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"Tweeting Growers"
Top 5 -yesterday
Top 5 -last week
- Combining vertical farming and greenhouse horticulture to decentralize lettuce production
- Fresh produce chain hit by Lakeside Produce’s bankruptcy
- Growy acquires assets and team of Kalera International (&ever)
- Positive vibes on the first day of IPM '23
- CAN: Land Betterment acquires 50% ownership in greenhouse operations
Top 5 -last month
- How farmers are cutting out supermarkets
- Combining vertical farming and greenhouse horticulture to decentralize lettuce production
- Mexico: Rising Farms boosts capacity fivefold
- Higher light transmission and lower heat demand with double foil greenhouse
- Fresh produce chain hit by Lakeside Produce’s bankruptcy
Friday, February 3, 2023


Model-based cultivation: virtual yield can optimise cultivation business
"Every project is only as strong as its weakest link"
"A Chilean grower was recently asked to calculate his potential profit if he were to dose CO2. The costs go up considerably, but the production and potential profit increase even more provided it is all managed properly. The nice thing about this is that it is a relatively low investment. But because you…

Heleen Lugt, LetsGrow.com:
“Everbearers profit from data-driven approach”
Understanding to what extent flushes and production waves in strawberry production can be smoothed out with a climate strategy will make crop planning a lot easier, says Heleen Lugt with LetsGrow.com. The company does extensive research to make this possible with crop data. She sees opportunities to use…


Results of retractable cooling roof trials with strawberries in Mexico
The strawberry industry keeps on innovating. In Mexico, growing trials took place last year where the advantages of the natural outdoors were combined with a protected environment. “We are always trying to develop new ways for growers to increase their profitability by optimizing their growing…

construction completes this fall
US: New England's first CHP greenhouse completes funding milestone
The North Country Growers (NCG) project has achieved its initial funding milestone that will enable NCG to continue its forward momentum. NCG is expected to complete construction by this fall and begin operations in Q4 2023 in a market yearning for fresh and affordable produce. This project has strong…
bankruptcy came as a surprise
Restart for bankrupt 30MHZ within Sobolt group
30MHz is making a relaunch within the Sobolt Group. An agreement to this effect was reached on February 1. A month ago, the Amsterdam-based sensor and data company went…

Managing the greenhouse from the cloud: opportunities with SaaS
Many new AI technology, software, and hardware solutions are providing a breakthrough in many aspects of the greenhouse sector. But how do you make a wise choice as a greenhouse horticulture entrepreneur, and what options do you have? What do you still want to manage in ownership yourself, and what does…

Priva partners with Integrated Bioengineering
"This partnership will simplify water management for the CEA industry"
Priva has recently entered into a strategic partnership with Integrated Bioengineering to deliver end-to-end water process management solutions for controlled environment agriculture. "Our newly formed partnership with Integrated Bioengineering is an exciting growth opportunity and enables us to extend…

CAN (QC): Rigaud-based ecological farm adopts dynamic LED solution
Located in Rigaud, Québec, Petit Brûlé aims to limit its impact on the environment by promoting sustainable farming and livestock techniques, as well as food and energy self-sufficiency. The ecological farm offers produce to local consumers and provide weekly baskets of fruits and vegetables to their…

"We often hear: 'Your bulbs give more light than you promise'"
Does lighting with LED mean the end of HPS? Manuel Oomen of Agrolux says not: "No, certainly not, at least not in a global context, but for the European Union, Brussels has set the HPS end date at 2027. What we are seeing is that some customers are gradually switching to LED and initially opting for a…

"There’s something special about Sinaloan farms"
As January came to a finish, produce supplies are expected to increase from West Mexico in the first days of February. With warmer weather on the horizon, Nogales-based grower-shipper, Divine Flavor will ramp up all its major vegetable commodities from its grower alliance in the Culiacan, Sinaloa region.…

SeedsTec Italia
A cherry tomato that tastes like summer even in winter
SeedsTec Italia organised another open day in 2023, which this time focused on Livanti FT, a cherry tomato. Although it is actually a spring and summer cherry tomato, Seeds Technologies presented Livanti F1, grafted on the Selvaggio F1 rootstock, which was transplanted on 6 October, outside its ideal…

Foto: Kräutergarten Johannes Adams
Johannes Adams from the herb garden of the same name in Düsseldorf:Constant level of demand despite price increase of 10 to 20 percent for thyme
The thyme harvest at Kräutergarten Johannes Adams in Düsseldorf is slowly coming to an end. The company was able to offer the popular spice plant for ten months last year, aiming for year-round availability, as managing director Johannes Adams tells us. "Our major customers take between 500 kg to 1 ton…

Tom van der Meer turns 50
On February 2, Tom van der Meer turned 50 years old. Tom was Artechno's first employee, both at the old and new Artechno. His colleagues put him in the limelight as Tom ''is always there for everyone. As Realization Manager, he flies around the world to get our projects on order down to the last bolt and bit." For more information:Artechno…
Today on social media more »

Co owner Prominent grevelingen
Marc Groenewegen
This week I was shown this photo asking if I knew what it was. I really had no idea what I was looking at? Roots growing out of the stam, mealybug, edema? In any case, there was an incipient infestation of Botrytis on the stam. Was it from a hand sanitizer? In any case, not a pretty picture. After some back and forth "linked…
Greenhouse expansion projects more »

© Sebastian Czapnik | Dreamstime.com
$50,000 grant to expand West Ward community farmUS (PA): ‘A greenhouse is the heartbeat of a garden’
The Easton Area Neighborhood Center hauled in a whopping 11,000 pounds of vegetables and fruits from its tiny 2-acre farm last year. That food went toward feeding Easton’s West Ward and local families in need of assistance, but Program Director Jake Williams has set higher goals for the organization in…
Cultivation more »

© Lightpoet | Dreamstime.com
New grant to grow fresh produce, health equity for CNY refugees
A new greenhouse is coming to the nonprofit Refugee and Immigrant Self-Empowerment, or RISE. The organization's agriculture program teaches refugees from countries around the world how to farm in the upstate climate. A recent $30,000 grant will help the organization grow its resources to expand its…
Technique more »

Baby vs. teen leaf : what’s the best approach for loose leaf lettuce?
There's a growing interest worldwide to move the production of loose leaf lettuce and other greens (spinach, arugula, kale, etc.) from open fields into greenhouses. There is a wide range of vocabulary in use to describe the produce and the way it is grown: baby leaf, teen leaf, toddler leaf… "With the…
Company News more »
2023 marks the 110th anniversary of Sakata Seed Corporation
Sakata: 110 years by the side of the whole food chain
The year 2023 marks the 110th anniversary of Sakata Seed Corporation. At Fruit Logistica, hall 8.2 - stand B61, Sakata EMEA will highlight the close ties woven with its…

© Lovelyday12 | Dreamstime.com
Valent BioSciences acquires FBSciences
Valent BioSciences has acquired FBSciences Holdings. With this acquisition, Valent BioSciences and its parent company, Sumitomo Chemical Co., now offer integrated biorational solutions, including biostimulants, biopesticides and crop nutrition solutions. The acquisition of FBSciences, a leader in…

Proseal marks a 25-year milestone
1998: the Google search engine was launched, Cher’s Believe was the UK’s best-selling single of the year, Arsenal won the Premiership title – and tray sealing specialist Proseal produced its very first machine. Since then, the company has grown to become the world leader in tray sealing technology and an…

Agri-voltaic systems as a great income opportunity for young producers
Agri-voltaic systems form part of those systems that produce renewable energy and are the most suitable to quickly reach the European objectives of 50% renewable energy and energy independence by 2030. This need is made necessary by the war in Ukraine and the subsequent increase in gas prices. In…

US (CT): Horticulture representative transplants to Midsouth and new one takes over in California
Max Gilley has been a successful horticulture representative for BioSafe Systems in California for four years and is a valuable member of the team. He recently transplanted to…

“Trickier than ever to find the right supply/demand balance”
Smaller chicory yield expected in Belgium
This year’s Belgian chicory yield is 20% lower than usual. That could prove beneficial, even though cost prices have risen substantially. “It’s trickier than ever to find a good supply/demand balance,” begins Charles Cattoir of Primalof. Primalof cultivates, packs, and markets chicory. This Belgian…

Freshinset
Vidre+ works to extend the shelf-life of tomatoes
Sources say that trials conducted with Vidre+ technology demonstrate that the shelf-life and color evolution of tomatoes can be significantly delayed or influenced. Research seems to indicate that Vidre+ extends the shelf-life of tomatoes harvested at color stage 3-5 to 12-18 days after harvest. This was…
Grower in the Spotlight more »

themanilatimes.com
Philippines: High-tech greenhouse becomes tourist attraction
In one of his field visits, former Agriculture secretary William Dar was attracted to an unlikely destination in Tagaytay City. Not quite on the radar, the Turbulent Drip Sales Inc. farm was not intended to become an agri-tourism site. The visit of the Agriculture secretary would be the farm's first…
Crop Protection more »

Protecting produce from viruses through active packing technologies
In the produce sector, assuring freshness and safety has long been a leading concern of processors, distributors, and brands. Conventional mitigation strategies focus on wash…

What is the best strategy to prevent outbreaks of bacterial plant diseases?
Bacterial diseases can cause considerable damage and loss of quality in some crops. But there are hardly any plant protection products available to combat the plant pathogenic…
Market Information more »

Esther García, of La Unión:
"At the moment, the supply of vegetables available in Almeria is insufficient to meet the demand"
In the last days of January, the fruit and vegetable products of Almeria have been reaching very good prices at the province's auctions, like La Union's, where most vegetables have easily exceeded the Euro per kilo (in the case of striped eggplant, their price on January 26 stood at 2.75 € / kg),…

Laredo District in Texas is number 1 for US-Mexico agricultural trade
Fueled by produce shipments traveling via trucks and rail, the Laredo customs district was the top U.S.-Mexico border port of entry (POE) for agricultural trade from January…
31% higher than last year’s base price of $105
California canning tomato price at record high
The 2023 California canning tomato price is set at $138 per ton for the conventional crop. This is a record price, 31% higher than last year’s base price of $105. The…

The Government of Spain will pay 300 million euro to farmers because of increased fertilizer prices
The Council of Ministers has agreed to authorize the payment of EUR 300 million in aid to holders of agricultural holdings as compensation for the accumulated increase in the…
Energy more »

Study reveals environmental benefits of modified atmosphere packaging
Addressing the need for extensive reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, StePac, L.A. Ltd. analyzed supply chains it is closely involved with to assess how its advanced…
Fertilizers more »

Transbaikalia issued warnings about incorrect pesticide and agrochemical usage
In January 2023, Russia's agriculture watchdog Rosselkhoznadzor in the Transbaikalia region issued 29 warnings for violating mandatory requirements for handling chemical crop…
Breeding more »

Colombian tropical seed bank protects seed biodiversity
The world lost 75 percent of its crop diversity during the twentieth century, the UN’s Food and Agricultural Organization says, making the protection of the biodiversity in crops key to feeding the planet’s ever-growing population.
Product Info more »
Fruit scanner set to reduce waste
Scanner uses algorithms and NIR sensor to identify freshness of avocados and strawberries
According to tech company OneThird, up to 40% of perishable foods end up being discarded before they are consumed. The company has created a scanner that allows the user to…
Substrates more »

Mohamed Raashid, Evergreen Exports:
“People tend to choose their coir pith based on EC, sand content and expansion volume”
Evergreen Exports in India manufactures and exports Coir pith, or cocopeat, a by-product of coir fiber extraction. The low EC premium 5 Kg Coir pith blocks the company produces have many applications and can be used in nurseries, greenhouses, home gardening, farming, horticulture, potting soil, hydroseed…
Organic more »
Jan Groen, Green Organics:
“We’re reaching a point where conventional costs more than organic”
"Things are ever dynamic and tumultuous, and no different for organic than conventional. The organic sector keeps gradually growing. Sometimes demand's too high; sometimes,…
Post-harvest & Packaging more »

Mediane introduces Sealpap banderoles
Paper packaging solution now also available as banderole
New legislation for the packaging of fresh products has given the use of paper in the packaging of fruit, vegetables, and other horticultural products, an extra boost. At the upcoming Fruit Logistica in Berlin, Mediane will introduce, among other items, sealable and recyclable Paper banderoles. Mediane introduced…
Food Safety more »

UK: Nursery, registration, and supervision requirements to move or send plants for planting to the EU or Northern Ireland for non-commercial purposes
Plants for planting being moved from Great Britain to the EU or Northern Ireland for personal use, either in luggage or via post/parcel, need to meet EU requirements. For a full guide on EU requirements, please see…
Events more »

NL: Trade mission agriculture and water Mexico
Agriculture and horticulture are responsible for 70% of the total water use in Mexico. At this moment, many agri-food producers rely on obsolete irrigation systems and lack proper wastewater treatment, water reuse, and water catchment technologies, have limited access to technical assistance, and a high…
Retail more »

Photo report: three Israeli supermarkets' fruit and vegetable sections
During a visit to Israel, we visited several supermarkets in Jerusalem, Eilat, and Hadera. It is interesting to check out the assortment and see the prices. Where do the products originate from? How are they presented? And how is it going with the fourth range? Many products are locally sourced. Travel…
Labor more »

© Ivan Nakonechnyy | Dreamstime.com
Saudi: Al-Fadhli approves plan to increase agricultural production in greenhouses
Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture Eng. Abdulrahman Bin Abdul Mohsen Al-Fadhli, who is also the chairman of the Board of Directors of the Agricultural Development Fund, has approved the expansion plan in the plant resources sector and greenhouses with a new investment worth SR4 billion until…
Lighting more »

Saving on heating with LEDs?
One of the most recent novelties to use otherwise lost heat in a greenhouse is the LEDFan, developed by Food Autonomy for the cultivation of tomatoes in high-tech greenhouses. It replaces the traditional HPS 1:1, but instead of increased heat costs for normal LED installations, this system saves on heating. Thanks to the…
Irrigation more »
'Technical failure' or water as a result
More Dutch geothermal drilling ended by 2022
The development of geothermal heat in the Netherlands is in full swing. More and more projects are being realized, despite sometimes financial or subsidy difficulties.…
Education and research more »

Ohio State, Rutgers, Cornell, the University of Arizona, Koidra, and Hort Americas team up to lead USDA-awarded grant
Commercial horticultural supplier Hort Americas has joined The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES); Rutgers University; Cornell University; the University of Arizona Controlled Environment Ag Center (CEAC); and Koidra on a research and development…