Brian Gilroy is the 2023 recipient of the OFVGA’s Industry Award of Merit. He received the award at the Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association’s annual industry banquet in Niagara Falls Feb. 21. An apple grower from the Meaford area, Gilroy has been involved with the OFVGA board in various capacities since 1990 and was […] Read more
Tag Archives Vegetables — page 4
Brian Gilroy receives Industry Award of Merit
Former OFVGA chair honoured for contributions to fruit and vegetable industry
Greenhouse innovator Mastronardi recognized for industry contributions
The Kingsville producer introduced the world’s first branded tomato
Innovative greenhouse pioneer Paul Mastronardi was recently recognized by the Ontario Produce Marketing Association with a lifetime achievement award. “This award is an incredible honour for me and my family,” said Mastronardi. “I was born into this industry and had the great fortune of learning from the legacy of three generations before me. I feel […] Read more
Harrow research team finds key to continuous greenhouse lighting
Unlocking the potential of photosynthesis and growth
Growing greenhouse crops under continuous lighting has been a dream since the 1930s and moved closer to reality with the advent of LED lighting. Now, a team of researchers at Agriculture and Agri-food Canada’s Harrow Research and Development Centre aims to make continuous lighting an actuality. Continuous lighting effectively spreads a plant’s total lighting needs […] Read more
Vertical farm research shows increased nutrient density with amber LED exposure
Impact of amber LED could be a game changer for northern Ontario food production
The impact of amber LEDs (light emitting diodes) on Brassica microgreens highlights the potential for year-round nutrient-dense vertical greenhouse growth in food security-challenged areas. “By increasing amber-blue LED lights while decreasing red, microgreens showed increased production of antioxidants, particularly the carotenoid nutrient,” said Dr. Xiuming Hao, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) research scientist. Why it […] Read more
OGVG hosts tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV) symposium
The Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers (OGVG) hosted a tomato brown rugrose fruit virus (ToBRFV) symposium on Aug. 22 in Toronto that brought together top researchers from countries across Europe, North America and Israel to share insights, experiences and learnings about the virus. Postponed from its original date in 2020, the anticipated event was the first […] Read more
Aurora buys control of major B.C. hothouse veg firm
Bevo Farms to take over Aurora Sky cannabis production site
A major player in B.C.’s greenhouse vegetable sector is about to expand its operations into an Alberta cannabis grow facility — backed by a major investment from the plant’s owner. Aurora Cannabis on Aug. 25 announced a subsidiary is buying a 50.1 per cent stake in Bevo Agtech, the parent of vegetable and ornamental plant […] Read more
Produce prices spike in flood-hit Pakistan as food crisis looms
Flooding wrecks crops, hampers logistics
Lahore | Reuters — Vegetable and fruit prices have soared in markets across Pakistan as devastating rains ruin crops and disrupt supplies, an early sign of how the worst floods in decades are creating food shortages at a time of financial crisis. Pakistan’s 220 million people are already facing rampant inflation, with consumer prices up […] Read more
Vertical farming startup Vision Greens raises $7M
Ontario-based and Canadian-founded Vision Greens officially launched its lineup of Foodland Ontario certified non-GMO, pesticide-free leafy greens. The company grows lettuce varieties in a vertical farm using proprietary growing technology. It recently raised $7 million from what the company said are “investors that are purpose-driven business leaders, including members of the Canadian grocery segment focused […] Read more
Waste not: Adding value on horticultural waste
A recent study maps out how the horticulture sector can gain value from waste
Nearly three-quarters (74 per cent) of Canadian fruit and vegetable waste occurs before it reaches consumers, according to a recent study by the Vineland Research and Innovation Centre (Vineland). One-third of that is landfilled and is considered unavoidable due to current processing and grading standards. To help the horticulture sector improve its environmental sustainability, Vineland […] Read more
Smart LED grow-lights system supports year-round pepper production
Expanding production would boost competitiveness of the Ontario greenhouse vegetable sector
Innovative lighting technology could allow Ontario vegetable greenhouses to grow peppers all year long. That’s the result of a project funded through the Greenhouse Competitiveness and Innovation Initiative (GCII), which also found that the smart LED grow lights system results in higher yields, better quality and more uniform crops. Why it matters: Year-round production of […] Read more
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