Farming For Tomorrow August 2023

On The Road Again

Gatez Farms uses the values of Ag to drive change locally and abroad

August 1 & 2, 2023 at Olds College

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By Nerissa McNaughton

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Scott Shiels

Kevin Hursh, P.Ag.

Kevin Hursh is one of the country’s leading agricultural commentators. He is an agrologist, journalist and farmer. Kevin and his wife Marlene run Hursh Consulting & Communications based in Saskatoon. They also own and operate a farm near Cabri in southwest Saskatchewan growing a wide variety of crops. Kevin writes for a number of agricultural publications and serves as executive director for the Canary Seed Development Commission of Saskatchewan and the Inland Terminal Association of Canada (ITAC). Twitter: @KevinHursh1

Big Changes in Ag Technology and Practices

Over the years, I’ve had many discussions, sometimes heated, with farming family members and other acquaintances about the changing methods and practices in the industry. It’s amazing how much resistance to change there can sometimes be.

I farm in southwest Saskatchewan where for decades durum was king. Discussions weren’t about what you were going to seed. Only the variety of durum was in question.

Durum one year, summerfallow the next. You disced, cultivated or rod weeded four or five times a season to control weeds, but you were cognizant of the importance of preserving trash cover to minimize wind erosion.

The opposition to alternative crops was intense. “Durum grows best on my farm,” said many farmers who had never really grown anything else.

I remember being asked at a New Year’s Eve gathering why the hell I was trying to grow lentils. By then, farmers were having success with lentils in other regions, but they were still new and troublesome in our local area.

Having to inoculate the seed was considered a major imposition. Most swathers were ill-suited to cutting lentils and chemical desiccation was considered too expensive.

Some growers seemed to consider it a God-given right to grow only durum and still make money.

Many of the same farmers who questioned the sanity of lentils now have them as a major crop. What’s more, summerfallow has all but disappeared.

Tillage to control weeds gave way to glyphosate as its price came down. And with pulse crops like peas and lentils in the rotation, chem fallow gradually gave way to continuous cropping.

Many producers back in the day believed you couldn’t farm without fallow. The soil needed a rest and there just wasn’t enough rain to grow a crop every year. How attitudes have changed.

The first air seeders featured a lot of plugged runs and poor depth control. Technology quickly improved as air drills replaced air seeders and producers realized that you didn’t have to till the soil to seed a crop.

In the days when durum was king, so was swathing. According to prevailing wisdom, waiting for the crop to fully ripen so you could straight cut would never be viable. Besides, a lot of producers had pull-type combines that could only accommodate a pickup header.

When Case IH quit building pull-type combines, the writing was on the wall. That was the end of the pull-type era. Today, it’s rare to see a cereal crop being swathed.

The adoption of GPS guidance occurred with amazing speed as compared to previous changes. Autosteer was demonstrated at farm shows for a while before units were commercially available.

“It’ll be a cold day in hell when I can’t steer my own tractor, sprayer and combine,” lamented unconvinced producers. But the straight lines in fields and the ease of operation soon won converts. In the matter of a few short years, practically everyone had adopted guidance systems.

Maybe I’m getting old and obstinate like those who belittled the developments that are now mainstream, but I have trouble with some of the agricultural concepts being promoted these days.

Some bio-stimulant products may find a place in Prairie agriculture, but with all the fancy claims and snake oil products on the market, I remain wary. Let’s see objective third-party data.

I don’t know what regenerative agriculture actually means. The same applies when trying to define sustainability. Governments use these terms, but I don’t think they have good definitions either.

I understand the theory of precision agriculture and variable rate applications. I think it’s the future, but it’s taking a long time to develop economically viable approaches. The vast majority of farmers are still watching from the sidelines or just dabbling with the practice.

I really try to not be a curmudgeon pooh-poohing new developments, but on some of this stuff, I think the jury is still out.

“It’ll be a cold day in hell when I can’t steer my own tractor, sprayer and combine,” lamented unconvinced producers. But the straight lines in fields and the ease of operation soon won converts. In the matter of a few short years, practically everyone had adopted guidance systems.

SOWING THE SEEDS OF CHANGE – TOGETHER

Gatez Farms uses the values of Ag to drive change locally and abroad

By Nerissa McNaughton

Photography By Rebecca Hardcastle Photography

Gatez Farms Ltd. is a third-generation, family corporation producing and providing premium grain, seed and pulse crops from two locations (south and north) in Alberta. With decades of growth, the success of Gatez Farms is due, only in part, to the premium products produced. The main thing this family grows is partnerships.

From how to plant to whom to hire, from collaborative partnerships to industry advocacy, every aspect of operations starts in the deep roots of Gatez Farms’ values: honesty, integrity, kindness and respect. On that foundation, partnerships flourish – and with those partnerships in place, Gatez Farms grows a better future for all.

“The future of tomorrow’s farming is based on the power of the relationships built today,” says Blaine Gatez, who has been in the family business for more than 30 years. He learned the value of collaboration from the start by working alongside his family.

“My parents started the farm and were also involved with other industries. My parents, brother-in-law and other farmers/ industry partners in the area all worked together. This farm bears our family name but it is greater than our family; when we say we are a corporate family farm, that does not just mean by blood. It means everyone who is part of our operation. The farm team is part of our family too and are treated as such.”

As a second-generation farmer in the family business, Blaine couldn’t be more excited about the third generation taking an active role; not just in the business but in the industry at large.

“Our daughter Emily and her husband Austin are an integral part of the team and their young children, Hudson and Nash, are also enjoying farm life,” smiles Blaine. “They will be continuing to

expand our acres on our south farm base, having recently incorporated their own farm. Our second daughter, Madison, is a high school teacher. She has worked directly on the farm in the past and now helps students learn how to think, work and interact in their communities using farm-based values. She has advocated for us to partners and research groups; we rely on her eloquence and passion in talking about agriculture. Madison’s husband, Taran, is one of the first graduates of the new diploma program, techgronomy, offered by Olds College.

“Both of my sons-in-law,” he continues, “have found a home in agriculture. They started their careers elsewhere but came to love the camaraderie of farm life.” Blaine pauses to grin with pride. “I have two beautiful, successful daughters and two sons-in-law, all enjoying ag. This is nice!”

In 2002, with expansion in mind, Blaine and wife Laura, parents Gerald and Linda, his sister Lana and brother-in law-Peter Cissell worked with other young producers to set up a base in Spirit River. At that time, the challenging economic climate and the lure of the oil and gas industry were pulling young farmers in the area out of agriculture.

“We took production control of the farmland and with a lot of late nights and travel up to 800 kilometres away from our home base, we operated the second farm as a way to use grain production to build wealth in ag real estate. This farm is geared to benefit future generations farming and investing in property, thanks to strong relationships with local managers,” says Blaine.

The Spirit River base is now running smoothly, having grown to 12,000-plus acres.

Those partnerships that stem from the family and team on the

Blaine and his wife Laura, and his parents Gerald and Linda make up just a part of the Gaetz Farms team

farm spill generously out into the community – and the results are impactful.

One such example is the relationship Gatez Farms has with Olds College.

Olds College Smart Farm is a cutting-edge learning and applied research environment providing hands-on training and realworld experience. The 3,600-acre Smart Farm focuses on precision agriculture, agri-tech and digital agriculture, utilizing advanced technologies such as drones, IoT devices and data analytics to improve productivity, sustainability and profitability in farming. The goal of Smart Farm aligns perfectly with the ultimate goal of Gatez Farms: to ensure progress in farming benefits and improves the lives of all.

One aspect of the partnership sees the testing of tech and innovation, such as autonomous farm machinery, on Gatez Farms.

“Olds College is an industry leader in precision agriculture technology. Having the chance to assist the college in expanding its reach into other locations while teaching and mentoring the farmers of the future is very rewarding,” Blaine, who is an Olds College alumnus, says.

Another partnership sees Gatez Farms working with Syngenta

as a trial farm for their canola Pelta seed technology (in cooperation with Väderstad and Canterra Seeds).

“Pelta is a seed pelleting technology that enhances farming management decisions by ensuring precise seeding rates, resulting in uniform plant growth, maturity and water distribution. This technology promotes sustainable farming by optimizing yield potential while minimizing costs,” Blaine explains. “This is another important relationship because it aligns with our goal of farming being a strong solution for sustainability and hands-on empowerment in regions where food is scarce. With these advances, food-insecure regions can not only gain food security, they can grow an agriculture industry that benefits the entire region economically as well.”

Partnering with a seed-focused corporation was a natural fit for Blaine, who is also a former Monsanto sales representative. Being able to offer premium Syngenta seed treatment helps crops resist foliar disease and increases yield by more than 10 per cent. For these and other reasons, Synergy barley seed won a product of the year award in 2022.

Grow Hope is another important collaboration for Gatez Farms. Not only does Grow Hope help feed the world, it also grows vital conversations and connections among non-ag industries. It all comes back to that vitally important word:

Family and community relationships are paramount to the success built up by Gaetz Farms

partnerships. Without partnerships, growth does not happen and when it comes to something as important as agriculture and food security, the Gatez family will do all they can to grow those conversations. Grow Hope empowers them to do that in the field, in communities, in schools and in boardrooms across the nation.

Grow Hope is a charity that invites individuals or companies to sponsor one acre of land for $350. That land is taken care of and farmed by professionals who manage, harvest and market it, multiplying that initial investment many times over. Sponsored acres have the opportunity to be matched by the federal government at a ratio of up to 4:1, further increasing the physical and economic yield. Every acre and every dollar grown through Grow Hope takes a bite out of global food scarcity.

“An important aspect for me,” says Blaine, “is that most of the donors are urban. The investment ($350) covers some variable costs (although not the hard costs) of farming the acre. It also buys them some input and a vested interest, meaning they learn more about how ag improves lives locally and abroad. Grow Hope provides a platform to share the story of ag in a tangible way and to engage groups that may be disconnected from the land.”

That disconnection is alarming.

According to Blaine, a very small percentage of farmers support a very large and growing population. The numbers back him up. While facts and figures vary among research papers and reports, they all point to one thing: the burden of feeding the many – ethically, sustainably and responsibly – rests on the shoulders of a few. And those “few” are largely small and medium-sized stakeholder farms, not massive entities.

“Grow Hope,” Blaine says, “helps get the message of the value of ag from a few to the many that need to hear it. It allows those outside the industry to invest in tangible ways, to learn and to become advocates for the values of farming principles in every industry. Just like how roots grow and spread, Grow Hope literally plants ideas and those small seeds grow to create a major world impact. This is why working alongside Grow Hope is important to Gatez Farms. It really helps us further our mission.”

The Gatez family has always thought outside the proverbial box but one recent thing Blaine did went very – very – outside of the norm.

It started when Blaine and his wife were reflecting on the farm and its goals, while also reflecting on a dear family member who had recently suffered heart trouble. The wheels started to turn.

What if, they mused, a person in a leading position at Gatez Farms were to suddenly fall ill or pass away? Was the foundation

Blaine’s grandson Hudson greatly enjoys life on the farm

built over so many years strong enough to keep the farm going in lockstep with its values? Well … there was one way to find out. Blaine gave himself a fake heart attack.

Now, this wasn’t a plan to scare or deceive the team. Plenty of work was done beforehand to let each member, along with suppliers, vendors and stakeholders, know what was about to happen. When everyone was informed, Blaine dropped out of the picture for a couple of weeks. Suddenly, it was everyone for themselves.

“This exercise was among the best decisions we ever made,” Blaine recounts after the fact. “The focus went from tunnel vision to a much greater understanding of the business and the decisions that must be made on a daily basis. That kind of trusting initiative allowed each family and team member to step up and show their strength while encouraging them to reach out and grow even stronger connections among themselves and with all of our partners. It was unconventional and at times emotional, but it made us all stronger.”

This is just a small snapshot of how partnerships have always been – and will always be – the heart and soul of Gatez Farms and how the values and mission of the corporation are a part of every single aspect of the operations, every single day. The mission takes them into classrooms, boardrooms, homes and other farms daily; but, you will always find that the roots of their ideals stem from how they operate the farm. True honesty and integrity are what take place when nobody is looking. So, let’s

take a final peek past the trellis and see one more example of how Gatez Farms’ humble actions add up to big results.

The farm has many long-term employees. They built a life with Gatez Farms that supports their own families. As employees age, along with time comes less agility and stamina. At this point, many such employees are transitioned to desk jobs or encouraged to retire … but not on Gatez Farms.

“We purchase machinery for our aging and respected harvest operators. The choice of a certain make and style of combine is directly related to keeping my older staff in the seats as long as they wish, while operating safely and efficiently, without compromising their self-confidence to do the work they have done all their lives.”

That’s the thing about running a corporate farm based on the values of honesty, integrity and partnerships. You don’t build something for yourself, you build something for your family, the team, the community, the nation and the world. Nothing can stop the growth of an organization built on such a strong foundation. Not a challenging economic climate, not the principal’s heart attack, not a disconnection between people and the land. Corporations like Gatez Farms thrive because each layer is built up by the generation before so that one seed, one plant, one idea at a time, grows into a sustainable harvest that is enjoyed around the world.

Learn more about Gatez Farms, its mission and values and how you can be a part of the change by visiting gatezfarms.com.

Blaine prioritizes the foundation of the farm to ensure its long lasting success, even once going so far as to stage a health-related absence.

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Showcasing the “How” Behind AgTech and Data

In an era of rapid technological advancements, the agricultural sector is undergoing a transformative shift. The integration of data and technology has the potential to revolutionize farming practices, improve productivity and ensure sustainable food production to meet the needs of a growing global population.

Recognizing the need for education that demonstrates the practicality of integrating technology into farming practices, Olds College of Agriculture & Technology collaborated with industry stakeholders to create AgSmart; a two-day educational expo focused on data and technology across the agriculture sector.

The expo is designed to empower farmers, researchers and industry professionals with knowledge and tools to embrace cutting-edge innovations. With its education-intensive sessions, technical hands-on components, field scale demonstrations, crop plots and interactive exhibits, AgSmart provides a platform to showcase Olds College’s Smart Farm, Technology Access Centre for Livestock Production and Field Crop Development Centre (FCDC).

Education-Intensive Sessions:

AgSmart recognizes the importance of knowledge transfer by offering a wide range of comprehensive educational sessions. Experts and industry leaders share insights on the latest trends, challenges and opportunities in the field of agricultural technology. These sessions promote learning but also facilitate a deeper understanding of the potential applications of data-driven solutions in farming practices. From precision agriculture and remote sensing to machine learning and livestock innovations, AgSmart equips attendees with the necessary expertise to effectively leverage the power of data for informed decision-making within their current farming

operations. The sessions cater to both crop-related and livestock focus areas.

Field Scale Demonstrations:

AgSmart’s field scale demonstrations provide farmers and industry with real-world examples of how data and technology can optimize crop management and increase yields. By showcasing advanced sensors, drones and autonomous machinery in action, participants witness first-hand the viability and effectiveness of different solutions in a practical setting. These demonstrations offer a unique opportunity to evaluate the potential benefits of integrating these technologies into their own farming practices.

Crop Plots:

The crop plots at AgSmart serve as living laboratories, exhibiting various agronomic practices and variety innovations. These plots offer farmers a tangible representation of how data and technology can enhance crop performance and sustainability. By observing different techniques in action, farmers gain valuable insight on how to improve their resource application, mitigate environmental impact and enhance overall crop health.

Interactive Exhibits:

With over 100 interactive exhibits, AgSmart offers participants an immersive experience, allowing them to actively interact with a diverse range of agricultural technologies. Attendees have the opportunity to explore innovations such as grain drying technology, experiment with sensor technology and learn about the latest advancements in farm management software. These interactive exhibits create a dynamic environment that fuels curiosity and promotes collaboration among industry professionals, researchers and farmers.

Experience AgSmart first-hand on August 1 and 2 on the south portion of the Olds College campus. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to explore the latest in agricultural technology. Secure your tickets starting at $40, plus applicable fees. Visit AgSmartOlds.ca to purchase tickets and check out the complete schedule.

With over 100 interactive exhibits, AgSmart offers participants an immersive experience, allowing them to actively interact with a diverse range of agricultural technologies.

Special Events at AgSmart

All AgSmart tickets include access to a variety of special events throughout the expo! All events are in the Food & Beverage area, except where noted.

AUGUST 1

Morning Coffee powered by ATB

8:30 am

Kick off your morning with a cup of coffee and a snack, so that you’re fueled and set for the day!

Afternoon Break presented by Alberta Wheat

2:00 pm

Cool off with a treat and visit with our friends from Alberta Wheat.

The Social powered by ATB

4:30- 6:00 pm

Join us for a networking opportunity which includes live entertainment. This event is open, for all attendees and exhibitors.

AUGUST 2

Morning Coffee presented by Dentons LLP

8:30 am

Start your day cultivating connections over coffee.

FCDC 50th Anniversary Celebration

Noon

Join us at the FCDC tent to celebrate 50 years of variety innovation with cupcakes sponsored by SeCan

For a complete schedule, visit AgSmartOlds.ca

Day 1 - August 1 Educational Sessions

a.m. Gates Open - Exhibits & Morning Coffee powered by ATB

9:15 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. Machine Learning & Artificial Intelligence: New Instruments to Support Agronomy

Dr. Alex Melnitchouck, Olds College of Agriculture & Technology

Smart Farms & the Power of a Smart Farm Network

Pan Canadian Smart Farm Network

10 a.m. - 11 a.m. Exhibits & Travel to Next Session

Predictive Mapping of Agricultural Soil Carbon with Machine Learning Algorithms

Tahmid Huq Easher, Olds College of Agriculture & Technology

N2Woah - Estimating Nitrous Oxide Emissions

Abby Sim, Olds College of Agriculture & Technology

10:00 a.m. - 11 a.m. Olds College Partner of the Year Announcement - Tent 1

11 a.m. Olds College Smart Farm Tour (Limited spots available) - Olds College Tent

11 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. Exploring Soil Moisture Measurements and Their Applicability to AFSC Forage Insurance Products with Remote Sensing

Daniel Stefner, Olds College of Agriculture & Technology & Russell Shuttleworth, AFSC

Regenerative Agriculture: The Alberta Opportunity

PrairiesCan Panel

Precision Spraying Technology for Weed Management: What We Learned

Shabeg Briar, Olds College of Agriculture & Technology

Carbon, Carbon Everywhere….but what about the sinks!

Dr. Joy Agnew, Olds College of Agriculture & Technology & Josh Bourassa, The Simpson Centre for Agricultural and Food Policy

Weedy Look-Alike

Christine Fulkerth, Olds College of Agriculture & Technology

Cultivating Growth: Overcoming Obstacles in Ag Deals

Heather A. Barnhouse, Dentons Canada LLP

11:45 a.m. - 1:15 p.m. Lunch, Networking & Exhibits

1 p.m. Olds College Smart Farm Tour (Limited spots available) - Olds College Tent

1:15 p.m. - 2 p.m. From Pitch to Partnership: Navigating the AgTech Landscape for Startups

John Cassidy, SVG Ventures I THRIVE

Autonomous Agricultural Equipment Evaluation For Broad-Acre Crop Production

Sofia Bahmutsky & Roy Maki, Olds College of Agriculture & Technology

Leveraging AI in Agriculture

Rob Saik, AGvisorPRO

Farm Data Readiness

Andrew Van Os & Jaxon Desautels, MNP

2 p.m. - 3 p.m. Exhibits & Afternoon Break presented by Alberta Wheat

3 p.m. Olds College Smart Farm Tour (Limited spots available) - Olds College Tent

3 p.m. - 3:45 p.m. Preventing Burnout

Megz Reynolds, The Do More Ag Foundation

Unleashing the Power of AgTech in Mexico & Beyond - A Trade Commissioner Service

Global Affairs Panel

3:45 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Networking, Exhibits

4:30 p.m. Gates Close

Understanding Your Data & Its Uses

Janelle Wells, AgExpert

Igniting Your Legacy Through Long Term Planning

Powered by ATB

Optimizing Rotational Grazing: Exploring Satellite Imaging and Rising Plate Meters

Laio Silva Sobrinho, Olds College of Agriculture & Technology

Using Metabolomics to Improve Sheep Feed Efficiency & Reduce Impact of Parasite Infection

Dr Yaogeng Lei, Olds College of Agriculture & Technology

4:30 p.m. - 6 p.m. Networking Event - The Social powered by ATB

Schedule subject to change, visit AgSmartOld.ca/schedule

Schedule subject to change

Day 2 - August 2 Educational Sessions

8:30 a.m. Gates Open - Exhibits & Morning Coffee presented by Dentons Canada LLP

9:15 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. Livestock & Carbon in Agriculture Panel Conversation

Growing Profits: Unlocking Farm Potential with Data-Driven Risk Management Models

Stephanie Rempe, Algo-Rythmn Corp.

10 a.m. - 11 a.m. Exhibits & Travel to Next Session

Igniting Your Legacy Through Long Term Planning

Powered by ATB

10:15 a.m. - 11 a.m . Olds College & NuFarm Annoucement at Hosting Tent

11 a.m. Olds College Smart Farm Tour (Limited spots available) - Olds College Tent

11 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. Local Action to Global Impact: Building Sustainable AgriFood Solutions

SVG Ventures I THRIVE

11:45 a.m. - 1:15 p.m. Lunch, Networking & Exhibits

Maximizing the Value of Your Data

Brent Nicol & Tyler Clowes, Brandt Tractor

12 p.m. FCDC 50th Anniversary Cupcakes presented by SeCan

Enhanced Satellite Data Brings Value to Agriculture

Joshua Billson & Karansinh Padhiar, University of Alberta

1 p.m. Olds College Smart Farm Tour (Limited spots available) - Olds College Tent 1:15 p.m. - 2 p.m.

AB/NWT Outstanding Young Farmers Nominee Presentations

Understanding Your Data & Its Uses

Janelle Wells, AgExpert

Update for the "On-farm Livestock Water Remediation Using Native Wetland Plants & Alberta Cold Climate Floating Island Technology"

Making Every Bite Count: Utilizing Technology to Make Cost Effective Decisions

Darrell Hickman, Trouw Nutrition

The Growth Potential of Triticale in Western Canada

Mazen Aljarrah, FCDC

Legal Considerations for Agriculture Technology Data & Transparency

Heather A. Barnhouse, Dentons Canada LLP

Next Generation Feed & Forage Barley for Western Canada

Yadeta Kabeta & Jennifer Zantinge, FCDC

Session TBC Advancement & Opportunities with New Malt Barley Varieties

Yadeta Kabeta & Lori Oatway, FCDC 2 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Exhibits & Travel to Next Session

Dr. Dan Karran, Olds College of Agriculture & Technology

3 p.m. Olds College Smart Farm Tour (Limited spots available) - Olds College Tent

3:00 p.m. - 3:45 p.m. Confirmed Time:Soil Mapping for Precision Agriculture

Dr. Adamchuk & Felippe Karp, McGill University

The Value of Digital Tools in Enhancing Farm Relationships and Connecting the Ag Ecosystem

Panel Conversation

3:45 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Networking & Exhibits

4:30 p.m. Gates Close

Connectivity in a Rural Setting

Chris Ouellette, Olds College of Agriculture & Technology

Growing Innovators in Canada Mac Hunik, Threshold UAV & Lorna Baird, Olds College of Agriculture & Technology

Building an AI for Livestock MonitoringOvercoming Challenges

Mokah & Geoffrey Shmigelsky, OneCup AI

Schedule subject to change, visit AgSmartOld.ca/schedule

Schedule subject to change

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Advancing Canada’s Agriculture Industry

As technology continues to influence the way we live, work and farm, smart farms and technology development have a critical role to play in the global grand challenge of feeding a growing population with fewer resources while reducing the environmental impact.

Olds College of Agriculture & Technology — one of Canada’s Top 10 Research Colleges — is known for high-tech, hands-on agriculture education and innovative applied research that lays the foundation for solving real-world problems in farming, food and land. The Olds College Smart Ag Ecosystem is accelerating the progress and innovation needed to grow Canada’s ag industry — and the Olds College Smart Farm is at the heart of it all.

The Smart Farm has grown to 3,600 acres of farmland, infrastructure, and staff who are experienced in ag tech research and development. Olds College Centre for Innovation (OCCI) is the applied research division of the College focusing on practical, industry-driven applied research on the Smart Farm that can be easily implemented by the agriculture industry.

Industry partners connect with OCCI for support in the development and testing of innovative products in the core areas of crop production, livestock production, environmental stewardship, cereal breeding, technology integration, and data science/utilization.

The ability to develop, validate, and test products using technology and applied research in real agriculture settings continues to bring new projects to the Smart Farm.

LI-COR Chambers

The Smart Farm recently installed eight LI-COR chambers on Field 2W on the Smart Farm to monitor nitrous oxide emissions this growing season. Nitrous oxide is a greenhouse gas, and OCCI researchers are using the chambers throughout the 2023 growing season to measure emissions from the soil.

The chambers are on a continuous automated cycle where one chamber seals for two minutes and the captured gases are moved into an analyzer. The cycle continues where the next chamber then closes for the collection of gases. The trace gas analyzer is in the field powered by a solar panel to measure both nitrous oxide (N2O) and water vapour (H2O). The eight chambers were initially installed in May 2023 to collect baseline data collection in the field before seeding, and then will be reinstalled after seeding to monitor emissions throughout the growing season.

Drones on the Smart Farm

Drones provide support to applied research activities across the 3,600 acre Smart Farm. Using precise GPS coordinates, drones can return to the exact same location over various

periods of time for data collection and comparison. Drones help the research team map crop plots to create accurate plot locations, track progress for specific projects, and are used in scouting to complement existing ground-based methods.

Drones are also used for tracking crop growth parameters such as crop height estimations, vegetation health mapping and thermal images to identify potential moisture stress. Drones can estimate biomass to determine the accuracy and viability of using drone and satellite imagery to estimate pasture and hay yield — which could increase on-farm production efficiency and help monitor rotational grazing applications. Drones are flown after weed emergence in the spring before crop emergence for multi-year research trials to identify weeds and help evaluate different types of weed management strategies. They are also used to perform crop lodging assessments to help identify damaged areas of crops in the field.

WE’LL MAKE A DIFFERENCE TOGETHER.

At AFSC, we recognize that the key to our success is our people. As we develop and nurture our reputation as a great place to work, we are always looking for skilled individuals who genuinely care about the agriculture industry to join our team.

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TURN THIS YEAR’S DATA INTO NEXT YEAR’S RESULTS

The Brandt Precision Ag team will work with you to determine where you are in the Data Journey, clarify your operation’s goals and understand how to use Precision Ag products and services to achieve the best results.

Ask us about our Collect, Insight and Weather packages. Visit us online at: more.brandt.ca/john-deere

Autonomous Agriculture Equipment

The Smart Farm started the 2023 growing season with a brand new Raven OMNiPOWER™ 3200 platform — a gift-in-kind from Raven Industries, Inc. — utilizing technology and equipment to farm more efficiently. The research team uses OMNiPOWER for significant seeding, spraying and spreading duties on the Smart Farm. Using the OMNiPOWER 3200, researchers are planning to get an increased amount of acreage coverage, expand data collection to further improve efficiencies with autonomous equipment and map cellular connectivity in real time.

Raven also loaned Olds College a 2020 OMNiPOWER with a Seedmaster 30-foot air seeder implement for the 2023 seeding season. This allowed researchers the opportunity to operate both the OMNiPOWER 3200 and the 2020 OMNiPOWER at the same time in the same field on the Smart Farm. The learnings and data collection from this opportunity is game-changing for autonomous operations.

Floating Island Technology

Researchers continue to evaluate the economic and environmental benefits of using native wetland plants and floating island technology to treat feedlot runoff water. The Floating Island Technology for Livestock Water Remediation project is now in its third phase of research which includes evaluating floating islands on feedlot runoff ponds to study real-world implications.

In September 2022, fifty-five floating islands were launched between two feedlot ponds at producer sites Klassen Agriventures Ltd. and Penridge Feeders Inc. and will be closely monitored for two years. Researchers are evaluating the feedlot runoff ponds with floating islands installed, as well as two control feedlot ponds without islands to provide continual baseline data of how ponds are performing with and without the technology.

Pan-Canadian Smart Farm Network

The Pan-Canadian Smart Farm Network — led by Olds College — is a network of Smart Farms committed to sharing data and expertise that will help farmers, industry and developers better understand, use and develop smart ag technologies.

Network members are conducting a second year of research to compare data collected from weather sensors inside and outside of the crop boundary to produce multiple data sets for analysis, and evaluating how disease development varies within each zone. The data collection includes measurements such as air temperature, relative humidity, precipitation, global radiation, wind speed and temperature, soil moisture, plant growth, and disease scouting. This will provide producers with improved accuracy of localized weather data, and determine if the data received within management zones can help them make informed farm management decisions.

Visit Olds College and the Smart Farm on Aug. 1 and 2, 2023 during AgSmart. This must-see educational expo is produced by Olds College and focuses on data and technology across the agriculture industry — how to gather it, how to use it and how it benefits producers.

AgSmart features educational sessions from industry experts about technology and data in the ag industry, demonstrations from drones to autonomous equipment, and exhibits focused on ag tech products and services. Join a Smart Farm tour during AgSmart to see how research projects are integrated into the farming operations to help producers make informed decisions about implementing technology in their own operations.

THANK

YOU

FIELD DAY @ AgSmart

AUGUST 1 & 2, 2023

Join us on August 2, 2023 at the Olds College Smart Farm for the Field Crop Development Centre (FCDC) Field Day, in collaboration with AgSmart the premier educational expo dedicated to data and technology in agriculture. Experience the world of groundbreaking research and industry collaboration as you delve into the limitless opportunities presented by AgSmart.

With a rich heritage spanning back to the 1970s, FCDC has been at the forefront of agricultural advancements in Alberta. Today, in collaboration with Olds College of Agriculture & Technology, FCDC continues to lead the way in cereal breeding. Our research center in Lacombe, Alberta, serves as the hub of innovation, while our off-station sites in Olds, Trochu, and Morrin enable us to explore diverse agricultural environments.

FCDC’s primary focus lies in the development of high-yielding barley and triticale varieties. Through meticulous breeding programs, we strive to create crops with enhanced disease and lodging resistance. Our ultimate goals are to improve the nutritional profiles of feed and forage barley and triticale, as well as meet the quality demands of the malting, brewing, and distilling industries.

To learn more about FCDC’s significant contributions to the agricultural sector, visit oldscollege.ca/FieldDay

Presented by Alberta Barley

JOINUS

Autonomous Farming Gains Traction

By Lisa Kopochinski

Within the last five to 10 years, tremendous technological advancements have been made that have brought new levels of precision and efficiency to the farm.

John Deere go-to-market manager Christopher Murray says farmers are constantly challenged to provide a growing global population with the resources needed to feed, clothe and fuel the world.

“Not only are farmers challenged to do this sustainably, but they’re also forced to do it with less available skilled labour. Autonomous machines help solve this problem and can operate 24 hours a day, stopping only to be refilled with fuel. Autonomous machines can help producers cover more acres in less time. And, best of all, while their autonomous tractor is working in the field, they can perform other tasks on the farm or spend more time with what matters to them.”

Additionally, autonomy provides customers with significant opportunities to improve productivity and profitability. So, it’s little surprise that farmers are ready and excited to leverage automation and autonomy as there is no shortage of work –and no shortage of people who need food on their plates.

“More farmers than ever are using guidance systems such as AutoTrac, AutoPath and AutoTrac Turn Automation on their machines,” says Murray. “And, in the past year, we have

brought a fully autonomous tractor/tillage solution to the market for farmers.”

Main Benefits

Ben Voss, director of sales at Raven Industries, agrees. He reinforces the biggest benefit of autonomous farming is the increase in productivity, which helps farmers navigate labour constraints.

“The biggest benefit is the increase in productivity per human. Labour dependency reduces. The main reason we are striving for autonomy is that, frankly, we are out of workers. We need to use more autonomous machinery if we want to be able to farm at the same scale we do today. I feel this is more about holding the line than doing more. We just need the technology to help us replace the labour we can’t find.”

With significant advancements in autonomy technology for farm machinery as the top priority, Voss says progress is accelerated partially due to some of the work happening in the automotive sector.

“LiDAR, camera technology, GPS steering systems are all making huge leaps thanks in part to the cost of the technology coming down overall.”

The last decade has definitely seen the advancement of artificial

Automation has occurred in most sectors today and the farming industry is certainly no exception

DIGITAL

TECH

intelligence (AI) algorithms being capable of recognizing images (video and photos). Computer power capable of supporting AI is also seeing huge leaps, making it possible to afford powerful computers in mobile settings.

“All of this combines to enable a tech stack that can operate a tractor or other self-propelled farm machine run autonomously,” Voss adds. “I still think we are a few years away from all of this being fully reliable and stable, but we are very close. When I say “we,” I mean the whole ag-tech industry.”

Roy Maki is research project manager for Smart Agriculture at Olds College of Agriculture and Technology and is leading the college’s autonomous agriculture equipment initiative for broadacre crop production. He says autonomous farming is advantageous when consistent operations such as optimum turning speed and path at headlands can be repeated indefinitely in an efficient manner.

“When compared to non-autonomous operations, operator habits will vary from person to person depending on experience and can cumulatively add to extra time and resources used. Autonomy can also deliver the operator or farm manager free time periods where they are unencumbered to perform other necessary tasks instead of operating equipment.”

There are specific areas in the country where autonomous farming equipment is more prevalent. Intensive non-broadacres such as orchard, vegetable or fruit crop farming have more prevalence of autonomy. Automation in weeding, fruit picking and row crop cultivation is also becoming increasingly common.

What’s New?

As for the latest in autonomous farm equipment, Murray says the John Deere 8R 410 Tractor 2430 Chisel Plow with

Mental health isn’t something we talk about. to ignore

It’s time to start changing the way we talk about farmers and farming.

To recognize that just like anyone else, sometimes we might need a little help dealing with issues like stress, anxiety, and depression. That’s why the Do More Agriculture Foundation is here, ready to provide access to mental health resources like counselling, training and education, tailored specifically to the needs of Canadian farmers and their families.

autonomous technology and capabilities was revealed for the first time at CES in January 2022.

“Availability to a larger group of dealers and customers will be available in the future. We intentionally limited production model autonomous 8R Tractors to ensure the highest level of quality possible is achieved from the start as we begin to lay the foundation of autonomy on the farm.”

The autonomous solution John Deere currently offers is an 8R 410 Tractor paired with the 2430 Chisel Plow or 2660VT equipped with TruSet technology for precise, on-the-go depth and down pressure control. This autonomous solution is currently only available in the U.S.

“Additional units will be made available to a larger group of dealers and customers in the future,” Murray adds. “Our job is to develop the technology and tools farmers need to be successful and create technology based on their needs. There’s a long way to go, but the opportunity is great.”

At Raven Industries, Voss says their OmniPower 3200 is a platform used to allow development of the most advanced driverless autonomy operations in broadacre grain farming. Capable of seeding, spraying and spreading with three interchangeable implements, it allows an advanced developer or researcher to build the necessary tools to adapt a farm to use autonomous machinery.

The Raven team continues to use the OmniPower 3200 to develop tech stacks that ultimately accelerate accessible autonomy platforms to market. Most recently, the platform assisted in the development of the Case IH Trident™ 5550 applicator with Raven Autonomy™ showcasing an iteration of the autonomous spreading tech stack on a user-friendly platform. Raven plans to use OmniPower 3200 to help rapidly innovate driverless solutions on multiple machine platforms from CNH Industrial and other providers.

And that’s why we’re so proud to support Agsmart, Olds College and the latest innovations in Canadian agriculture

Like you, we believe success is built on hard work and strong communities.

AUTOMATION | AUTONOMOUS FARMING GAINS TRACTION

“A farm needs to implement all the digital tools of Raven that enable the farming operation to be planned ahead of time (mission) and then launch that mission on the autonomous machine,” explains Voss.

“Connectivity and constant monitoring are required, but because it has no cab, it has to run autonomously for all of its operations. Today, we only provide OmniPower 3200 to a select group of partners for development activities. However, it is the only fully autonomous purpose-built platform available to conduct broadacre farming operations at a productive level for multiple purposes.”

Voss adds that Raven Industries delivered their new model in early April to Olds College, which was met with a thrilling response.

“They have a commercial-scale farm as part of their college to conduct training, research and teaching within that farm, rather than the typical plot or micro level. They were one of the very first partners to use OmniPower, so providing them an OmniPower 3200 was logical considering how advanced they are as an end user. The new 3200 will allow them to continue to further advance their research activities and train the next generation of agriculture workers.”

The Near Future

As for what the next three to five years hold, Voss believes we will see some surprising places where new advanced automation will

allow less experienced farm workers to remain productive.

“This is a step on the ‘path to autonomy’ we call operator assisted. It’s a level where most of the autonomy technology is there, but someone is still in the cab to help in the odd situation. It will allow people who don’t have the farm background to become farm workers and still be effective.”

At John Deere, Murray says the company has a goal by 2030 to offer farmers a fully autonomous corn and soybean production system.

“Tractor cabs aren’t going away any time soon as some farmers may not see the value in an autonomous solution on their farm; and some jobs we won’t initially make autonomous. A farmer could use their autonomous tractor and tillage solution in the field in the spring or fall so they can focus on doing other tasks, but still be able to get in the cab and perform other jobs on the farm.”

Olds College’s Maki adds that as technology advances, the industry will see progress into full autonomy in a few select operations.

“Broadacre spraying, spreading and land rolling could be the first and easiest field operations to automize followed by more complex operations such as seeding and harvesting. Advances will also be limited by other factors such as a lack of legislation and safety regulations regarding autonomy on the farm, and the lack of widespread provision of adequate cellular connectivity quality.”

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Need a better way to manage used grain bags and baler twine?

Recycle them!

Cleanfarms operates the Alberta Ag-Plastic. Recycle It! pilot program to help Alberta farmers improve sustainability by recycling baler twine and grain bags.

Recycle Grain Bags

Roll – roll tightly with a mechanical grain bag roller or old hay baler, secure with twine. Contact local collection site or municipality to ask if a roller is available.

Return – contact pilot collection site prior to dropping off material for rolling/drop off information.

Recycle Baler Twine

Bag – get a free recycling bag from a participating collection site and fill with used plastic baler twine. Return – close top of bag and bring back to the collection site.

• For more about Alberta Ag-Plastic. Recycle It! – go to AlbertaAgPlastics.ca

• To see what other ag materials Cleanfarms recycles, go to Cleanfarms.ca

info@cleanfarms.ca @cleanfarms