The Impact of Solar Development on Wetlands: Literature Review and Jurisdictional Scan is a report commissioned by some heavy-hitters in the conservation world.

Report says more research needed into solar’s impact on wetlands

Stakeholder report says there’s little understanding of the relationship between green energy and wetland ecosystems

Reading Time: 3 minutes Solar energy capture and healthy wetlands are key tools for many conservationists, including some farmers, but do they necessarily live together in harmony? A new report asks that question and makes one overarching recommendation: more research is needed to measure the impacts of solar developments on wetland health. The Impact of Solar Development on Wetlands: […] Read more

A DOT (now OmniPower) autonomous unit at work on the Olds College Smart Farm. (Olds College video screengrab via YouTube)

Smart farm competition encourages farmers to adopt technology

Competition will serve as opportunity to create and develop smart farm networks

The Canadian Agri-Food Automation and Intelligence Network (CAAIN) is seeking applications for a competition geared toward creating or developing new smart farm networks. Funding under this initiative will support collaborative on-farm tech innovations in hopes encouraging farmers to adopt emergent agriculture technology. CAAIN receives funding from Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada to address challenges […] Read more


McCain foods has launched Presia Ag Insights, a firm that will use artificial intelligence to advise growers.  Photo: McCain Foods

McCain launches new predictive ag firm

McCain Foods has formed a new digital agriculture subsidiary, Presia Ag Insights. The move builds on McCain’s 2022 acquisition of a “predictive crop portfolio” from Resson, a Fredricton, New Brunswick firm that uses artificial intelligence to advise farmers on crop management decisions. McCain, in a media release, said the Presia launch is “the result of […] Read more

Darren Wolchyn (at right), founder and CEO of Smart Paddock, receives the Innovation Award from Kevin Chung, director of innovation investments and programs at Innovation Saskatchewan, at the Canadian Animal Ag Tech Awards. (Lisa Guenther photo)

At Agribition: Livestock tech companies earn new spotlight

Canadian Animal Ag Tech Awards presented

Three companies were crowned winners at the first annual Canadian Animal Ag Tech Awards on Thursday during Canadian Western Agribition in Regina. The event spotlighted companies creating technology for the livestock industry, with products ranging from water sensors to artificial intelligence-powered monitoring systems. Australia’s Smart Paddock received the Innovation Award. The company’s GPS ear tags […] Read more


(Romaset/iStock/Getty Images)

Ottawa lines up with farmers on right-to-repair

Feds to call for owners to be able to repair their own equipment

The federal government says it’s siding with Canadian farmers on the right-to-repair debate. An announcement this week from the federal government called for an adjustment to the Competition Act that would prevent manufacturers from refusing to provide the means of device and product repair in an “anti-competitive manner.” That declaration came in the government’s 2023 […] Read more

FCC’s J.P. Gervais (left) and Fred Wall (right) discuss productivity at the Agriculture Enlightened conference in Winnipeg Oct. 26.

Ag productivity gain rate is shrinking

Canadian agriculture needs innovation, more flexible and accessible regulation

Reading Time: 2 minutes Canadian agriculture productivity is growing, but the rate of growth is slowing, agriculture and tech leaders heard Oct. 26. “The low-hanging fruits are gone,” said J.P Gervais, Farm Credit Canada’s chief economist. The comments came during a discussion with Fred Wall, FCC’s vice-president of marketing and digital agriculture, at the Agriculture Enlightened conference in Winnipeg […] Read more


Photo: John Greig

Agritechnica wrap-up: New combines, tractors and industry trends

Agritechnica is the world’s largest agriculture machinery show, drawing more than 400,000 people from around the world to Hannover, Germany. Glacier FarmMedia Senior Technology Editor John Greig was there and summarized the major product launches and some of the ag-tech industry trends he observed. – John Greig is a senior editor with Glacier FarmMedia. Watch for much […] Read more

Yevgen Mykhaylichenko says “No matter where you are, all you need is high-speed internet, clever people, smart students and desire to go further with these systems.”

From Olds to the front lines of Ukraine

College instructor splits time between precision agriculture education in Canada and supporting troops in his home country

Reading Time: 3 minutes Yevgen Mykhaylichenko is trying to bring more autonomous systems to Canadian agriculture, and he’s using knowledge acquired abroad to do it. Splitting his time between academia and the Ukrainian front line, the Ukrainian professor and Olds College technology integration specialist works with a wide range of digital technologies and hardware. On frequent visits to Ukraine, […] Read more


The new Massey Ferguson 9S is the company’s highest horsepower tractor in its lineup at up to 425 horsepower.  Photo: John Greig

Agritechnica update: A new big horsepower Massey, adjustable hay conditioning and automation matures

Massey Ferguson released its new high-horsepower 9S tractor at Agritechnica. It’s the next tractor for Massey Ferguson with the unique 18 cm gap between the cab and the engine, which makes it more conformable for the operator and with better sight lines. It’s also new highest horsepower tractor available from Massey Ferguson at 425 maximum […] Read more

Marcel Kringe, founder and CEO and Courtney Baxter, global marketing manager, with Bushel Plus show one of the combine concaves they are marketing at Agritechnica.  Photo: John Greig

Agritechnica update: Canadian content and a John Deere update

There’s significant Canadian content at Agritechnica. Large companies like AGI and MacDon have impressive displays with significant real estate. I also happened upon the Canada pavilion, packed with companies familiar to many of us, including Honey Bee, Mankato, Schulte and Bushel Plus. The companies say that there’s value in companies from Canada banding together to […] Read more