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Vinbot: vineyard robot VINBOT is an all-terrain autonomous mobile robot equipped with a set of sensors capable of capturing and analysing vineyard images and 3D data by means of cloud computing applications. This Precision Viticulture tool will allow winegrowers to accurately assess the yield and leave behind current estimates based on visual inspection of small samples which lead to error and low quality wines. VINBOT will estimate the amount of leaves, grapes and other phyto-data in the vine throughout the entire vineyard via computer vision and other sensors and will generate online yield and vigour maps to help winegrowers optimise management strategies. Winegrowers will be able to blend grapes with the same ripeness state and thus producing high quality wines. Furthermore, they will be able to segment their production in different qualities and quantities to maximise its benefits. See: http://vinbot.eu/ Machines get two-way communication The next step in ag technology may be implements that not only talk back to tractors but tell them what to do. See: http://farmindustrynews.com/blog/machines-get-two-way-communication Agco, Trimble partner on data platforms Agco and Trimble announced that they are partnering to deliver wireless connectivity between Agco’s VarioDoc and AgCommand systems and the Trimble Connected Farm solution. The functionality is expected to be available to customers in North America in September and in Europe, Africa and the Middle East in the fourth quarter of 2015. See: http://farmindustrynews.com/precision-farming/agco-trimble-partner-data-platforms
The Bees Are Safe—Now Lift This Pesticide Ban Brussels banned a class of pesticides to avert a ‘beepocalypse’ that wasn’t happening. Now bugs threaten crops, and farmers may need harsher chemicals. See: http://www.wsj.com/articles/the-bees-are-safenow-lift-this-pesticide-ban-1437594547 UK suspends ban on pesticides linked to serious harm in bees See: http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/jul/23/uk-suspends-ban-pesticides-linked-serious-harm-bees EASAC (European Academies' Science Advisory Council) Statement on New Breeding Techniques New Breeding Techniques are emerging rapidly from advances in genomic research, for application in crop improvement. They enable precise, targeted, reliable changes in the genome (and, thus, are different from Genetically Modified Organisms, GMOs, produced previously) and have significant potential for the sustainable intensification of agriculture and food security, when used as part of the deployment of all available approaches and building on existing good agronomic practice. Unlike chemical or radiation induced mutagenesis, often traditionally used as a basis for crop improvement, the New Breeding Techniques do not create multiple, unknown, unintended mutations throughout the genome. For several of the techniques, the resultant plant product is free from genes foreign to the species and would not be distinguishable from the product generated by conventional breeding techniques. This calls into question what is meant by genetic modification and raises issues for the modernisation of regulatory frameworks. See: http://www.easac.eu/fileadmin/PDF_s/reports_statements/EASAC_Statement_on_New_Breeding_Techniques_July_2015.pdf Signalé Agnès RICROCH Mél : agnes.ricroch(a)agroparistech.fr Seeds - Biotech Companies Capitalize on the Rising Demand for Grains, A Global Strategic Business Report Global market for seeds is segregated into traditional seeds and genetically modified (GM) seeds. Traditional seeds continue to account for a major share of the market, while GM seeds constitutes the fastest growing market segment. Major factors driving market growth for GM/Bioseeds include the need for increased productivity against the backdrop of decreasing arable land, and growing number of people to feed. Commercialization and technology advancements, over the years, have transformed seeds into highly-coveted proprietary commodities from their humble origins in the hands of land tillers. See: http://www.strategyr.com/PressMCP-4055.asp See: http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/global-seeds-market-300097460.html GMO fears grow — why? Despite many scientists’ assurances that genetically modified organisms are safe, wariness remains See: http://eeditionmobile.chicagotribune.com/Olive/Tablet/ChicagoTribune/SharedArticle.aspx?href=CTC%2F2015%2F07%2F10&id=Ar02401 French Forum Phyto – Minor uses and speciality crops at the European Parliament – Biocontrol for Fruit and vegetables in Africa-Caribbean-Pacific – Historic movie : Good Phytosanitary Practices in the USA in 1963 – “Why everyone who is sure about a food philosophy is wrong” (T Haspel, Washington Post) – To smile: Chemical Party (video) See: http://www.forumphyto.fr/2015/07/31/infoflash-for-english-readers-1504/?lang=en Mother of Six A husband, who has six children, begins to call his wife "mother of six” rather than by her first name. The wife, amused at first, chuckles. A few years down the road, the wife has grown tired of this. "Mother of six," he would say, "what’s for dinner tonight? Get me a beer!". She gets very frustrated. Finally, while attending a party with her husband, he jokingly yells out, "Mother of six, I think it's time to go!" The wife immediately shouts back, "I'll be right with you, father of four!" The distribution of this efita newsletter is sponsored by vitisphere.com Please, contribute to the content of your efita newsletter, and advertise your events, new publications, new products and new project in this newsletter. Without your support, it will not survive! Contact: Guy WAKSMAN E-mail: guy.waksman(a)laposte.net To read this newsletter on our web site See: http://www.informatique-agricole.org/gazette/efita/efita_150803_703.htm
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