The agriculture industry could never be accused of being stagnant when it comes to embracing new methods or technologies that enable more efficient food production. It has also made huge strides in improving the sustainability of farming practices while increasing production of affordable food. However, as industry leaders gathered at the GrowCanada conference in Calgary […] Read more
Tag Archives technology — page 13
Comment: New paths to agricultural sustainability change the competition
New investment, technology and food products are changing the value proposition
Supplementing — not replacing — large tractors with autonomy
There are opportunities for small robots on small grain farms
There is ample opportunity for robots on small farms if prices can fit with lower economies of scale. That philosophy is the driving force behind Maryland-based ag-tech start-up Easton Robotics. According to founder and chief executive officer Jeff Chandler, however, the idea that small farmers will replace their big tractors with autonomous vehicles, or use […] Read more
Editorial: Protein prognostication
Where will livestock, plant and cultured proteins fit in the marketplace?
Feeding the world with enough protein is one of humanity’s challenges in the next few decades, and there’s room for lots of it to be produced, including from animals, plants and cultured meat proteins. The big question is what proportion of the market will be filled by which and what the economics will look like […] Read more
Producers might farm-out robotic agricultural tools services
Whether it’s a drone in the air, a soil sampler in the field or picking tools, it’s a service
Glacier FarmMedia – Agricultural robots have opened the door for more farm operations to be contracted out to service companies. The pace of new robotic-based agricultural platforms developed and tested on North American fields is accelerating, and many of these companies are targeting a service model for their business plan. Traditional ag retailers plan to […] Read more
Ag-tech in 2021: Where to go from here?
There are advances and challenges for equipment developers
Improvements in autonomy and artificial intelligence (AI), as well as persistent adoption barriers, characterized much of the ag-tech sector in 2021. During a Nov. 10 Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show event, Glacier FarmMedia technology reporters Scott Garvey, Robin Booker and Ron Lyseng described the areas where developers are succeeding, where they’re falling short, and how new […] Read more
Data collection in the barn can help farmers make better decisions
Well-managed animals can reduce GHG emissions by 30 per cent, says researcher
Better livestock health through more precise management represents a significant greenhouse gas reduction opportunity for livestock farmers, says a senior executive with an animal health multinational. Innovation is a major way to accomplish that goal, Jamie Brannan told participants at the recent European Animal AgTech Summit. Brannan is a Zoetis vice-president and cluster lead for […] Read more
Blockchain basics
A Manitoba start-up aims to bring blockchain to the agriculture sector
Glacier FarmMedia – The word “blockchain” may more readily conjure the image of cryptocurrency than of oats and pulses, but experts say blockchain’s future in food transparency and other ag application is a given. “I think we’re going to see some form of blockchain or digital ledger underpin food systems in the future,” said Chris […] Read more
Bill Gates’ green tech fund bets on farming robots
As some parts of North America struggle under a crippling drought, a California startup that believes robots can grow produce more sustainably has raised US$50 million in a funding round led by Bill Gates’ Breakthrough Energy Ventures. Iron Ox uses robots that are integrated with a hydroponic system consuming 90 per cent less water than […] Read more
The ag game is changing and the intelligence is inside
Artificial intelligence in agriculture is at the technology farmgate with machines that think like farmers
Glacier FarmMedia – Artificial intelligence may soon create a sea change in agriculture that could challenge conventional crop production and farm management techniques. Many components required to build autonomous, smart agricultural equipment for vegetable and grain production in North America are already proven technologies. Sensors including cameras, radar and lidar (light detection and ranging), as […] Read more
Using innovation to save declining species
Appleflats harvests and processes crab apples, creating its own technology to make it work
Glen and Alex Smyth have ambitious plans for a once commonplace fruit that many Canadians are no longer familiar with. Billed as North America’s only crab apple orchard, Appleflats Foods near Wellesley is on a mission to save a species and grow a new industry in the process. The young co-founders didn’t set out to […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
