Robot weeder is on the way Monday, December 3, 2012 It started out as a robot that would cut the grass in urban parks. Somebody thought that spinning blades were a bad idea with kids and dogs on leashes around, and so the idea evolved into an automated lettuce weeder, according to The Economist magazine.The electric-powered Lettuce 'Bot, brainchild of Stanford University-trained engineers Jorge Heraud and Lee Redden, takes pictures of passing lettuce plants, compares them to a database of more than one million images of lettuce taken from all possible angles and instantly decides if they should live or die. A shot of concentrated fertilizer out the back end kills weeds and the remaining lettuce gets a growth blast as well. A version of the machine, currently under development, aimed at organic lettuce producers, favours those old spinning blades.The makers promise that the robots will be cost-competitive with hand weeding. BF Phosphorus levels in our lakes: Is no-till the culprit? Are urban farms too big?
Canadian Innovation Aims to Transform Nitrogen Fertilizers While Eliminating Microplastics Wednesday, September 16, 2026 A Canadian agricultural technology company is taking aim at two of agriculture's most pressing environmental challenges with a new fertilizer innovation designed to improve nitrogen efficiency while eliminating microplastics from crop production. Burnaby, B.C.-based Lucent BioSciences... Read this article online
Canadian Wool Council Opens New Trade Pathways in Italy as Canada Looks Beyond U.S. Markets Wednesday, September 16, 2026 As Canada continues to strengthen trade relationships beyond the United States, the Canadian wool industry is taking a significant step onto the global stage. The Canadian Wool Council (CWC) has launched its third international trade mission, bringing a delegation of Canadian wool... Read this article online
Bruce County International Plowing Match Nears Wednesday, September 16, 2026 With the 2026 International Plowing Match and Rural Expo less than a week away, Bruce County residents, farmers and businesses are being recognized for helping create a welcoming showcase of rural Ontario. Organizers recently celebrated the winners of the 2026 International Plowing... Read this article online
Canada Trade Tribunal Submits Report on Vegetable Imports and Potential Industry Injury Monday, September 14, 2026 The Canadian International Trade Tribunal (CITT) has submitted its report on imports of certain vegetable goods to the Governor in Council following a six-month safeguard inquiry into potential injury to Canadian producers. The Tribunal announced Sept. 9 that the report contains its... Read this article online
Canadian Staccato® Cherry Patent Dispute Ends in Major Settlement Monday, September 14, 2026 Canada's tree fruit breeding program has secured a significant legal victory in a long-running intellectual property dispute involving the popular Staccato® cherry variety. Summerland Varieties Corp. (SVC) announced that it and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) have reached a... Read this article online