The laser weeding machine used by Kerr Farms in Chatham-Kent has 42 cameras under it, 30 of which are tied to lasers to pick out weeds down to one millimetre accuracy.

Slow burn: Weed control at 0.2 kilometres per hour

A laser weeder helps with weed control in high-value crops

Kerr Farms was presented with a challenge by one of the buyers for its conventional carrots: could they grow them organically? Nature’s Finest, a major Ontario supplier of root vegetables to supermarkets, had a request for more organic carrots from retailers. Kerr Farms already grew some crops organically, says Bob Kerr, but carrots proved a […] Read more


A panel of three dairy farmers at Grey-Bruce Farmers Week noted diverse experiences with robotic milking.

Use of robotic milkers continues to grow, but it’s not for everyone

Producers share lessons learned and why robot milkers work for them, or why they don’t

If growth continues in Canadian dairy farmers’ use of robotic milkers, robots will milk half of the national dairy herd by 2040, said Carolin Turner. Turner, with Holstein Canada’s classification field services, told Grey-Bruce Farmers’ Week dairy day participants that 130 Canadian dairy herds transitioned to or built a new robotic barn in 2021. Why […] Read more

cow at a milking machine

Researchers target robot-specific effects on health, milk quality

Automated milking systems focus of numerous University of Guelph studies

Researchers at the University of Guelph are focusing on milking robots as they dive into ongoing studies of milk quality and dairy cow health. Results of several studies on the effects of automated milking systems were presented at the Dairy at Guelph showcase held Nov. 2 at the university’s arboretum.  Why it matters: As automated […] Read more

A Savoye X-PTS shuttle. Scott Technology has had a joint venture agreement in place with Savoye since 2020 to use Savoye automated carton storage and retrieval systems in Scott material handling systems. Scott said it also plans to use the Savoye system in its project for JBS at Brooks. (ScottAutomation.com)

JBS to automate beef warehousing at Brooks

Packer to replace current fully manual system

International meat packer JBS has enlisted a major robotics and automation company to overhaul the warehousing system at one of Canada’s biggest beef plants. JBS Foods Canada on Friday announced a $71 million project in partnership with New Zealand-based Scott Technology, to design and build a system that can handle and store up to 85,000 […] Read more


Sougata Pahari (r) and Jim Clark (l) of Korechi Innovations, pictured with one of their company’s prototype RoamIO robots at Haggerty Creek in 2020. The robot design was the foundation of a larger farm platform now used by the Bothwell business.

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

(Onfokus/E+/Getty Images)

Automated ag skills program developed for Saskatchewan workforce

Protein supercluster, U of S supporting non-profit agency's program

Corrected, May 24 — A national skills-building organization focused on connecting employers with “untapped” labour markets sets its webcams this summer on the automated and digital ag sectors. Not-for-profit organization Palette Skills has launched a new eight-week online program for Saskatchewan residents focused on automation and digitization in agricultural production and processing. The enrolment deadline […] Read more

Raven’s Omnipower 3200 will work with earlier SeedMaster implements, but the company is focusing on spraying and spreading operations and developing options with CNH, its new parent company.

Raven releases a more robust robot

Omnipower units remain compatible with existing attachments as CNH considers further autonomous options

Glacier FarmMedia – Raven’s Omnipower agricultural robot now has more power and a better controls system. “We’ve beefed up the frame and some of the structural elements to allow that extra power to be handled by the frame. There’s a redesigned caster wheel system and we put higher flotation, higher weight capacity tires on,” said […] Read more


Field robots are arriving quickly, but what is the return compared 
to a person-driven tractor and implement?

Robotics ROI could edge out traditional implements for some operations

Growers need to determine whether it’s worth it or not depending on use

Agricultural robotics aim to do the jobs no person wants to do or the tasks that are simple but time-consuming.  “We have to start automating tasks for two reasons,” said Sougata Pahari, CEO and founder of Korechi. “Somebody needs to work on the farm, but also this will draw new blood, fresh blood into the […] Read more

Benchmarking data from BDO indicates that the profitability of robots compared to parlours is very similar. What system to choose comes down to preference and availability of labour.

Parlour versus robot financials prove systems are surprisingly similar

BDO’s national benchmarking data compares dairy farm profitability

Is it better to invest in a parlour or robots? It’s a question many dairy farmers are facing as they consider their next expansion and make future plans. The answer depends on labour availability and personal preference, according to a team of national accountants who have recently developed financial benchmarks for both milking systems. The […] Read more