Local area agricultural operations and a Bothwell farmer have received provincial recognition during an event held in Ingersoll.
A. Driedger Farms Inc. has been recognized for developing a device that lessens the impact of using large tractors and transport trailers in the harvesting of tomatoes.
The Wheatley operation has developed a self-propelled machine with a disc head assembly in front of the chassis that gently lifts and transfers entire rows of tomato plants to neighbouring rows with no damage to the fruit. The device has also sped up the harvesting of tomatoes by 19%. It also has the potential for applications in cucumber and other vegetable fields.
Carther Plants has developed top-quality soil-less strawberry plug plants perfect for greenhouse production.
The day-neutral cultivars can be grown throughout the year. Meanwhile, the hydroponic culture lowers the risk of disease and nematodes.