News
Growers, data scientists team up in landmark AI project
Data scientists at the University of Aberdeen are teaming up with fruit growers to build an artificial intelligence (AI) system to forecast harvests, which could potentially save the industry millions each year. The machine learning system for sof... more
Conservation program in Michigan implemented by MDARD, USDA
Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development announced April 5 a pivotal conservation agreement with the United States Department of Agriculture’s Farm Services Agency (FSA), which reinstates Michigan’s Conservation Reserve Enhancemen... more
Local Bounti closes acquisition of Pete’s
Local Bounti Corp., a U.S. indoor agriculture company combining vertical and greenhouse growing technologies, announced April 5 the successful completion of its acquisition of California-based complementary indoor farming company Hollandia ... more
Pursue shade cloth for lettuce production
In Delaware, spring lettuce is planted in March and April. Head lettuce should be seeded in March and transplanted by mid-April. Leaf lettuce can be direct seeded in March and April. Lettuce is a cool season crop that grows best at temperatures of... more
Rijk Zwaan completes autonomous growing trial
Implementing artificial intelligence (AI) in Rijk Zwaan’s seed production process has shown many advantages in a trial with Blue Radix's Crop Controller. The comparison across two departments created a major opportunity to demonstrate the value of ... more
Nominations sought for Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee
The USDA announced March 30 it intends to renew the charter of the Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee. It is also seeking nominations from specialty crop stakeholders to serve on the FVIAC. The deadline for nominations is May 31, 2022. ... more
Preventing cross contamination: spring chores
Warmer than average March temperatures have started the growing season ahead of “normal.” Springtime brings a seemingly endless series of things to do in the field, plus the picking and packing of early-season high-tunnel crops. With so many t... more