John Greig, Glacier FarmMedia’s senior technology editor, talks about what he expects to learn at the AGRI Tech Venture Forum in Toronto, May 1 and 2, 2024.
VIDEO: Ag-tech venture forum kicks off in Toronto
Device promises practical cow-calf data collection
Alberta company aims for easy cow-side data collection and traceability
Glacier FarmMedia – When Bill Leask and Mark Olson met at a Lion’s Club meeting about four years ago, Leask was a cow-calf operator with a need and Olson was an information technology expert who could build him a solution. That meeting resulted in the development of Flokk Systems, pitched as a durable hardware and
Choosing a sow housing model that works for you
A U.S. hog farm with 20 years of loose sow experience has tried four major systems with varying success
Glacier FarmMedia – There are many options when choosing a loose sow housing system and the decision mostly depends on hog farmers’ confidence in husbandry and technology. Canadian hog farmers are gradually moving toward loose housing for gestating sows, but debate continues over which system is best. Why it matters: Making decisions on which sow
Batch milking combines parlour with robotic automation
The system can save labour and milk large numbers of cows
Glacier FarmMedia – A new concept in dairy equipment management brings the automation and data of robotic milking to a milking parlour orientation. DeLaval has several installations around the world where cows are herded into a holding area from which they access a group of automated milkers. “It really comes down to you and how
Livestock sector raises issue with new traceability reporting times
CFIA update will also bring goats, farmed deer and elk under traceability
An online consultation on livestock traceability came back with widespread support for the general premise, but with concerns about tighter timelines for reporting and tag retention. Last year, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency unveiled proposed changes to Canada’s national livestock traceability rules, including a shorter window in which producers are to report animal movements and
More BSE-era trade irritants may soon disappear
The Canadian Cattle Association continues to work on resolving specified risk material and U.S. cattle holdback issues
Two remaining irritants from the BSE crisis could soon go by the wayside. The United States has had to segregate a much smaller list of specified risk materials (SRMs) than Canada, which has resulted in more competitive challenges for beef processors. The loss of small and medium-sized processing has been significant, said Dennis Laycraft, executive
Planter and seed drill join forces
Horsch has created a concept to bring the advantages of a planter to smaller-seeded crops
Is it a planter or a drill? If a concept machine created by Horsch eventually comes to the market, someone might have to invent a new category. “We’re trying to mix and trying to get the best of both worlds, which is a seed drill and a corn planter,” said Laurent Letzler, who manages Horsch
Quick test could improve livestock treatment decisions
Researchers use water troughs to monitor antimicrobial resistant bacteria
Glacier FarmMedia – Researchers are seeking ways to manage antimicrobial-resistant bacteria on farms, including quicker evaluation of bacteria so treatment can be better targeted. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and University of Saskatchewan veterinary school researchers are studying feedlot water troughs, hoping the water can tell them what sort of anti-microbial resistant bacteria are present. Antimicrobial
New Holland combine boosts productivity, maintains size, weight
The new design changes how drive lines work
Glacier FarmMedia – New Holland’s new CR11 combine moves more bushels than any previous New Holland combine, but takes up the same space on the road thanks to award-winning engineering. The CR11 Increases productivity for the New Holland line, as it has 775 HP, two 24-inch rotors, a grain tank capacity of 20,000 litres and
Opinion: Keep balance in research funding
Many ingredients went into the mix that resulted in the extraordinary success of agriculture in feeding a growing population. There’s the ability of farmers to constantly learn and increase their management skills. There are also vast improvements in technology – mechanical, digital and biological – that have come from researchers in both private companies and
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
