HyperLayer Data Collection on the Smart Farm

Felippe Hoffmann Silva Karp, PhD candidate from McGill University, collecting ground data from Field 15/16.

HyperLayer Data Collection on the Smart Farm

Digital farming technologies — machine learning, artificial intelligence and robotics — will play a large role in the future of sustainable agricultural production. However, innovators require comprehensive training datasets (essentially huge collections of data) to build algorithms for data-driven predictions or decisions, but they don’t currently exist. Since Olds College focuses on innovation in the agriculture industry, it eagerly took on the challenge!

Introducing the HyperLayer Data Concept — a process where the Olds College Smart Farm compiles, analyzes, and uses virtually every type of agricultural data to support the development of new technologies for Western Canadian producers. The HyperLayer Data Concept collects data layers with geographical coordinates across the 2,800-acre Smart Farm and stores them in a standardized georeferenced format which allows for quick extraction, easy analysis and data sharing.

For each field on the Smart Farm, there will be multiple layers of data collected — topographical data, detailed soil nutrient and moisture mapping, multispectral and hyperspectral imagery, yield data — for analyzing, developing and validating new technologies, and building next-generation machine learning algorithms. Data collection for the HyperLayer Data Concept started in 2020 and there’s still years of data to collect; it’s the most labour and time-consuming part of this project.

“The Smart Farm has the expertise, technology and capacity to overlay and analyze many layers of geospatial agricultural data that exists in the industry,” explains Dr. Alex Melnitchouck, Chief Technology Officer - Digital Ag at Olds College who is overseeing the technical aspects of the project. “The HyperLayer approach starts with the creation of georeferenced field boundaries, and then layers of data are collected and analyzed within those boundaries. The information is stored in a geospatial database and used for integrated analysis and predictive analytics on an on-going basis.”

Dr. Alex Melnitchouck and Dr. Joy Agnew analyzing data in the Smart Ag Innovation Centre.

The HyperLayer Data Concept allows the College to test smart ag technologies on the Smart Farm and unlock the potential for farmers to make data-driven management decisions on their fields. It’s also providing invaluable work-integrated learning for Olds College students in the Werklund School of Agriculture Technology and Continuing Education — including one PhD candidate from McGill University completing his candidacy at Olds College. These students are gaining valuable experience in data collection, analysis and smart ag technologies to help advance the agriculture industry.

The predictive algorithms built from the HyperLayer data will provide significant environmental benefits, including a reduction of fertilizer use by precisely estimating yield potential and amount of plant-available soil nutrients throughout the field, as well as water use efficiency. Economically, this data will help increase the competitiveness of Canadian agriculture, optimize efficiencies in field work and crop production, and simulate the development of smart ag technologies.

The opportunities for collaboration and partnerships are endless.

BASF Digital Farming commits $300,000 to the HyperLayer Data Concept

BASF Digital Farming announced a $300,000 donation to Olds College as part of its three-year commitment to support the Smart Farm. The donation, made on behalf of the company’s market-leading xarvio® Digital Farming Solutions brand, benefits the HyperLayer Data Concept. “Our collaboration with BASF Digital Farming is a perfect fit,” said Dr. Alex Melnitchouck. “By expanding our network, we can best provide growers with the ability to make informed decisions surrounding their fields, so they can achieve the greatest success possible.”

The College’s HyperLayer Data Concept signals the next generation of digital farming in Canada and aligns with BASF’s commitment to innovation and shaping a sustainable future for farming,” said Kael Briggs, Commercial Manager, xarvio®, BASF Canada Agricultural Solutions. The collection of this previously undiscovered information and the subsequent development of algorithms by xarvio will enable growers to make evidence-based decisions to optimize crop production, improve their bottom line and maximize success.

Through the partnership, xarvio will receive access to data collected from Olds College and its Smart Farm partners, enabling the development and testing of algorithms specific to Western Canada growing conditions. The algorithms will provide significant insight into crop nutrition and weed and disease control on a spatial basis, and support growers in producing better crops.

High-resolution elevation map of Field 15/16 on the Olds College Smart Farm.

Virtual grain yield forecast map created for Field 18 from satellite imagery data and scouting.

“Our collaboration with BASF Digital Farming is a perfect fit,” said Dr. Alex Melnitchouck. “By expanding our network, we can best provide growers with the ability to make informed decisions surrounding their fields, so they can achieve the greatest success possible.”

The collection of this previously undiscovered information and the subsequent development of algorithms by xarvio will enable growers to make evidence-based decisions to optimize crop production, improve their bottom line and maximize success.

CAAIN Contributes $1.4 Million to Data Collection & Validation on the Smart Farm

The Canadian Agri-Food Automation and Intelligence Network (CAAIN) is contributing close to $1.4 million in support of the Hyperlayer Data Concept. CAAIN spurs technological advancement in Canada’s agri-food sector by funding the development of Canadian agricultural innovation, and by building a network of stakeholders interested and involved in the nation’s agri-food industries. These activities will allow Canada to tackle barriers to progress, helping to ensure the long-term sustainability of the businesses and processes responsible for feeding a growing global population. For more information or to join the network, visit CAAIN online at caain.ca or follow them on Twitter and LinkedIn.