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.
Ag tech venture capital stays on sidelines
Entrepreneurs need patience, more plan to achieve profitability to unlock investment
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.
New Vaderstad drill shows integration with Seed Hawk
The drill is expected to best suit farmers in Eastern Canada as well as Europe and Australia
Vaderstad purchased Canadian seed drill maker Seed Hawk for a reason, and the new Vaderstad Seed Hawk 600-900 C is like a child of the traditions of both companies. There’s Vaderstad’s trademark red colour, and its attention to detail in building of planters and drills, including its E-Control data management system. But the 600-900 C […] Read more
Quick bacteria test in water troughs could improve livestock treatment decisions
Glacier FarmMedia — Researchers are seeking ways to manage antimicrobial-resistant bacteria on farms, including quicker evaluation of bacteria so treatment can be better targeted. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and University of Saskatchewan veterinary school researchers are studying feedlot water troughs, hoping the water can tell them what sort of anti-microbial resistant bacteria are present. Antimicrobial […] Read more
Concept blurs line between planter, seed drill
Horsch has created a concept to bring the advantages of a planter to smaller-seeded crops
Is it a planter or a drill? If a concept machine created by Horsch eventually comes to the market, someone might have to invent a new category. “We’re trying to mix and trying to get the best of both worlds, which is a seed drill and a corn planter,” says Laurent Letzler, who manages Horsch […] Read more
Pre-spraying boosts effectiveness of electric weed-killing machine
Crop.zone has partnered with John Deere on a new, wider machine for in-crop weed control
Glacier FarmMedia — German company tested its electric desiccation system on Canadian farms this growing season, as it works to bring weed control through electricity to large-scale operations. Crop.zone is unique in that it combines an application of liquid to the plant at the front of the tractor, and an electric shock at the back, […] Read more
The future of high horsepower engines: combustion, with a boost
While diesel isn't going anywhere soon, companies hope to make engines more efficient without losing power
While diesel isn’t going anywhere soon, companies hope to make engines more efficient without losing power
Options for powering agriculture equipment are diversifying quickly, with companies narrowing into the lanes they likely will follow into the near future. Many electric under-100-horsepower options appeared at Agritechnica, the world’s largest agriculture machinery show in Hannover, Germany in November — but there was also the certainty that the combustion engine won’t be going away […] Read more
VIDEO: John Deere tractors take autonomy to the field
Future of autonomy is now, says Deere
John Deere showcased an 8RX tractor with its autonomy kit at Agritechnica in Hannover, Germany in November. Glacier FarmMedia Senior Technology Editor John Greig talked to Christopher Bone, product manager for larger tractors and autonomy with John Deere about the state of adoption and development of John Deere tractors and autonomy.
At Ag in Motion: New tester monitors bull fertility
Glacier FarmMedia – Slow-swimming bull sperm will have no place to hide. A Scottish company, Dyneval, has created a new semen analyzer that measures a wider range of concentrations of semen than previous testing methods. This will allow veterinarians, beef and dairy producers to have more control over semen quality. The Dynescanl analyzer is also […] Read more
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