The Vineland Research and Innovation Centre is working on solutions to a devastating disease in tomatoes, the brown rugose fruit virus. It has undertaken a breeding program in collaboration with the Ontario agriculture department and Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers. Why it matters: There are no varieties resistant to tomato brown rugose fruit virus and infection […] Read more
Tag Archives vineland research and innovation centre
Researchers collaborate to bring rugose resistant tomato varieties to Canada
The disease has been deemed a top priority for industry and government
Vineland refines test for apple quality
New measurement standards may be necessary for adoption
Measuring friction might be the best way to determine apple quality, says a new project from the Vineland Research and Innovation Centre. Tribology, the science of wear, friction, and lubrication, is commonly used in food processing for semi-solid products like yogurt and spreads. The institution says new research shows it’s also effective enough to replace […] Read more
Local propagation a sweet potato opportunity
Reliance on North Carolina propagators could present challenges for Canadian growers
Ontario’s sweet potato sector might not be large, but researchers at the Vineland Research and Innovation Centre says market opportunities in domestic propagation could help drive lucrative growth in the commodity. Why it matters: Existing greenhouse infrastructure could be used to improve domestic sweet potato production. Valerio Primomo, a vegetable breeder with Vineland, is involved […] Read more
Vineland hires new automation leader
Hussam Haroun has joined Vineland Research and Innovation Centre (Vineland) as director of automation. In his new role, Haroun will oversee Vineland’s activities related to automation, artificial intelligence and digital agriculture technologies. He launched his own start-up after patenting and commercializing a new technology during graduate school. As CEO, he secured more than $3 million […] Read more
Made-for-Ontario tomatoes get Dutch distribution partner
Vineland Research and Innovation Centre (Vineland’s) tomatoes designed for Ontario conditions now have a distribution partner. Vineland has partnered with Eminent Seeds to produce and distribute the seeds for the first three varieties of greenhouse-grown tomatoes-on-the-vine (TOVs) developed by the research and innovation centre with input from both consumers and growers. The Netherlands-based company, chosen […] Read more
Expanded focus gives agricultural research clusters more diversity
Automation, grape and wine, and small acreage field crops among new research funding
Five new research areas were added to the national research cluster program when it was launched last year by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. Automation, grape and wine, diverse field crops, integrated crop agronomy and biomass were added to the existing cluster program. The cluster program started in 2008 under Growing Forward and was expanded under […] Read more
Federal funds to support agricultural innovation
Funding intended to accelerate automation and digitization in agriculture sector
The federal government continues to fund large agriculture organization networks with the aim to improve automation in the sector. Why it matters: Tech-adoption on the farm is increasingly identified as an opportunity to make Canadian agriculture more competitive. Governments and industry are devoting resources to support this direction. Up to $49.5 million has been pledged, […] Read more
Automated mini cucumber loader now on the market
Projects at Vineland Research and Innovation Centre reduce labour costs through automation
A robotic loader that can take the manual labour out of placing greenhouse mini cucumbers onto trays is now available on the market. Developed by researchers at the Vineland Research and Innovation Centre (Vineland) in partnership with CMP Automation of Ayr, the technology is part of ongoing efforts to reduce labour costs for farmers through […] Read more
New CEO joins Vineland Research and Innovation Centre
Ian Potter comes to Vineland with years of experience managing research organizations
Vineland Research and Innovation Centre (Vineland)’s board of directors has appointed Dr. Ian Potter as chief executive officer. Potter replaces Dr. Jim Brandle who resigned in November, starting April 1. Potter will also join the Vineland Board of Directors at that time. Over a 25-year career, Potter has served in senior leadership roles with both […] Read more
New table grape varieties for Ontario could diversify market
Ontario growers have only had one main short-season variety to grow
There’s lots of unrealized potential in the table grape market in Ontario, as one variety has dominated production. That’s about to change. Ontario’s main homegrown fresh table grape is a variety called Sovereign Coronation, a semi-seedless blue grape that’s ready for market over a six- to eight-week period in late summer and early fall. Driven […] Read more
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