Labor
Ag group invests in autonomous tractors startup
Cooperative Ventures, a venture capital fund formed by North American farm cooperatives, announced its first investment. It is investing in Sabanto, a hardware and software company developing autonomous capabilities in tractors. Founded in 2018, Sabanto... more »
Microsoft AI partnership helps reduce greenhouse labor issues
Microsoft is collaborating with Blue Radix, a company specializing in autonomous growing, to use artificial intelligence to help reduce the scarcity of crop expertise in greenhouses. Greenhouses around the world are facing a unique crisis.... more »
Cal Poly strawberry research: Can robots kill pests?
The Cal Poly Strawberry Center’s Sixth Annual Field Day saw its biggest attendance yet, keeping on track with the increased participation every year since the inaugural event. The 2022 event in late July, however, marked... more »
Florida Tomato Institute grapples with pests
Despite some low crop years, Florida tomato growers are returning to normal production. A continuing concern, however, is protecting the crop from pests. At the Florida Tomato Institute on Sept. 7 in LaBelle, Florida, growers... more »
Western Growers seeks info on harvest automation
Western Growers is asking for information from growers and agtech start-ups for the second year of data collection for the Global Harvest Automation Report. The surveys will help the industry confront the ongoing threat from... more »
Mid-Atlantic convention features Growing Farmers leader
A grower entrepreneur will be the keynote speaker for the 2023 Mid-Atlantic Fruit and Vegetable Convention. The show has also released information on its grower-oriented educational sessions. Michael Kilpatrick, who runs the online farmer education... more »
AI center at UF will guide tech-driven agriculture
The University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is building a 19,000-square foot artificial intelligence hub, as technology driven by AI increasingly is used to protect crop yields and the environment. The... more »
NCAE sets Ag Labor Forum agenda
The National Council of Agricultural Employers (NCAE) has set the agenda for its 9th Annual Ag Labor Forum. The forum will be Nov. 30-Dec. 2 at the M Resort near Las Vegas. “This year’s event... more »