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Panelists to discuss the future of robotics in agriculture at the Precision Ag Conference

Panelists to discuss the future of robotics in agriculture at the Precision Ag Conference

Members of the Vineland Research & Innovation Centre will be on hand to lead the conversations

By Diego Flammini
News Reporter
Farms.com

The intersections of automation, robotics and agriculture will be explored in detail at the Farms.com Precision Agriculture Conference.

Autonomous tractors have become a popular discussion topic recently and robots could be an integral part of the agricultural landscape, according to Jim Brandle, CEO of the Vineland Research & Innovation Centre.

“Robots are coming,” Brandle told Farms.com today. “There are different parts of agriculture with different needs when you compare grain farming to animal agriculture to horticulture.”

In horticulture, a significant percentage of production cost is dedicated to labour, Brandle says. And when the increased minimum wage is factored into the equation, robotic developments in the horticulture industry could be a significant benefit.

But one of the challenges for the sector is attracting local manufacturers to the agricultural industry, Brandle said.


Jim Brandle

Ontario is home to almost 50 per cent of Canada’s total automation companies, according to Industry Canada. But 73 per cent of Canadian businesses import their automation equipment, according to the Information and Communications Technology Council.

The ag industry needs local manufacturers to produce robots in order for automation to be a viable option for producers, Brandle says.

“Right now, we’re innovation takers and we buy equipment from outside the country,” he said. “We spend a lot of time adapting equipment to work in short days and cold weather. If we want to take that next step and remain competitive, we need to build an automation base for agriculture (locally).”

Another challenge with regard to the use of robotics, Brandle says, is programming the equipment to handle the fruits and vegetables with care.

“They are biological items – they’re very different than an auto part,” he said.

Brandle is one of many great speakers scheduled to appear at the Farms.com Precision Agriculture Conference.

The event takes place Jan. 30 and 31 at the Best Western Lamplighter Inn in London, Ont.


Trending Video

The FCDC and AgSmart Bring Plant Breeding to a Wider Audience

Video: The FCDC and AgSmart Bring Plant Breeding to a Wider Audience

In the vast prairies of Alberta, Olds College’s Field Crop Development Centre (FCDC) stands as a beacon of innovation and research in the agricultural world. The institution has become a key player in advancing agricultural technologies and practices. The FCDC’s commitment to applied research has driven them to seek effective means of disseminating their findings and creating a positive impact on the farming community.

One such avenue that aligns with their mission is AgSmart, an event dedicated to showcasing cutting-edge agricultural technologies. The coming together of the FCDC’s annual Field Day and Ag Smart has proved to be a natural fit, fostering a synergy that benefits both parties and propels the agriculture industry forward. The FCDC Field Day took part in conjunction with AgSmart for the first time this week on Aug. 1-2 in Olds, Alta. FCDC Program Director Kofi Agblor and Olds College VP of Development Todd Ormann sat down for an interview with Marc Zienkiewicz to discuss the significance of the two events taking part together and what the future holds.

The Intersection of Research and Technology The essence of the FCDC lies in its dedication to plant breeding and new seed varieties, particularly barley and triticale. While conducting research is essential, it becomes meaningful when its benefits are shared with the wider community. This is where AgSmart steps in, providing a key venue for the FCDC to showcase their research. This union between research and technology creates a holistic and enriching experience for farmers, ranchers, and industry professionals, the pair said.

Seeds as Technology For the FCDC, the partnership with AgSmart goes beyond mere event collaboration. It is about creating an environment that bridges the gap between seeds and smart technology, Ormann said. The college believes that for technology to truly revolutionize agriculture, it must begin with a strong foundation — high-quality seeds. As the saying goes, “it all starts with a seed.” To demonstrate this critical aspect, the collaboration aims to showcase the seed value chain as an integral part of the smartphone.

The Birth of a Powerful Alliance The idea of joining forces emerged when staff realized the potential synergy between AgSmart and the FCDC Field Day. With just a few days separating the two events, a proposal was put forward to merge them. The marketing and communications teams from both sides worked seamlessly to ensure the essence of both events remained intact, creating a powerful alliance that leverages the strengths of each, Agblor said.

Driving Advancements in Breeding For Agblor, the partnership with AgSmart has tremendous potential to drive advancements in breeding and other technology. With technologies like drones and imaging becoming integral to phenotyping, breeding is no longer confined to vast fields to assess thousands of plants manually. Instead, it benefits from the data-rich insights brought about by smart technologies. These advancements make breeding more efficient, precise, and instrumental in shaping the future of agriculture.

Overcoming Challenges Together While the partnership between Olds College and Ag Smart has been a resounding success, there are challenges on the horizon. Securing stable funding for long-term breeding initiatives is crucial to sustain progress. The college is committed to navigating these challenges and investing in agriculture’s future sustainably, Agblor said.

 

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