Innovation Archives - Manitoba Co-operator

Curious cattle line the fence under a threatening sky in the Grey-Bruce area. Stock Photo by Diana Martin

‘Everything is tuberculosis,’ ag funding debates included

Even in this advanced technological age, our tools against tuberculosis in both people and cattle still date back to the dawn of germ theory

By Alexis Stockford October 19, 2025

Tools available against tuberculosis, in people and cattle alike, still appear to date back to the dawn of germ theory, showing a gap still exists between public interest and commercial profitability when it comes to innovations in human and animal health.

a red tractor obscured in dust while working in dry soils. Pic: Alexis Stockford

Columns, Op/Ed

The double-edged sword of being an agricultural innovator

Canadian agriculture needs innovation and resilience, but being first in line also means taking on risk, sometimes without much of a safety net

By Dave Bedard October 10, 2025

A new report suggests Canada’s farmers have been “overly reliant” on business risk management programs such as crop insurance, AgriStability and AgriRecovery as “the only risk management solution.” Should farmers now go out on a limb trying new ways to mitigate those risks?

A 2019 field tour in western Manitoba highlighted soil health gains made through changes to on-farm practices.

Op/Ed

Canadian farmers need new tools to support on-farm innovation

Farmers need risk managment buffer that actually works and investment that drives advancements forward if Canada is to build resilience

By Karen Ross September 23, 2025

Farmers need a risk management buffer that actually works and investment that drives advancements forward if Canada is to build resilience.

Panellists talk about how connections to farmers help make sure their products will resonate. Jesse Wiebe, left, moderated the panel that included Colin Yates, left, Shari van de Pol and Matt Stevens. Photo: John Greig

News

Ag tech success potential improved with farmer connections

By John Greig September 11, 2025

Ag tech company success is more likely when they connect with farmers to pilot test their potential products.

Donna Boyd, Agricultural Manufacturers of Canada president, back left, and Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show’s man in black, Rob O’Connor, show director, emceed the Innovation Program Awards on Sept. 8, 2025, the night before the Farm Show opened. Chuck Baresich, Haggarty AgRobotics founder, back centre, won in the Equipment category. Behnam Abbasian, BioFerScience, back right, won in the Livestock category. Kristine White, Spornado CEO and co-founder, front left, took home the Agronomics award. LaSalle Agri Inc., Marketing Coordinator Amin Phoenix, accepted the Environmental Sustainability award, and Bruna Mion, Lactanet dairy production expert, captured the Business Solutions award. Photo: Diana Martin

Innovators honoured ahead of Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show 2025

September 9, 2025

Glacier FarmMedia – The Innovations Program Awards recognized the best and brightest in agricultural equipment and innovation ahead of Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show 2025. The ceremony, held Monday night at the show site outside Woodstock, honoured winners across five categories: agronomics, business solutions, environmental sustainability, equipment and livestock. Find more coverage of Canada’s Outdoor Farm

Chuck Baresich, Haggerty AgRobotics, explains how the Pixelfarming Laser One–i prototype was adapted to fit the Orio NAiO’s frame during the Ontario Crops Research Centre in Bradford on July 9, 2025.

Crops

Lasers and artificial intelligence: welcome to high-tech weed control

Energy-based weed killing technology is emerging in a landscape where herbicide resistant weeds have become a persistant and growing problem for Canadian farmers.

By Diana Martin September 4, 2025

Energy-based weed killing farm equipment is emerging in a landscape where herbicide resistant weeds have become a growing problem for Canadian farmers.

The University of Guelph appointed Dr. Rene Van Acker as the 10th president and vice-chancellor, effective July 2, 2025.

News

Rene Van Acker appointed University of Guelph’s 10th president

Noted academic got his start at the University of Manitoba’s agriculture faculty

By Diana Martin August 1, 2025

The University of Guelph’s board of governors unanimously approved the appointment of world-renowned scholar and leader, Dr. Rene Van Acker, as its 10th president and vice-chancellor beginning July 2, 2025.

Crops, News

VIDEO: Green Lightning and Nytro Ag win sustainability innovation award

Recipient says accepting award was a humbling experience

By Jonah Grignon July 17, 2025

Nytro Ag Corp and Green Lightning recieved an innovation award at Ag in Motion 2025 for the Green Lightning Nitrogen Machine, which converts atmospheric nitrogen into a plant-usable form.

Andy O’Brien, CEO of GoodLeaf Farms, at the company’s Guelph, Ont. facility. He said the company is on track to be the world’s first profitable vertical farming operation.

Crops

Canada’s GoodLeaf Farms on track to become first vertical farm worldwide with all facilities profitable

Vertical, indoor farms have generated hype and have bee touted for their ability to reduce Canadian reliance on U.S. produce imports, but checking financial boxes has been an issue

By Lilian Schaer June 26, 2025

Vertical, indoor farms have generated hype and have bee touted for their ability to reduce Canadian reliance on U.S. produce imports, but checking financial boxes has been an issue

News & Opinion

Fifteen winners named in Manitoba Ag Days’ Innovation Showcase

Strong field resulted in an additional runner up for the 2025 show

By Gord Gilmour January 22, 2025

At the 2025 Manitoba Ag Days 15 exhibitors were given awards in the annual innovation showcase.

Daily Network News

U.S. livestock: Cattle futures slow descent

U.S. grains: Soybeans, wheat plummet from highs on limited Chinese demand

Feed Grain Weekly: Prices starting to pick up

Tag Archives Innovation