The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness announced it is releasing $5.4 million from a $40-million six-year fund announced earlier for agriculture research.
This tranche will fund 28 projects via the Ontario Agr-Food Innovation Alliance.
Among the projects are:
-using economic data to help farmers and businesses respond to market changes and explore new trade opportunities
- developing a battery-powered, AI-driven robot to manage pests in soybean fields
- creating healthier beehives using advanced technology to protect honeybee colonies from Varroa mites
-helping farmers lower costs by developing nutrition and production management strategies for pigs
- alternatives to glyphosate for weed control
- using drones for early detection of pests such as western bean cutworms and spider mites and for ‘spraying” parasites that attack those pests
- finding a systems approach for countering Colorado potato beetles
- finding a way to raise queen bees to lessen reliance on imports.