The London Farm Show is bringing farmers, researchers and agricultural organizations together this week to showcase new technology shaping the future of agriculture.
The event at the Western Fair District features innovations ranging from agricultural drones and crop genetics to food rescue initiatives aimed at reducing food insecurity.
DJI Agras T100 Drone
One technology drawing attention at the show is the use of drones to treat crops without sending heavy equipment into fields.
“Maybe in a time when you wouldn’t want to get your planter in the field this thing can fly over your field and broadcast cover crops without any compaction,” said Myles Weishar with Drone Spray Canada. “So a big thing with compaction is no compaction with the drone compared to traditional equipment.”
Weishar said avoiding soil compaction can improve soil health and help farmers maintain productive crops.
Experts at the show are also discussing advances in crop science.
Area agronomist Greg Stopps said new gene-editing technologies are helping scientists better understand plant genetics and develop crops that are more resilient to disease and environmental pressures.
“Over the last 20 years we’ve seen an increase rapidly where the cost of utilizing those tools has significantly decreased and our understanding of corn genetics or any crop genetics has dramatically improved,” Stopps said.
Some organizations attending the show are focusing on food insecurity.
Paul Mansfield – Harvest Hands Volunteer
Paul Mansfield, a volunteer with the food rescue organization Harvest Hands, said the group collects unsold food from farms, grocery stores and manufacturers and redistributes it to community organizations.
“We’re behind the scenes rescuing food from grocery stores, farms and large greenhouse organizations,” Mansfield said. “We bring it back to our St. Thomas location, repackage it and send it out to about 400 organizations.”
The London Farm Show runs at the Western Fair District until March 6.
More information about the event can be found at:
https://www.londonfarmshow.com/
