Agriculture Roundup for Monday, April 29, 2024

Apr 29, 2024 | 2:52 PM

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations has stated less than 33 per cent of the world’s surface has mobile network coverage.

That’s why CNH and one of the world’s largest integrated satellite and terrestrial communication networks are collaborating to provide farmers universal access to the internet through a satellite communications (SATCOM) service.

Based on a new memorandum of understanding, Intelsat will provide multi-orbit internet access to connect CNH equipment working in remote locations and satellite terminals.

CNH Chief Digital and Information Officer Marc Kermisch said satellite technology helps solve complex connectivity challenges for hard-to-reach farms, but not all providers are equal.

“Intelsat stands out for their depth of experience as well as the quality and reliability of their service and industrial terminal offerings. They get what it means to be rugged,” Kermisch said.

Intelsat’s capabilities span geosynchronous and low-Earth orbits, offering Case IH, Steyr and New Holland customers SATCOM coverage.

Intelsat’s industrial-grade terminals serve other industrial applications, including for the military and airlines.

This offering will be first available in the second half of 2024 to farmers in Brazil.

Maple syrup is an iconic Canadian export, and people around the world enjoy Canada’s delicious, top-quality maple products, with exports reaching $615 million last year.

Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Lawrence MacAulay said the federal government will provide $3.6 million to the Québec Maple Syrup Producers (QMSP) through the AgriMarketing Program, an initiative under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership.

The investment will allow the QMSP to increase the promotion of Canadian maple products and boost sales in Germany, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Japan.

Promotional activities will highlight maple syrup’s versatility in cooking and baking, its nutritional value, and its sustainability through print and digital content, social media campaigns, podcasts, conference attendance, and more.

Dairy Farmers of Canada (DFC) and Starbucks are joining forces to advance sustainability in the dairy sector.

Starbucks will commit $500,000 to support dairy sustainability-focused projects this year.

It rewards farmers who are successfully adopting environmental best management practices. Farmers receive up to $2,000 who meet the select criteria and are Farm Credit Canada customers.

Starbucks will provide additional funding to the FCC program in two new categories, Top Achieving and Most Improved.

alice.mcfarlane@pattisonmedia.com

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