$4.5 million partnership to develop in-field grain prediction and assessment technology
Protein Industries Canada, Ground Truth Agriculture, Parametrics.Ag, Cas-Grain Farms and C-Merak Innovations are combining their expertise in the areas of software development, ingredient processing and agronomics to design an in-season protein prediction model and on-combine grain grading and quality system that can be used to assess crop quality in real time during the growing season and harvest.
“Farming will always be both an art and a science. More and more, real-time data collection offers valuable insights to guide decision-making. We are excited to work with our project partners to develop AI-driven solutions that will improve in-season prediction of crop quality and attributes to manage inputs and create higher returns through market opportunities,” said Cas-Grain Farms CEO Vince Casavant.
In-field validation of grain quality will provide farmers with an earlier indication of their crop’s yield, protein content and overall quality to improve their decision making and sale opportunities.
“Since the beginning of conventional farming, farmers have had to rely on a subjective, blanket approach to grain grading that does not provide them with a complete and actionable picture of their quality,” Ground Truth Agriculture Founder and CEO Kyle Folk said. “Ground Truth Ag’s precision-location, automated grain grading technology uses cutting-edge scientific advancements in machine learning to make grain grading objective and consistent throughout the entire supply chain — starting on the farm. What we are building will change agriculture on a global scale.”
This information will also provide buyers like ingredient manufacturers with a more consistent supply of feedstock for uniform ingredient formulations leading to improved food and beverage products on grocery store shelves.
“As a food ingredient manufacturer, we need large predictable and consistent quantities of feedstock. With greater access to detailed feedstock insights provided by this project, we can optimize processing methods to increase protein quality and functionality. In a growing world that demands more protein, support from Protein Industries Canada for the project will help us apply AI innovation and bring enhanced Canadian plant-protein solutions to global consumers,” said C-Merak Innovations CEO Brett Casavant.
Protein Industries Canada is investing $2 million into the project, with Ground Truth Agriculture, Parametrics.Ag, Cas-Grain Farms and C-Merak Innovations investing the remainder.
Funded under Protein Industries Canada’s artificial intelligence stream of funding, the project is part of the Pan-Canadian Artificial Intelligence Strategy, through which the Government of Canada is investing in efforts to drive the adoption of artificial intelligence across Canada’s economy and society.
