Events by invitation-only became the norm in 2020 as the pandemic curbed in-person contact. The impacts of COVID-19 on research, new product launches and extension efforts will be felt for years to come. 

Dejected workers gather to tear down the brittle leaves of a cucumber crop that perished after Nature Fresh Farms was shut down by public health authorities on June 30, 2020. In a recent short documentary, the story is told how 199 asymptomatic workers tested positive for COVID-19 but no one was ever hospitalized. The devastating effects of losing 7.8 million pounds of produce aren’t just economic but emotional as guest workers have testified. 

Meetups are increasingly scarce. That’s why technology transfer is challenged in the age of COVID-19. Ontario vegetable crop specialist, Travis Cranmer and his colleagues are using new platforms to reach garlic growers Ian and Nathan Teetzel near Exeter, Ontario.

After 45 years of farming, it’s safe to say 2020 has been a year like no other for Ernie Wiens. Due to scant rainfall and high temperatures, grape tonnage volumes are expected to be down by 20 per cent. He’s poised to take a brix test of Chardonnay grapes, one of many varieties grown at the family’s 400 acres of vineyards near Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario.

The repetitive task of crop scouting in greenhouses is being replaced by an automated system with artificial intelligence which can detect pests and disease in real time. This bleeding-edge technology is not for everyone. But it’s a new consideration for Jake Neufeld who manages a labour-intensive crop of high-wire cucumbers near Leamington, Ontario. 

Events by invitation-only became the norm in 2020 as the pandemic curbed in-person contact. The impacts of COVID-19 on research, new product launches and extension efforts will be felt for years to come. 

Dejected workers gather to tear down the brittle leaves of a cucumber crop that perished after Nature Fresh Farms was shut down by public health authorities on June 30, 2020. In a recent short documentary, the story is told how 199 asymptomatic workers tested positive for COVID-19 but no one was ever hospitalized. The devastating effects of losing 7.8 million pounds of produce aren’t just economic but emotional as guest workers have testified. 

Meetups are increasingly scarce. That’s why technology transfer is challenged in the age of COVID-19. Ontario vegetable crop specialist, Travis Cranmer and his colleagues are using new platforms to reach garlic growers Ian and Nathan Teetzel near Exeter, Ontario.

After 45 years of farming, it’s safe to say 2020 has been a year like no other for Ernie Wiens. Due to scant rainfall and high temperatures, grape tonnage volumes are expected to be down by 20 per cent. He’s poised to take a brix test of Chardonnay grapes, one of many varieties grown at the family’s 400 acres of vineyards near Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario.

The repetitive task of crop scouting in greenhouses is being replaced by an automated system with artificial intelligence which can detect pests and disease in real time. This bleeding-edge technology is not for everyone. But it’s a new consideration for Jake Neufeld who manages a labour-intensive crop of high-wire cucumbers near Leamington, Ontario. 

Another tool is available for managing spotted-wing drosophila in blueberries. ADAMA Agricultural Solutions has announced that the crop protection product can be used on both highbush and lowbush blueberries.

Syngenta Canada has announced key additions to the Miravis fungicide lineup.  This is news pertinent to diverse horticultural crops such as potatoes, strawberries and highbush blueberries.

The broad-spectrum insecticide has been re-evaluated and approved by the Pest Management Regulatory Agency for continued use in Canada.  The product is used in tree fruit, berries, carrots, celery and potatoes. 

Ontario growers are encouraged to register for an OMAFRA pesticide resistance management series. From Jan 25-28, 2021, learn more about how resistance occurs, Ontario-specific issues and management when using herbicides, insecticides and fungicides in field fruit, veg and specialty crops.

One crop protection company is highlighting its rewards program on a portfolio of products that include fungicides, herbicides, seed treatments, insecticides, biostimulants and plant growth regulators. 

Another tool is available for managing spotted-wing drosophila in blueberries. ADAMA Agricultural Solutions has announced that the crop protection product can be used on both highbush and lowbush blueberries.

Syngenta Canada has announced key additions to the Miravis fungicide lineup.  This is news pertinent to diverse horticultural crops such as potatoes, strawberries and highbush blueberries.

The broad-spectrum insecticide has been re-evaluated and approved by the Pest Management Regulatory Agency for continued use in Canada.  The product is used in tree fruit, berries, carrots, celery and potatoes. 

Ontario growers are encouraged to register for an OMAFRA pesticide resistance management series. From Jan 25-28, 2021, learn more about how resistance occurs, Ontario-specific issues and management when using herbicides, insecticides and fungicides in field fruit, veg and specialty crops.

One crop protection company is highlighting its rewards program on a portfolio of products that include fungicides, herbicides, seed treatments, insecticides, biostimulants and plant growth regulators. 

Smart algorithms can optimize and steer climate, irrigation and energy in daily operations of greenhouses. A January 28 webinar delves into how artificial intelligence can reduce dependency on human expertise in controlled environments. 

For over 70 years, the Environmental Department of Hoskin Scientific provides expert consultative support to find the right product to fit your application needs.

Telus Corporation, a Canadian telecom company, has announced its acquisitions of several data management and analytics companies to come under the umbrella of Telus Agriculture.   

Ecoation is partnering with Kinova, a Canadian-based global leader in professional robotics. It’s a step forward in identifying pests and diseases in greenhouses.

Two scientists – one in Germany, one in the United States – are winning global accolades for their development of a method of genome editing. They are Emmanuelle Charpentier and Jennifer A. Doudna.