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Governments of Canada and Manitoba Support Crop Health Projects Through Research and Innovation Funding

The governments of Canada and Manitoba are providing $4.7 million in grant funding under the Sustainable Canadian Agriculture Partnership (Sustainable CAP) to support 36 projects, including several that benefit the future of crop health in Manitoba, under the Research and Innovation Program over the next three years, federal Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Lawrence MacAulay and Manitoba Agriculture Minister Ron Kostyshyn announced today at Crop Connect.

“When we invest in innovation, we’re investing in a stronger, more sustainable future for Canadian agriculture,” said MacAulay. “With support from the Sustainable CAP, farmers in Manitoba will be able to tap into digital tech – cutting costs, improving efficiency and helping them stay on the cutting edge.”

The Research and Innovation Program supports the development of science-based solutions and tools that address known challenges, prepare for potential disruptions and climate threats, and capture emerging opportunities in the agriculture and agri-food sector. The program provides funding to eligible applicants for research and capacity-building projects aimed at promoting the agriculture sector's growth and sustainability, helping to put Manitoba at the forefront of sustainable agriculture research.

“Research and innovation are key drivers for Manitoba’s economic growth and enhancing profitability for our farmers,” said Kostyshyn. “Our government is committed to fostering growth and sustainability through innovation. This includes developing new technologies and practices, creating new products and advancing knowledge to ensure Manitoba remains resilient, competitive and efficient.”

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Designing a Robotic Berry Picker

Video: Designing a Robotic Berry Picker


Since blackberries must be harvested by hand, the process is time-consuming and labor-intensive. To support a growing blackberry industry in Arkansas, food science associate professor Renee Threlfall is collaborating with mechanical engineering assistant professor Anthony Gunderman to develop a mechanical harvesting system. Most recently, the team designed a device to measure the force needed to pick a blackberry without damaging it. The data from this device will help inform the next stage of development and move the team closer to the goal of a fully autonomous robotic berry picker. The device was developed by Gunderman, with Yue Chen, a former U of A professor now at Georgia Tech, and Jeremy Collins, then a U of A undergraduate engineering student. To determine the force needed to pick blackberries without damage, the engineers worked with Threlfall and Andrea Myers, then a graduate student.