That's a funny-looking bird! Monday, October 6, 2014 In the farming future, the unmanned aerial vehicle monitoring the chlorophyll levels in your crops or precision-spraying your fertilizer may never come down to earth. Joseph Moore, a PhD candidate at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, is working on a drone that can recharge its batteries by perching on power lines.A magnetometer installed inside the drone would be able to detect magnetic fields given off by power lines. The drone could then land on the line and power up through inductive charging. Moore modelled the prototype's perching on the landing movements of birds.He gave Business Insider a demonstration of the technology using a model glider and, while the glider did not actually perch, it was able to come "within centimetres" of a mock power line.This technology could eliminate one of the most impractical aspects of unmanned aerial vehicles – their low battery life, currently only 10 to 30 minutes according to Gizmag.com. BF Help on the way for overworked farmers Behind the Lines - October 2014
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
Ag community wanted for cover crop survey Wednesday, January 14, 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
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
Ontario Prairies Cover Crop Survey Launch Tuesday, January 13, 2026 As cover crop use continues to expand across Ontario and the Prairie provinces, a new survey has been launched to better understand how these practices arechanging onfarms. The survey aims to collect valuable information about how cover crops are being used, what benefits they provide, and... Read this article online