Isopp Agri System, an agricultural production corporation in Kitami, Hokkaido, has developed a map showing soybean and wheat crop yields by different colors. Through making field distribution visible, the firm hopes to utilize the data to work out manuring strategies for next year. The firm generated yield maps using a Global Positioning System-equipped large-size combine harvester which it purchased from German firm Claas. It is the first Japanese company to import a combine to create yield maps, according to the firm. The combine, while it harvests crops, identifies location information using high-precision Real Time Kinematic (RTK) GPS and divides a field into five colors for every 10 square meters according … Continue reading →

Yuka Kanno and Shigeko Suzuki The World Health Organization’s recent announcement that processed meat, such as ham and sausages, have major risk of causing cancer has begun to affect consumers as the yearend gift season approaches. Sales of such products have shown decline at department stores, as consumers are apparently refraining from buying them which have been popular as presents. The meat industry is calling on consumers not to overreact, saying that consumption in Japan is not high enough to pose any health threats. On Monday, Oct. 26, the WHO’s International Agency for Research on Cancer based in Lyon, France, reported that processed meat such as sausages and bacon can … Continue reading →