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?
Ag community wanted for cover crop survey Saturday, January 17, 2026 Researchers from Manitoba and Ontario are looking for members of ag communities from Alberta to Ontario to participate in a questionnaire about cover crops. The confidential survey is open to any farm type and size whether the operation has ever grown cover crops. “We don’t just want... Read this article online
Canada Negotiates Tariff Reductions on Canola Seed by China Friday, January 16, 2026 Mark Carneyhas concluded hisvisittoBeijing for high-level meetings with Chinese leaders, includingXi Jinping. The visit marked the first trip to China by a Canadian prime minister since 2017 and resulted in a joint statement outlining a new strategic partnership between the two... Read this article online
Bushel Plus rebrands to BranValt for global harvest-tech growth Thursday, January 15, 2026 Bushel Plus Ltd., a well‑known name in harvest optimization tools and training, is preparing for a major brand transformation as it shifts to a new global identity: BranValt. The company recently announced that the transition will officially take effect in July 2026, marking a... Read this article online
Loveland launches AQUA FORCE to boost water efficiency in pivot-irrigated fields Tuesday, January 13, 2026 Loveland Products, Inc. has introduced AQUA FORCE, a new water‑use‑efficiency product built specifically for center pivot irrigation systems and designed to help farmers get more value from every inch of applied water. Unlike traditional surfactants or wetting agents, is formulated to move water... Read this article online
New program supports Canadian farmers with succession planning Tuesday, January 13, 2026 A new program is available to help Canadian farm families on their succession plan journeys. Groundworks is a collaborative effort between the Canadian Centre for Agricultural Wellbeing, AgriRisk Managers, and Loft32, along with support from AAFC. The program supports farmers with... Read this article online