Transport Canada recently released new rules governing the use of drones, which are expected to take effect June 1. These new regulations apply to Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) or “drones” that weigh 25 grams up to 25 kilograms and are flown within the pilot’s visual-line-of-sight. Why it matters: Drones are playing a significant role […] Read more
Tag Archives Other — page 115
New drone flying regulations announced
Greater popularity of drone use has prompted changes to previous rules for flying them
Opinion: Can the new food guide dish up good agri-food policy?
The release of Canada’s Food Guide on Jan. 22 was, predictably, followed by hot debate. The food guide has a long history of being contentious and although government asserts that the newest version is based on science, which some debate, critics seem more concerned about its wider societal implications. The 2007 version was criticized as […] Read more
Ontario Federation of Agriculture general manager stepping down
Long-serving Neil Currie will retire at the end of the summer
After 19 years as general manager of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA), Neil Currie has announced his retirement. Currie, the longest-serving general manager in the organization’s 83-year history, will continue in his role until Aug. 30, 2019. “We’re grateful for Neil’s long-term leadership of OFA, Canada’s largest general farm organization,” says Keith Currie, OFA […] Read more
Autonomous technology hamstrung by liability risks
Just about anyone can build a self-driving implement using open source software, but “your insurance company is going to puke”
For farmer and inventor Brian Tischler, the question isn’t whether autonomous tractors are cool, possible, or useful — it’s how to overcome the liability risk if something goes wrong. Tischler told farmers attending CropConnect in Winnipeg recently it’s possible to build your own self-driving vehicle for around $1,000 using open-source software. He’s done it. That’s […] Read more
The good, the bad, and the uncertain
Agriculture takes a cautious but optimistic economic step into 2019
The last few years have been good for business, generally speaking, but as some notable headwinds gain strength, Canadian farmers may want to approach the coming year with caution. Uncertainties regarding trade and economic health south of the border, as well as upward pressure from input costs and interest rates, make it difficult to predict […] Read more
Editorial: A farm leadership foundation
I didn’t really connect with my Greig grandparents when I was young. To my young self, they lived in a tidy house in Listowel, with a lot of breakable knickknacks, but always lots of food. We usually had to dress up to visit on a weekend. Rambunctious play was discouraged. They came across to the […] Read more
Stoking conflict between farming and conservation hurts everyone
Agriculture businesses and the environment both need to be sustainable
Canada’s future prosperity will depend on effective environmental conservation and sustainable — and profitable — agriculture. Unfortunately, recent comments from former Saskatchewan premier Brad Wall pit the two concerns against each other unnecessarily. Agriculture and the environment are not mutually exclusive, and polarization of the issues only undermines progress toward successful and sustainable solutions. A […] Read more
Making gasoline from wood pulp
Renewable energy: A Swedish researcher is using a pulp and paper byproduct to power cars
Lund, Sweden | Reuters – Might tree roots, twigs and branches one day be used to power cars? That’s what a Swedish researcher is hoping after developing a pulp byproduct that, on a modest scale, does just that. Chemical engineering scientist Christian Hulteberg, from Lund University, has used the black liquor residue from pulp and […] Read more
A keyless security system can protect your fuel
Two versions were designed to accommodate both large and small operations
Nearly every farmer has had fuel go missing from farm storage tanks. And with recent high-profile incidents surrounding farm security, now is a good time to think about keeping all that expensive fuel right where it belongs. A new invention is designed to do exactly that. Fuel Lock allows for keyless control of fuel transfer […] Read more
New system lets farmers make money off their farm data
Farmers will be able to own and control their data and decide when it can be shared or purchased
Whether we know it or not, data is being gathered with every Facebook visit, link click, or Google map search we make. Smartphones transmit information about our location and activities; every online purchase provides someone with information that is used and analyzed. Most people have no idea this is happening and most certainly no idea […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
