What do papayas, vanilla and black pepper have in common?

Do you recognize the second plant from the left in the below picture? Most of the participants in the webinar on the Greenhouse Pharmacy project, held as part of the WUR Urban Greenhouse Challenge, had no problems seeing this was a vanilla orchid. It got a bit trickier when Professor Wouter Verkerke…

Downloading water tanks from across the world

“Several months ago we received an order from Qatar, for large water tanks,” tells Pieter Versluis with Buwatec. The Dutch water storage system manufacturer normally works with a worldwide dealer network, through which dealers help local customers with the installation of the tanks. “This could not be…

British raspberry breeding programme results in three new varieties

James Hutton Limited is introducing three new raspberry varieties to soft fruit growers in 2020 including two primocanes, Lewis and Skye.  Plants are now available from RW Walpole and Genson BV in the EU, and from Global Plant Genetics and Meiosis in select territories out with the EU. Lewis and Skye are the…

Optimising agroecology with technology

Society has become more critical of the greenhouse horticulture, arable farming and dairy industries and demands change, but the current farming systems can only meet this demand to a limited extent. The way forward will involve a transition to a healthier and more resilient agricultural and…

Videos for seasonal workers harvesting strawberries and rhubarb

The season for harvesting strawberries and rhubarb is beginning – but there is still a shortage of seasonal workers due to the coronavirus crisis. Skilled helpers are in short supply. After its first training videos for harvesting asparagus, GLOBALG.A.P. has now produced videos for harvesting other…

Kremlin

Vladimir Putin wants to increase grower support

The President of the Russian Federation has conducted a video conference on the situation in the agricultural industry as well as in food production. Agriculture in Russia today is a high tech industry with good potential for development, considers Mr. Putin; however, the competitive side of the…

Recirculating hydroponics and robotic technology to save on fertigation and labour

This is what the greenhouses of the future are like: recirculating hydroponics and robotic technology to save on fertigation and labour. They allow double cultivation and increase production by taking full advantage of the surface with high densities, generating greater profitability. This innovation…

"We have always been curious about the possibilities of light"

Valoya, a LED grow light manufacturer announced a licensing program making their patented technology available to LED manufacturers and horticultural LED fixture providers. Valoya’s patent portfolio in the field of horticultural LED lighting is a result of innovation and investments into R&D over the…

Connecting people with jobs in B.C.’s agricultural sector

British Columbians are now able to access a new online resource that will make it easier to learn about jobs and careers in agriculture, while providing farmers, seafood businesses and food processors with a one-stop shop to support their hiring and planning needs. The new B.C. Farm, Fish and Food Job…

Growing Media Europe elects new chairman

Growing Media Europe (GME)'s Chairman Mr. Stefaan Vandaele ceased his position from 25 May 2020, since he left Agaris Belgium in his function as CEO. In order to make the next…

Oboya appoints Peter Wallin as Chief Operating Officer ​​​​​​​

By appointing Peter Wallin as COO, Oboya Horticulture Industries AB intensifies its work towards operational excellence. The position has been open since Martin Dahlberg was…

“Currently our watercress sales are just ahead of where they were last year"

Each year there is more and more evidence to back up the claims of watercress to be a superfood. It has been known for some time that watercress is very good for you, but it takes time to get the scientific evidence together. Tom Amery from The Watercress Company said that in the last 12 months they have…

CAN (SK): Genomics company expands operations to Canada with Saskatoon office

The Government of Saskatchewan is welcoming NRGene to the province. Headquartered in Israel, the company announced they are expanding their operations to Canada and will be…

Who consumes the most fruits and vegetables in Europe?

According to a comparative study that was carried out with the participation of 37,672 people from 21 different countries in Europe and that was published on May 13 in the PLOS ONE  magazine, some of the significant factors that determine fruit and vegetable consumption in Europe are gender, educational level,…

Irish fruit and vegetables

Following a wet February and early March, the spell of favourable weather in late March/April allowed growers to make good progress with planting. The marketing season for most of the outdoor vegetable crops has ended, while the salad crops, such as cucumbers, tomatoes and more recently Spring onions are into their seasons.…

New process allows remote food safety audits for leafy greens farms

Mandatory government food safety audits of leafy greens farms under the California Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement are continuing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Western Growers and the California Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement announced the availability of a new process developed through a…

Dar es Salaam - Nairobi truce saved horticulture from ruin

The governments in Dar es Salaam and Nairobi have agreed that cargos and conveyors should be offloaded at destination unless there's a special agreement with cargo owners. In…

WorkSafeBC announces additional support for employers impacted by COVID-19

WorkSafeBC is waiving premiums for employers who are approved to receive the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) for furloughed workers (employees on leave with full or…

Basket washing machine to save labor cost

In the fresh-cut industry, hundreds of baskets are used to carry raw products or transfer semi-products. But the cleaning process of these baskets is a huge cost, which requires a lot of time and labor. As requested by customers, Lueon Technologies Co., Ltd. have designed an automatic basket washer,…

“Clients should also benefit from low oil prices when buying plastic boxes”

Dutch and Belgian fruit growers are preparing for the approaching apple and pear harvests. In June, they must get everything ready to receive the latest crops. For example, which crates must be replaced? They usually choose wooden crates, but plastic boxes are fast gaining ground. Capp Plast, an Italian…

UK: Withdrawal of patent on coco coir processing method puts end to dispute

With the withdrawal of a patent on a coco coir processing method, an end has come to an ongoing dispute in the coir industry. UK company Botanicoir has chosen to withdraw its…

"Don't make containers and hydroponic production methods prohibited practices"

The Coalition for Sustainable Organics (CSO) says it's heartened by the initial response of the Department of Justice to defend organic growers’ rights to incorporate…

American Hydroponics

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Signs of hope for Corona pandemic

While the news is dominated by negative stories about the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, it's important to remember that there's a light at the end of the tunnel. Here are five signs of hope to show that even during an unprecedented global pandemic, positive things are happening too. The need for…

80acresfarms

“Romaine calm & veg out”

80 Acres Farms, a high-tech indoor farming company now based in Hamilton, says it’s time to “Romaine Calm & Veg Out” — a slogan now on its website — and continues to let people order its salads and produce online and pick them up in Hamilton and Cincinnati.  After people order products, they can show up at either location with their…

Spain approves hiring 80,000 unemployed and immigrants to cover farm shortfall

The Spanish Government approved on April 7 the temporary hiring of tens of thousands of immigrants or jobless people during the peak food-harvesting season.Announcing the measures, Minister Luis Planas said they would be in force until June 30 and were also intended to guarantee exports to other EU…

James Dyson intent on growing berries for UK market year-round

James Dyson's farming company has announced it will construct a six hectare glasshouse to grow strawberries year round for the UK market. Agricultural business Beeswax Dyson…

Threats to New England’s farmland and food production

American Farmland Trust (AFT), the organization behind the national “No Farms No Food” movement released “Farms Under Threat, A New England Perspective” at its February 19th Food, Farms, Fisheries, and Forests: Diet, Climate, Conservation, and a Healthy Future for New England conference, sponsored by The…

Comparison of the technology of aquaponic systems

Aquaponics is the combined culture of fish and plants in recirculating aquaculture systems, an ecologically sustainable horticultural production technique with long traditions. The objective of this study is to compare flood-and-drain and a water crossflow system and examine the differences in the water…

Swiss technology works to increase growth, quality and health of melon crops

Many growers throughout the world have to use low-quality water for irrigating their crops. This might be because it is the only water available to them, or to save on costs. This low-quality water often has high levels of salt and this can be harmful to the crops as well as to the soil. Swiss company…

Queensland vegetable producer set to increase supply after government funding

A Lockyer Valley vegetable farm will be able to increase its supply capability, following a funding boost from the Queensland Government. Vanstone Produce will improve packing…

Biostimulant trial achieves increasing the production yield of zucchini

The Brandt Europe company, a subsidiary of the American company that is an agricultural leader for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, has managed to increase the production yield of zucchini by one to two kilos per square meter using two biostimulant solutions. The trial, which was carried out on a…

"We can go home, but the plants can’t"

The Covid-19 pandemic affects companies across all industries and horticultural operations are no exception. Making sure staff are safe and operations are working properly with less direct supervision is very important. Argus Controls talked to some of their clients and learned how they have been coping…

MTU Series 4000 gas engine output passes the 3000 mark

The Series 4000 natural gas engine has been part of Rolls-Royce's MTU-branded product portfolio since October 2004. The 3000th gas genset has now rolled off the production line. It will be delivered to VPower Group, one of the world's leading system integrators in the power generation sector, for a…

New root system improvement product

Verano365 is releasing a new product for greenhouse, nursery and hydroponic growers, which intends to improve the plants root system development.  The product is Nutrivix Zn | CU,…

"Breeding for the entire world from the new centre Tomato Vision"

"At Syngenta we call this our active greenhouse. Of course this is not the only place where we breed tomatoes, but here breeding is done by using the most advanced techniques. Everything is possible: we can breed for the entire world because we can simulate all circumstances. Therefore, with this…

Rootstock and arbuscular mycorrhiza effects on eggplant

The herbaceous grafting of fruiting vegetables is considered a toolbox for safeguarding yield stability under various distresses and for improving fruit quality. Inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) fungi seems also to be an efficient tool for increasing the assimilation, uptake and translocation…

Show gives grower a chance to show off its uniqueness

For one vertical indoor organic grower, this year’s United Fresh LIVE! is a chance to potentially reach a broader audience. “We want to be able to talk to a wider span of people with this show,” says Don Helms of Rockingham, VA-based That’s Tasty. “It’s new territory so we’re looking at interesting and…

Green refrigeration system

At A.C. Hartman in the North of The Netherlands, mainly tomatoes, cucumbers and bell peppers are grown for customers like the premium supermarket chain Albert Heijn and Bakker Barendrecht, one of the largest fruit and vegetable companies. Recently Hartman was acquired by Best Fresh Group. The ambition of Best Fresh is to market…

US: FDA report provides clues to prevent future outbreaks

California leafy greens growers are pledging to incorporate findings from a report issued today by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) into its ongoing process to…

Farmers to Families Food Box and CFAP programs discussed at this week's PMA virtual town hall

This week’s virtual town hall featured Bruce Summers of the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service and Hunt Shipman of Cornerstone Government Affairs. The topics of discussion were the overall progress of the Farmers to Families Food box Program, as well as the recently announced CFAP program. This special…

Workshops inspire companies, public entities to take up urban farming

Agritecture’s digital workshops are suited for both private companies and public entities looking to explore how urban agriculture might fit in with their current projects or long-term goals. Working closely with the host and their unique priorities, Agritecture plans, organizes, and carries out the entire workshop…

Speedy baptism