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

Depopulation could destabilize food systems

It’s difficult to argue that climate change isn’t the most pressing threat to our agri-food sector. Farmers, processors, distributors, retailers and transporters have all been forced to adapt in real time to extreme weather events, shifting growing seasons and volatile conditions. From droughts to floods to wildfires, climate change has tested the resilience of every link in the food supply chain. Yet, for all the challenges the sector has faced – and will continue to face – due to climate pressures, it has managed to cope reasonably well. Investments in technology, new crop varieties, smarter logistics and infrastructure upgrades have helped absorb many of the shocks. But there is another looming threat – quieter, slower, and far more difficult to reverse – that few in the industry appear prepared for: depopulation. At its core, the food industry is built on one assumption: that there will always be more mouths to feed. Growth in population has long been a proxy for market growth.

Labour shortages create dragnet for agri-food

Canadian agriculture and agri-food consistently punch above their weight. Agriculture and agri-food contribute $111 billion per year – more than $30 million per day – to the Canadian economy, or over six per cent of our GDP. However, there are still more than 16,000 job vacancies on Canadian farms, and this labour crisis is resulting in avoidable financial strain. With that considered, you would think that smoothing out the regulatory red tape – especially on access to labour for farmers – should be highest priority for federal and provincial governments when the shortage is both critical and chronic, proven with many years of data and evidence. When COVID-19 challenged supply chains, action was taken to secure our food supply, but this level of urgency and priority for the sector appears to have come to an end. Producers and workers need new solutions Agriculture is theoretically prioritized in the immigration regulations, but it continues to be squeezed by on all sides. Agriculture

Syngenta brings new fungicide to Canadian potato growers

The Orondis Advanced premix combines a Group 29 and Group 49

Mastering Controlled Burns -- Essential Safety Tips for Farmers

Controlled burns can improve soil health and manage vegetation, but they require careful planning and strict safety measures.

Carney heading to China to talk ag and other issues

Prime Minister Carney is expected to discuss ag when he visits China next week

© 2026   Created by Darren Marsland.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service