AUGUST 2024 13 TECHNOLOGIES TO WATCH and tissues that would otherwise come from traditional agriculture. This is an important science to be aware of, as it can be used as a meat (animal) substitute, especially in places where it is not cost-effective to raise an animal on feed to eventually slaughter it for food. Lab-grown meat does offer the bonus of requiring fewer beef cattle, which means a reduction in released GHGs from the cattle—so less of an environmental impact. And, for countries where raising healthy animals is troublesome, to put it mildly, the technology of lab-grown meat seems like an acceptable method of raising consumable meat proteins. Right now, lab-grown meat is past being science-fiction. It’s science- fact. But it’s still in its infancy. Holding it back are the finances to scale up production, consumer acceptance, and the regulatory frameworks to consider. Even so, there are several companies in Canada involved in cellular agriculture and the development of labgrown meat. Vancouver-based Appleton Meats is one such company, as is Edmonton’s Future Fields. Despite the early days of this technology, the efforts of these and other companies may one day be a contributor to providing more sustainable meat proteins. Precision Livestock Farming We know everyone is aware of precision agriculture (PAg) technologies, which utilize data analytics, sensors, and GPS technology to optimize crop management. Some of the better-known aspects of PAg are: Variable Rate Technology (VRT), which adjusts input applications (such as fertilizers and pesticides) based on real-time field conditions; Drones and Satellites, which allow the monitoring of crop health, detection of pests, and assessment of soil moisture levels, for example; and Automated Machinery, which provides self-driving tractors and equipment, enhancing precision planting and harvesting. We’ll be taking a look at some of these technologies in this article. Put it all together, and all these technologies help farmers be more efficient with their inputs and help farm businesses save money. But not all farm businesses... PAg seems to be specific to crop farming, and yes, fruits and vines. But what about the animals? That’s where Precision Livestock Farming comes in. In this instance, the technology involves sensors, animal wearables, and data analytics to improve livestock management. It allows for the real-time monitoring of animal health, behaviour, and nutrition and can enhance productivity. While Precision Livestock Farming is gaining prominence as farmers seek innovative solutions to enhance efficiency and sustainability, there’s still the issue of data integration, data privacy, and ensuring practical implementation on diverse farms. If anyone is worried about that, then they should never use a cell phone again. Precision Crop Tech of Abbotsford, British Columbia, is recognized as one of the top precision farming companies in Canada. They offer cutting-edge solutions to enhance agricultural practices, including precision livestock farming. Based in Saint-Bernard, Québec, Agriculture de Précision Xlkey focuses on precision agriculture methods. While not exclusively livestock-focused, their expertise contributes to overall farm efficiency and sustainability. Vertical Farming Vertical farming is the process whereby crops sit in racks of soil, one on top of the other, rather than the traditional horizontal rows. It’s an indoor farming method that requires artificial temperature, light, water, and humidity control. By growing crops vertically, less space is required (just height), which provides a higher crop yield per square foot of land used. This type of ag allows for farming and technology to be applied in cities, an agricultural biogas plant on a farm in the Czech Republic.
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