Ontario Agriculture

The network for agriculture in Ontario, Canada

Are Robot Farmers Going To Take Over? See The Latest Robotic Technology "Prospero and Aquarius" At The CFVTX Event July 12-13, 2012

 



 

Farmers ready to rally and support the annual, horticulture trade show.

Simcoe, ON

(June 17, 2012) – Norfolk County, the predominant fruit and vegetable community, is home to the annual fruit & veg trade show – Canada’s Fruit & Veg Tech X-Change. Farmers from near and far, are eager to rally and support both the show, and the horticulture industry. Not only will they attend, but bring the entire farm family unit, as there is something for everyone engaged in the hort sector.

In addition to the free brunch for farmers on opening day, the 250 exhibitor trade show boasts specialized equipment, a two-day speaker program, the global launch of the ‘robot farmers’, equipment innovation contest, live demos, and a Farm Family XPO. David Chilton, Canadian author of The Wealthy Barber, will speak at 12pm on the Saturday of the show; discussing smart financial planning as it relates to agriculture.

Norfolk County is not the only vibrant horticulture ‘hot bed’. Essex County is home to a massive greenhouse vegetable sector, a world-class leader in food production. The Tech X-Change has been targeting this area and offering complimentary chartered bus rides to and from the show, courtesy of Vanden Bussche Irrigation.

"With Essex County and the greenhouse growers concerned more than ever with environmental impact and water recirculation, these growers are motivated to attend the X-Change with their families, to see such things as irrigation field days and the new greenhouse farmer robot launch" states Jillian McCallum, from Essex County Growers Association. "Our greenhouse operations have significant impact in the horticulture sector; they are serious about technology and educating the next generation, they know they will see it all in one place at the X-Change this July".

R&D Dorout, out of Iowa, are the inventors of the intriguing robot farmers. One designed for row crop "Prospero" and one designed for greenhouse "Aquarius". Aquarius is crafted to aid greenhouse operators with dispensing water, fertilizing and plant harvest. Astonishingly enough, this robot will be ready for pre-order at the X-Change.

Norfolk County asparagus grower, Chris Koteles, says "Canada’s Fruit and Veg Tech X-Change recognizes the need for growers to see specialized hort equipment in operation, and all in one spot for performance comparisons. There are a lot of great farm shows out there, but the reality is, most have very little to offer today’s progressive fruit and veg producer," says Koteles. "The Tech X-Change is a real plus for the Ontario’s hort industry."

If you are an OFA member make sure you check out the new OFA Proud to Farm Building onsite, that will play host to OFA, NFA and various member benefit partners.

This year’s dates are July 12th – 14th 2012, taking place at the hort shows permanent site, 1195 Front Rd in St Williams, ON.

For more information on Fruit & Veg Tech X-Change, please visit www.FruitVeg.ca or call the shows communication manager, Donna Powell at 226-381-0282 Ext. 2. X-Change hours are 10am-6pm Thursday and Friday and 10am – 4pm on Saturday

Views: 236

Comment

You need to be a member of Ontario Agriculture to add comments!

Join Ontario Agriculture

Agriculture Headlines from Farms.com Canada East News - click on title for full story

Welcoming input on watershed plan

Members of the public are invited to an open house to learn about the development of a Xwulqw’selu (Koksilah) Watershed and Water Sustainability Plan, and provide input to help guide long-term approaches to water supply and ecosystem health in the area. The open house will take place on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, from 3-6 p.m. at The Hub at Cowichan Station, 2375 Koksilah Road in the Cowichan Valley. The B.C. government and Cowichan Tribes are leading the development of the plan, building on several years of engagement with community members, farmers and industry through local advisory tables, such as the Cowichan Tribes Guidance Group and the Community Collaborative Advisory Table. This project has been supported by the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship, and the Ministry of Agriculture and Food to gather and analyze information and develop options related to water allocation, watershed restoration priorities and land-use recommendations. Engaging with the community

Protect AAFC Research, Not Bureaucracy: Why Farmers Need Smart Fiscal Discipline

As Ottawa looks for savings, industry leaders argue cuts should target administrative overhead — not the public agricultural research that delivers higher yields, stronger varieties and real returns for Canadian farmers. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s (AAFC) plan to close research stations across multiple provinces targets the very infrastructure that underpins Canada’s agricultural competitiveness while leaving the department’s growing administrative overhead largely untouched. No one disputes the need for fiscal discipline. But cutting front-line science that consistently delivers some of the highest returns of any public investment is not fiscal responsibility; it’s short-term thinking. AAFC’s regional research network is Canada’s only coordinated system capable of evaluating new crop genetics and management practices across diverse agro-ecological zones. These sites generate the multi-location, multi-year data that determine whether a new variety actually performs under heat

EMILI wins Ecosystem Builder Award at the 2026 DARE Innovation Awards

EMILI was honoured to be awarded the Ecosystem Builder Award at the inaugural DARE Innovation Awards in Winnipeg, Manitoba, on February 24, 2026. The DARE Innovation Awards, hosted by North Forge, celebrated Manitoba’s entrepreneurial excellence and innovation, recognizing bold vision, transformative leadership and lasting impact. The Ecosystem Builder Award, which EMILI was shortlisted for alongside Adam Kelly of Social Entrepreneurship Enclave and Paul Card of Manitoba Innovates, honours a leader, mentor or organization dedicated to growing and supporting Manitoba’s innovation ecosystem. “It is a privilege to be recognized alongside such a talented group of Manitoba innovators, and we are honoured to be shortlisted as ecosystem builders alongside Paul Card and Adam Kelly, two individuals we have so much respect and appreciation for,” said Jennifer Cox, communications manager with EMILI during the award acceptance speech. A key place EMILI supports Manitoba’s innovation ecosystem i

Ag included in Carney’s trip to Japan

Canada is committed to being a reliable trade partner with Japan

RB Global purchases BigIron Auction Company

The transaction helps RB Global’s expansion into the U.S.

© 2026   Created by Darren Marsland.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service