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The Canadian dollar has dropped from about 76 cents to the U.S. dollar to about 71 cents since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Markets, News

Weak loonie only gets Canadian farmers so far

Collapsing oil prices have weakened Canada’s currency, but only against the U.S. greenback, which dilutes the benefit

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Glacier FarmMedia – The good news is that the Canadian dollar is likely to remain weak for the foreseeable future, according to most analysts. The bad news is that the weakness, which tends to boost Canadian agricultural values, might only exist compared to the American dollar, and that might not mean much. “Who am I […] Read more
Canada has been involved in several international commitments to ensure trade continues with its partners during the COVID-19 pandemic.
News

WTO trade pledge applauded

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Glacier FarmMedia – The Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance is applauding the World Trade Organization for its commitment to stable international trade during the COVID-19 crisis. Canadian officials joined other WTO countries in committing to maintain essential global links during the pandemic. Why it matters: Maintaining strong trading relationships and open international markets is vital to […] Read more
“We have growers very interested in post-harvesting solutions…. If you look at it on the picking side, that’s a much more difficult challenge.” – Hussam Haroun.
Machinery, News

Why farming systems lag in adoption of automation

Technology plus systems plus support infrastructure are needed before automation can take root on Canadian farms

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Researchers around the world, including those in Canada, have been racing to create technology that can reduce the workers required on fruit and vegetable farms and in processing plants. But the pace has been slow and the big labour savings so far have been limited. Why it matters: Finding ways to get the job done […] Read more
Panelists at the recent Canadian Club of Toronto event included Cathy Lennon, top left, general manager of Ontario Federation of Agriculture; Garnet Lasby, bottom left, president of Massily North America; Danielle Barran, president of McCain Foods Canada, top right. The event was moderated by Sylvain Charlebois, professor in food distribution and policy at Dalhousie University.
News

Panelists say COVID-19 outlines shortfalls in agriculture industry

More help from government and more local production could assist with recovery from the pandemic

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In just a couple of months, the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the food system drastically for producers and consumers. Panelists on a recent video seminar hosted by the Canadian Club of Toronto say the food service industry shut down was the biggest impact on the agri-food sector and has made clear shortfalls and opportunities within […] Read more
Canadian Mushrooms Growers’ Association CEO Ryan Koeslag speaks online with members of the Commons standing ag committee. (Video screengrab from Parl.gc.ca)
Crops

Federal ag supports ‘too little, too late’ for mushroom growers

Timing of programs for TFWs, surplus food purchases leaves aid out of reach: CMGA

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Ottawa — Members of Parliament sitting on the committee dealing with agricultural issues continue to hear concerns over the federal government’s response to COVID-19. During the Commons standing committee on agriculture and agri-food’s online meeting Wednesday, representatives of the Canadian Mushrooms Growers’ Association raised “grave concerns” over the support CMGA members have received. CEO Ryan […] Read more
Asian giant hornets have noticeably large orange heads and black eyes; worker hornets are about 3.5 cm in length; queens can be up to four to five cm in length, with a wingspan of four to seven cm. (B.C. Ministry of Agriculture)
Livestock

More ‘murder hornets’ found in B.C., Washington

Findings suggest some were able to overwinter

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Reuters/Staff — Officials in British Columbia and Washington state have confirmed new sightings of the Asian giant hornet, dubbed the “murder hornet,” indicating the invasive, predatory insect survived the winter in the Vancouver area and U.S. Pacific Northwest. The stinging hornet, whose queens can grow as large as 2-1/2 inches in length, could potentially pose […] Read more
Chuck Baresich, general manager for Haggerty Creek Ltd., poses with the first working Dot Power Platform in Ontario.
Machinery, News

Autonomous technology big and small tried in Ontario

Haggerty Creek sees value in its new Dot Power Platform and RoamIO swarm-style robot

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The equipment fleet at Haggerty Creek Ltd., a grain elevator and farm service provider near Bothwell, is gaining autonomy both large and small. By June, both a Dot Power Platform and RoamIO swarm-style robot will be active members of its equipment lineup. And, with plans to market at least one of the two autonomous farm […] Read more
David Kayi, a Hello Tractor engineer, installs an application on a John Deere 5503 tractor, using the Hello Tractor technology that connects farmers with vehicles’ owners, at a hay farm at Umande village in Nanyuki, Kenya. Photo: Reuters/Njeri Mwangi
Machinery, News

Deere taps tractor-hailing tech in bid to break ground in Africa

Low incomes, lack of credit hobble African mechanization

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Reuters – It’s ride-hailing, farm style. Deere and Co. is teaming up with the “Uber of tractors” in Africa and betting on a future where farmers summon machines with the touch of a button. The world’s leading farm equipment maker is outfitting its tractors with startup Hello Tractor’s technology, which allows farmers to hail the […] Read more
E.O.I Technologies founder Alex Sulkin presents at the Techstars accelerator competition.
News

Sensor technology could prevent foreign material contamination in processing plants

Contamination is detected from a distance away from the assembly line, avoiding extra cleaning and processes

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A Calgary-based start-up is about to start trials on an innovation for food processing facilities it says can prevent foreign material contamination of food products. E.O.I Technologies is preparing to launch a pilot project with a major poultry processor in the southern United States that focuses on large-scale, remote monitoring and predictive analytics of conveyor […] Read more

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