Photo report: New techniques shown in Italian Greenhouse Park

Want to learn more about horticulture? Want to compare different techniques? Want to decide what greenhouse suits you best? Taking a trip to Italy might be the answer. The Italian company Idromeccanica Lucchini created a Greenhouse Park where it is possible to see and touch all the latest solutions in…

IPM Essen 2020: eins, zwei ...

Day one is over and day two is underway at the IPM in Essen. Plenty of (floriculture) companies will be walking around with an extra big smile at the fair today after having been showered with awards, both on the Tuesday around noon and in the evening, when Anthura was proclaimed 'International Grower of the Year' during the…

Combining automatic sorting of tomato plants with a strict hygiene policy

Recently, Vreugdenhil Young Plants had two completely new TTA sorting lines (MaxSorter) installed. The MaxSorter sorts tomato plant seedlings into four grades and waste, while automatically disinfecting the plant grippers. By investing in this machine, Vreugdenhil Young Plants takes hygiene of the…

"Enrich your data-set, realize yield prediction"

Since the start of Data Driven Growing, it has been made easier for growers by enriching their data to realize a yield prediction. Hoogendoorn Growth Management trains growers internationally on how to use their data based on the principles of Growing by Plant Empowerment. The yield prediction provides a…

Lighting considerations when building your greenhouse

Wouldn’t it be great to use as much free sunlight as possible?  In this recent post from LumiGrow, the smart horticultural lighting company, we’ll look at the top 4 lighting considerations that can have a huge effect when building or retrofitting your greenhouse: Site Selection Glazing Form Function Supplemental Lighting…

Recipe for success to the finish line with Jack Miller RZ

The new orange pepper variety called Jack Miller RZ was produced very successfully at one company (6 hectares) in 2019, and in 2020 it is being grown on over 50 hectares throughout the Netherlands and Belgium. Jack Miller has also made a good impression in Canada, where it is being produced on a larger…

RHP certification for Soltera and Eifel-Holz

The company Soltera is RHP Horticulture certified with the product perlite and the company Eifel-Holz is RHP Horticulture certified with the product wood fibre. The granting of these RHP certificates happened at the IPM in Essen (Germany). Based on research and checks executed by ECAS and Kiwa, the companies…

Russia: 40 ha greenhouse with Turkish investments built near Novomichurinsk

Turkish investors are constructing in major greenhouse complex in Pronsy region in Russia. Upon the results of a meeting of the investors (representatives of companies Anex-tour, A-Agro, A-Agro Ryazan and others) with the regional government on January 17, it has been announced that a dozen of vegetable…

How vertical farming is part of a "multi-agriculturalism" food system

The climate crisis is happening (as for some time already), and agriculture is a key protagonist. As elegantly explained by Nazim Gruda, professor at the Department of Horticultural Science of Bonn University: “Agriculture/horticulture and climate change have a dual interaction. On the one hand, the environment is…

Partnership brings container farms to students across the U.S.

Freight Farms and Sodexo have partnered to bring hydroponic vertical farming technology to schools and universities across the U.S. The collaboration will usher in the implementation of Freight Farms’ Greenery container farms to campuses across the U.S., enabling the onsite growth of fresh, traceable…

Russia: 40 ha greenhouse with Turkish investments built near Novomichurinsk

Turkish investors are constructing in major greenhouse complex in Pronsy region in Russia. Upon the results of a meeting of the investors (representatives of companies Anex-tour, A-Agro, A-Agro Ryazan and others) with the regional government on January 17, it has been announced that a dozen of vegetable…

US (VA): New greenhouse offers new opportunities to explore agriculture at Sweet Briar College

A local college is taking things to the next level to educate students about agriculture. Since 2018, Sweet Briar College has built a 20-hive apiary, two vineyards, a 20-acre wildflower meadow for pollinator habitat and now, the 27,000-foot greenhouse. Sweet Briar will use the greenhouse in a number of…

Georgian NGO plans local strawberry greenhouse

Within the framework of the project ‘Optimizing the Potential of Local Assets for Rural Development of Keda Municipality,’ CENN, a non-governmental organization working to protect the environment by fostering sustainable development, is to set up a modern strawberry greenhouse in the village of Zendidi…

Morocco’s soft fruit to conquer foreign markets

The total area allocated to the cultivation of red fruit in Morocco increased from 3,035 hectares in 2009 to about 9,000 hectares during the past two years. The increase in the cultivated areas led to a leap in fruit production. The sector’s average production is 197,000 tonnes this year. About 140,000…

Recipe for success to the finish line with Jack Miller RZ

The new orange pepper variety called Jack Miller RZ was produced very successfully at one company (6 hectares) in 2019, and in 2020 it is being grown on over 50 hectares throughout the Netherlands and Belgium. Jack Miller has also made a good impression in Canada, where it is being produced on a larger…

"Enrich your data-set, realize yield prediction"

Since the start of Data Driven Growing, it has been made easier for growers by enriching their data to realize a yield prediction. Hoogendoorn Growth Management trains growers internationally on how to use their data based on the principles of Growing by Plant Empowerment. The yield prediction provides a…

Lighting considerations when building your greenhouse

Wouldn’t it be great to use as much free sunlight as possible?  In this recent post from LumiGrow, the smart horticultural lighting company, we’ll look at the top 4 lighting considerations that can have a huge effect when building or retrofitting your greenhouse: Site Selection Glazing Form Function Supplemental Lighting…

Radicle Growth adds Microsoft’s Director of Agriculture as a Venture Partner

Radicle Growth, an acceleration fund, announced that Claudia Roessler, the Director of Agriculture at Microsoft, has joined its team as its newest Venture Partner. “Claudia is…

"We really believe in the power of access to locally and sustainably grown food"

Tracy Nazzaro, president and general manager of Traders Hill Farm, and her team of farmers are harvesting fish and leafy green lettuce. Traders Hill Farm is an aquaponics farm in Hilliard. It's home to 5,000 tilapia and has a 120,000 plant capacity, which is harvested each month. That equals over two…

Malaysian grower supplies Singapore with fresh veggies

Before the first rays of sunshine hit his 20,000 sq m farm each day, Mr Liew Kee Chong is already awake.  By 7am, the 65-year-old is in his farm watering his crops, his black protective boots mottled brown by a fresh layer of mud. After the crops are watered, Mr Liew harvests some vegetables and plucks cherry…

Luxembourg becomes the first EU country to ban glyphosate

Luxembourg will be the first EU country to ban glyphosate starting February. The veto on this pesticide suspected of causing cancer will have three stages and will be…

2020 UK Pesticide Guide available

The 2020 BCPC UK Pesticide Guide, with the latest information for those involved in pesticide use and application, is now available to buy in print form. The ‘Green Book’, and its online equivalent at ukpesticideguide.co.uk, is a reference for a wide range of audiences involved in pesticide use and recommendation. It covers all pesticide products…

Population of US states - in millions

Quite amazing how empty most of the US is.

Dutch government and Rabobank announce anchor investments in AGRI3 Fund

The USD 1 billion sustainable agriculture and forestry initiative “AGRI3” has been strengthened by two new cornerstone investors. On January 23, the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that it will become an anchor public investor in the AGRI3 Fund by contributing USD 40 million. At the World Economic…

Russia imported 2 million tons of vegetables in 2019

In the period of January-November 2019, 2 million tons of vegetables worth $ 1.5 billion were imported into Russia. In terms of volume, imports dropped by 14% compared to the…

Kenya suffers worst locust infestation in 70 years

The worst outbreak of desert locusts in Kenya in 70 years has seen hundreds of millions of the insects swarm into the east African nation from Somalia and Ethiopia. Those two countries have not had an infestation like this in a quarter century, destroying farmland and threatening an already vulnerable…

Iranian Deputy Agriculture Minister describes contract farming as “win-win game”

Contract farming as a motivating system can bring about a win-win game for all the stakeholders of the agriculture as well as industry, Iranian Deputy Minister of Agriculture-Jihad Hossein Shirzad said. Referring to the outstanding achievements of using contract farming in Europe, Latin America, North…

Asian retailers send love to Aussie growers amid bush fire crisis

Retail partners across Asia have teamed up to show support for Australian growers battling against drought and bushfire. Embracing the Hort Innovation international signature brand, Taste Australia, supporters from Malaysia and Thailand have gone the extra mile during recent season launches to support…

Andalusia estimates damages caused by storm Gloria in Almeria at 1,700 hectares

On Monday, January 27, a meeting was held in Almería between the Councilor of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Sustainable Development, Carmen Crespo, and the province's…

European Parliament ready to approve Brexit deal

The European Parliament is set to approve the terms of the UK's departure from the European Union in an historic vote on Wednesday. The 751 representatives will debate the…

"Whistling to work every day" transporting vegetable plants

Just back from Berlin, Eric tells with a smile on his face about working as a truck driver at Beekenkamp: “I have been working at Beekenkamp for 15 years now, which seems like a very long time, but you should compare it with my other driver colleagues! There are only 2 truck drivers who work here a…

Greenhouse horticulture can not (yet) do without co-generation

The general tendency is that everyone must abandon gas, also the horticulture sector. More sustainable, and preferably without the production of CO2 and nitrogen-oxides.…

RHP certification for Soltera and Eifel-Holz

The company Soltera is RHP Horticulture certified with the product perlite and the company Eifel-Holz is RHP Horticulture certified with the product wood fibre. The granting of these RHP certificates happened at the IPM in Essen (Germany). Based on research and checks executed by ECAS and Kiwa, the companies…

UF/IFAS expert urges colleagues to breed tastier tomatoes in different environments

A University of Florida tomato expert is calling on researchers worldwide to use genetics to help farmers grow tastier tomatoes in many geographic locations. Consumers crave tasty tomatoes, but the trick comes in growing flavorful fruit in different environments, said University of Florida Professor…

German minister endorses gene-editing technology

Federal Minister of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection Julia Klöckner revealed her hopes for farmers to access genome-editing as a means of innovation in agriculture…

Combining automatic sorting of tomato plants with a strict hygiene policy

Recently, Vreugdenhil Young Plants had two completely new TTA sorting lines (MaxSorter) installed. The MaxSorter sorts tomato plant seedlings into four grades and waste, while automatically disinfecting the plant grippers. By investing in this machine, Vreugdenhil Young Plants takes hygiene of the…

Vegetable Energy from Austria

An energy drink brand from Austria is presenting the world's first vegetable-based energy drink with the full power of green cucumbers and mint. The cucumber energy drink from PURE BIO ENERGY draws its power from super caffeine, coming from organically grown coffee beans. "Nothing picks you up quicker and longer than concentrated…

Optimising the process of closing the material loop

Modiform is adding two new building blocks to its Closed Loop Commitment: multiple-use trays and 100% recycled and recyclable pots. By incorporating multiple-use barrels, we lower the amount of plastic required and reduce CO2 emissions. The 100% recycled and recyclable pots are made from 100% recycled…

'Buy Canadian' campaign focuses on food and agriculture

A "Buy Canadian" advertising campaign focusing on local food and the national agricultural system will be rolling out in the coming months, the federal government said Tuesday. Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau issued a statement confirming the general aim of the campaign that's expected to roll…

"Sustainable netting solution for growblocks and pellets"

Jiffy aims for lowering the use of plastics for their growing media. Just recently Jiffy decided to switch from PE and PP plastics to PLA netting for all Jiffy Grow Blocks and Jiffy Pellets. Lettuce; strong rooting on Jiffy Growblock PLA Netting The PLA net is a light weight fine-fibre web, comprised of polylactic…

Getting off the plastic treadmill

Over the 16 years I have worked in horticulture there has been an ongoing discussion around plastics use, which has hugely intensified as public opinion has caught up with the science. Perhaps one of the starkest warnings of how bad the situation is, came with the announcement that 83% of drinking water…

Vacuum cooling is widely used for fresh produce

Vacuum cooling is widely used in the fresh produce industry of the United States, Europe and China. As a result of the energy consumption from water evaporation at low pressure, the temperature of fresh produce can be reduced efficiently from the field temperature of 28° C to 2° C. Arvin Lau from Vegfor…

MightyVine

Our favorite day of the week, #TomatoTuesday! 🍅 pic.twitter.com/dgGcFDvK98 — MightyVine (@MightyVine) January 29, 2020

Efforts underway to prevent future E.coli outbreaks in leafy greens

As public health agencies called an end to the latest E. coli outbreaks linked to romaine lettuce from Salinas, the leafy greens community, government regulators and the entire produce industry…

Coronavirus no direct threat for Fruit Logistica Berlin

The coronavirus is spreading quickly in China, and is now also as reaching other countries. Three cases have been confirmed in Germany since last Monday, which brings the…

Photo report: New techniques shown in Italian Greenhouse Park

Want to learn more about horticulture? Want to compare different techniques? Want to decide what greenhouse suits you best? Taking a trip to Italy might be the answer. The Italian company Idromeccanica Lucchini created a Greenhouse Park where it is possible to see and touch all the latest solutions in…

IPM Essen 2020: eins, zwei ...

Day one is over and day two is underway at the IPM in Essen. Plenty of (floriculture) companies will be walking around with an extra big smile at the fair today after having been showered with awards, both on the Tuesday around noon and in the evening, when Anthura was proclaimed 'International Grower of the Year' during the…

Artsy. Duct-taped banana selling for $120,000 at Art Basel Miami

A banana, duct-taped to a wall, went on a sale at Art Basel Miami Beach this week. The price was $120,000. And, according to art market website Artnet, two of the three editions have already sold, with the last now going for $150,000. The work, by Maurizio Cattelan, was presented Wednesday by Perrotin, a…

How vertical farming is part of a "multi-agriculturalism" food system

The climate crisis is happening (as for some time already), and agriculture is a key protagonist. As elegantly explained by Nazim Gruda, professor at the Department of Horticultural Science of Bonn University: “Agriculture/horticulture and climate change have a dual interaction. On the one hand, the environment is…

Indian fair showcases Balcony farms, hydroponics and more

Innovations in hydroponic plants, robotic cultivation, vertical and rooftop kitchen and home garden plants and solutions were on show at the five-day 8th All India Horticulture, Agriculture and Grand Nursery Mela. The event, organised by Telangana Event Organisers, featured over 120 stalls comprising…

Partnership brings container farms to students across the U.S.

Freight Farms and Sodexo have partnered to bring hydroponic vertical farming technology to schools and universities across the U.S. The collaboration will usher in the implementation of Freight Farms’ Greenery container farms to campuses across the U.S., enabling the onsite growth of fresh, traceable…

Prank time