A local start-up has developed a compact, rugged autonomous robot that can automate a wide range of agricultural tasks, like soil sensing, applying inputs, and harvest yield prediction for grapes. Korechi Innovations’ RoamIO features an expandable platform that is compatible with different functional attachments — similar to the DOT technology from western Canada —has a […] Read more
Tag Archives technology — page 21
Robot automates hard-to-fill jobs in agriculture and turf
The RomeIO robot is being tested in many uses in agriculture where labour is scarce
Editorial: Watching for the next great leap in agriculture
Agriculture has been the productivity star of the Canadian economy for the past 50 years, says John Stackhouse of the Royal Bank. But he also says that predictable productivity improvement seen almost every year is flagging and he’s not sure why. He told the Ontario Federation of Agriculture’s annual meeting that for agriculture to become […] Read more
Agriculture technology aimed at many farm levels
Large technology companies aren’t just targeting North American farms with innovations
Agriculture technology and solutions are increasingly driven by the need to solve problems in poorer and less-food-secure areas of the world. Companies developing technology are keeping both traditional farms and developing farms in mind because it is the socially responsible thing to do and because both are serious business markets. Why it matters: A focus […] Read more
Editorial: Finding new ways of thinking
It pays to get out of your comfort zone sometimes, pushed to think a bit differently — especially if it’s about your line of work or something about which you are passionate. I recently attended a conference called the Sustainability and Digitalization Leaders in Agriculture. When the organizers first reached out to me — likely […] Read more
Drones helping farmers control pests, and keep kids in school
In addition to helping farmers map fields and fertilize more efficiently, they also annoy pests
Thomson Reuters Foundation – Ephraim Kofi Kenney does not like to work in the fields scaring pests away. But today he must. A flock of migratory birds has repeatedly invaded his parents’ rice plot outside Accra, Ghana’s capital, and the 16-year-old has been tasked with keeping the invaders away from the young crop. If he […] Read more
Mechanical exoskeletons may one day reduce effort, injury risks for farmers
Researchers are looking to test the technology on farmers doing their daily tasks
Glacier FarmMedia – Farming is a real pain in the back. But a bolt-on solution is on the way. Years of prolonged bending, lifting and shovelling contributes to back pain and is typical of many tasks in agriculture. “We know that farmers get very high rates of back injury. Even higher than in some other […] Read more
Ag sector growth will take investments in skills, tech now: RBC
One of Canada’s big six banks bets the agriculture sector’s gross domestic product could rise by nearly 60 per cent over the next decade if it were to have enough people, capital and access to new technology where ag lives. A report released by RBC on Tuesday titled “Farmer 4.0” estimates Canadian ag GDP could […] Read more
Researchers work together to find high-tech solutions to deal with hotter climate
Scientists are looking at everything from improved genetics to robots to help farmers maintain productivity as the world heats up
London | Thomson Reuters Foundation – In decades to come, African farmers may pool their money to buy small robot vehicles to weed their fields or drones that can hover to squirt a few drops of pesticide only where needed. Smartphones already allow farmers in remote areas to snap photos of sick plants, upload them […] Read more
Plant tissue culture growth system wins award
University of Guelph innovation simplifies plant propagation
A tissue culture growth system was recently awarded the People’s Choice Award at the first annual Gryphon’s LAAIR innovation showcase and pitch competition. We Vitro, a new company that evolved out of research at the University of Guelph’s Gosling Research Institute for Plant Preservation (GRIPP), received $5,000 to further commercialization efforts. Its growth system is […] Read more
What’s new in the world of drone technology?
Machine learning making its way into the drone world
The shock and awe of drones may be less than it was a decade ago, but the agricultural potential of the technology continues to develop. Artificial Intelligence (AI), and a better understanding of scalability give drones and drone operators the ability to gather and usefully interpret field information down to the millimetre level. Why it […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
