The International Federation of Agricultural Journalists announced its 2025 writing competition awards at its World Congress in Nairobi, Kenya on October 18. Its Star Prize for Innovation, the organization’s honour for the best reporting on the theme of Innovation went to a Swedish reporter for her story “Progressive Parlor: A New Era of Automation in Dairy Farming.”

Karen Davidson, editor of The Grower, was cited for runner-up honours for the August 2024 cover story: Artificial intelligence eyes auto-labour. She shares runner-up status with fellow Canadian farm writer Trevor Bacque of GrainsWest for his story: Short Lines Long on Value. 

The Grower’s story spotlighted Prince Edward Island researchers working to perfect AgriScout, a robot with artificial intelligence to identify potatoes infected with potato virus Y. The story pivoted to Ontario where Holland Marsh growers are trialling FarmDroid’s ability to seed and weed onions. Altogether, sources included researchers, association representatives, agtech start-up companies and growers operating in both mineral and muck soils.

The International Federation of Agricultural Journalists represents more than 5,000 communicators in 60 countries who support freedom of the press. These communicators focus on sharing new technologies and information relevant to the agricultural industry.

For the complete news release, link here:  https://www.ifaj.org/linda-grimstedt-of-sweden-wins-international-prize-for-innovation-article/47236/

Source:  International Federation of Agricultural Journalists October 19, 2025 news release