Observing how ordinary tasks are carried out in the dairy barn are considered the first steps to improved efficiency
Glacier FarmMedia – Dairy farmers work through similar processes every day, but taking another look at ordinary tasks can yield significant time and financial savings. Process evaluation has many names, including lean, Kaizan or Six Sigma, but the concepts are similar: constantly improve, find bottlenecks and reduce waste, according to Chris Church, a master’s student […] Read more
John Greig
Stories by John Greig
Pain control aids calves at castration
While a recent study found that calf comfort improves with use of pain control, it didn’t help increase their daily gain
A recent study found that young calves show more pain responses when not treated with pain control at castration. However, the study also showed that there was no impact on average daily gain by mitigating the pain at castration. There is no requirement in the Canadian Beef Code of Practice for pain control for castration […] Read more
Water jet cuts through no-till residue
Long-term use of no-till can be a challenge in high-residue crops, leading many to throw some tillage into their fields at a regular interval. A company with roots in Australia, Canada and now the U.S. has a solution, a jet of high-pressure water to carve open the soil so that seed openers and placement technology […] Read more
VIDEO: Dutch greenhouse seed production aided by technology
World Seed Congress tours greenhouses responsible for developing new tomato, leafy green varieties
Glacier FarmMedia – Glacier FarmMedia’s John Greig is at the World Seed Congress in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Watch for his coverage in Glacier FarmMedia’s publications. The Netherlands is known for its greenhouses and its seed production. A tour on the third day of the World Seed Congress concentrated on both of those leadership positions for […] Read more
VIDEO: Gene editing race, illegal seed use in crosshairs at World Seed Congress
European Union pushes for alternative seed coatings in a bid to reduce microplastics
Glacier FarmMedia – Glacier FarmMedia’s John Greig is at the World Seed Congress in Rotterdam, The Netherlands this week. Watch for his daily updates on our websites and more in-depth coverage in our publications. There are now enough of the major crop-producing regions in the world with a pathway to market for gene-edited crops to […] Read more
VIDEO: World Seed Congress addresses global supply chain challenges
Glacier FarmMedia – Glacier FarmMedia’s John Greig is at the World Seed Congress in the Netherlands. Watch for his daily updates here and further coverage in Glacier FarmMedia’s publications and websites. The World Seed Congress is on in Rotterdam, Netherlands with a discussion of the major issues facing the seed and crops sector. Related story from this event: VIDEO: […] Read more
American company takes deep dive into root research
Scientists plan to use gene editing to decrease drought risk, increase carbon sequestration by making plant roots bigger
Glacier FarmMedia – An American company is gene editing roots to make them grow larger so plants can better tolerate drought and sequester more carbon. Cquesta chief executive officer Michael Ott told the Agri Tech Venture Forum that half the human impact on carbon released to the atmosphere can be accounted for if nature can […] Read more
New program focuses on data literacy for cow-calf producers
Case studies and mentoring will help give farm data decision-making power
A project to increase the use of data in cow-calf operation decision-making has brought together organizations and researchers from across the sector. The Data Literacy for Cow-Calf Producers project aims to give farmers and ranchers the chance to discuss best practices and learn from experts and peers about how to use data to make better […] Read more
Plant-based protein sector learns from recent downturn
Industry officials say they have learned lessons from recent marketing challenges and remain positive about the future
Lessons have been learned from the downturn in the plant-based protein marketplace, including what could have been done differently when it came to marketing, product development and consumer expectations. Attendees heard that message during a panel of industry representatives in the plant-based ingredient space at the recent Agri Tech Venture Forum in Toronto. “The problem […] Read more
Ag tech venture capital remains on sidelines
Entrepreneurs require patience and increased planning if they are to unlock investment and achieve profitability
Glacier FarmMedia – Agriculture venture capital investment was an outlier in 2023 as it increased slightly over 2022, according to the Canadian Venture Capital Association. However, that news belied pessimism on the state of ag tech at the recent Agri Tech Venture Forum in Toronto. The forum heard that the availability of capital for agriculture […] Read more
