Canada and Ontario are investing nearly $22 million to help farmers and food processors grow exports, create jobs and strengthen the agri-food sector.
Canada is investing in new digital tools to help lettuce growers improve crop management, reduce waste, lower labor costs, and increase farm productivity.
“Nothing is in the field more than the pivot, and yet most of them tell you very little, if anything at all, about the crop,” says Daniel Jenkins, vice president of sales for Autonomous Pivot. Autonomous Pivot’s technology uses cameras and ground penetrating radar to collect soil-moisture data, crop imagery, rainfall, pressure, GPS location, and irrigation activity to help growers make better irrigation and crop-management decisions. The company sees centre pivots, traditionally used exclusively for irrigation and fertigation, as underutilized pieces of equipment that are in the field more than any producer or agrologist. It aims to convert the centre pivot into its own reporting scout in the field. Autonomous Pivot installed its technology at EMILI’s Innovation Farms MacGregor site during the 2026 season. EMILI is validating the technology’s insights about field conditions, irrigation optimization, and pest and disease alerts. “Development is a tenuous process because you’re ask
Ray Bouchard has worked in the agriculture industry for 46 years in a career that has spanned sales roles in agriculture manufacturing and distributing, and leadership roles including more than a decade as CEO of Enns Brothers. For more than ten years, Ray has contributed his entrepreneurial spirit and strategic expertise as EMILI’s board chair. Here, Ray shares what makes him passionate about agriculture, and his vision for EMILI’s future success. Describe your role as EMILI’s board chair. In the early days of EMILI, I was more involved on the operational side of the organization but now that we’re 10 years in as an organization, I am focused on EMILI’s long-term strategy. Where did you grow up? Was it an agriculture or urban environment? I grew up just west of Winnipeg in Elie, Manitoba. You could call it a bedroom community of the city, but also it was an agricultural community. What was your first job in the agriculture or agri-food sector? I had a chance when I was in my teens to
Farmers know farming best which is why the AIVA Network works with Canadian farmers to test and validate agtech and bring proven solutions to market. From validation hubs that operate on fully operational commercial farms, to farmer alliance members who provide structured feedback on market-ready technologies, this AIVA Network panel at Agriculture Enlightened will share perspectives on how testing and validating technology in real world conditions has real world impact. Carl Havixbeck is a farmer network success manager with AIVA Network. He has worked in the agricultural sector in Manitoba for over 30 years. His passion for agriculture started as a young boy on a family farm in Rosser, MB. After completing a certificate in diesel mechanics at Red River College, and then an agribusiness degree from the University of Manitoba, Carl began his farming career. Stepping away from the farm after 10 years, Carl began serving farmers directly within many different businesses and roles in the
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