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

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

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?




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

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






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.

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

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