Reading Time: 2 minutes A growing number of funds want to invest in companies that are starting new businesses or expanding in agriculture and I can see that change from the first Agri Tech Venture Forum I attended a few years ago. That’s great news, as the agriculture startup world was bereft of alternative finance options until about five years ago.
Is it time for a farmer venture fund?
Maritime beef producers get price protection
Two-year pilot gives Maritime producers an equivalent program to the rest of the country
Producers in New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island, and soon Nova Scotia, will have access to a program that will allow them to purchase insurance on price protection for their beef cattle in case of an unforeseen market disruption.
Plant-based protein navigates market reckoning
Improved taste, texture and value are hoped to make the sector more competitive
Reading Time: 3 minutes Glacier FarmMedia – Lessons have been learned from the downturn in the plant-based protein marketplace, including what could have been done differently when it came to marketing, product development and consumer expectations. Attendees heard that message during a panel of industry representatives in the plant-based ingredient space at the recent Agri Tech Venture Forum in Toronto. “The problem […] Read more
American company growing larger roots through gene editing
Cquesta plans to decrease drought risk, increase carbon sequestration
Reading Time: 2 minutes Glacier FarmMedia – An American company is gene editing roots to make them grow larger so plants can better tolerate drought and sequester more carbon. Cquesta CEO Michael Ott told the Agri Tech Venture Forum in Ontario earlier this spring that half the human impact on carbon released to the atmosphere can be accounted for […] Read more
Dutch greenhouse seed production aided by technology
World Seed Congress tours greenhouses responsible for developing new tomato, leafy green varieties
The Netherlands is known for its greenhouses and its seed production. A tour on the third day of the World Seed Congress concentrated on both of those leadership positions for the country.
Gene editing race, illegal seed use in crosshairs at World Seed Congress
European Union pushes for alternative seed coatings in a bid to reduce microplastics
Canada is now green on global maps shown at the World Seed Congress in Rotterdam. There’s regulatory certainty for gene-edited crops after regulations were announced in April. That means Canada can play a part the rapid growth of innovation around the world.
World Seed Congress addresses global supply chain challenges
The World Seed Congress is on in Rotterdam, Netherlands with a discussion of the major issues facing the seed and crops sector. The major issues on the agenda include the challenges that the decline in free trade and globalization brings to major suppliers of seeds, the acceptance of gene editing and the technology involved in that process.
New program focuses on data literacy for cow-calf producers
Case studies and mentoring will help give farm data decision-making power
The Data Literacy for Cow-Calf Producers project aims to give farmers and ranchers the chance to discuss best practices and learn from experts and peers about how to use data to make better business decisions.
Data management has varied adoption in the cow-calf sector.
Ag tech venture capital stays on sidelines
Entrepreneurs need patience, more plan to achieve profitability to unlock investment
Agriculture venture capital investment was an outlier in 2023, as it increased slightly over 2022, according to the Canadian Venture Capital Association (CVCA). However, that news belied pessimism on the state of ag tech at the recent Agri Tech Venture Forum in Toronto. The forum heard that the availability of capital for agriculture technology entrepreneurs has dried up significantly compared to the heady days of investment growth during the pandemic years.
VIDEO: Ag-tech venture forum kicks off in Toronto
John Greig, Glacier FarmMedia’s senior technology editor, talks about what he expects to learn at the AGRI Tech Venture Forum in Toronto, May 1 and 2, 2024.
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