read more
Motorleaf’s artificial intelligence software can accurately predict vegetable yields from greenhouse crops like these pepper plants weeks ahead of harvest.
News

Smart software makes greenhouse vegetable harvest predictions more precise

Artificial intelligence system also automates disease scouting for greenhouses

By
Big data is powering new software that can predict highly accurate greenhouse vegetable yields weeks ahead of harvest. Using growing conditions in the greenhouse, Motorleaf’s smart system is able to estimate within a few percentage points how many peppers and tomatoes a greenhouse will produce and when. According to the Quebec-based start-up, a wealth of […] Read more
A robotic cucumber loader could replace two people.
News

Automated mini cucumber loader now on the market

Projects at Vineland Research and Innovation Centre reduce labour costs through automation

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A robotic loader that can take the manual labour out of placing greenhouse mini cucumbers onto trays is now available on the market. Developed by researchers at the Vineland Research and Innovation Centre (Vineland) in partnership with CMP Automation of Ayr, the technology is part of ongoing efforts to reduce labour costs for farmers through […] Read more

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