Grant: Applied Research Tools and Instruments Grants

Olds College of Agriculture & Technology is requesting equipment to improve efficiency, accuracy, safety, and storage capacity for ongoing and coming Smart Ag Applied research projects. The requested equipment consists of two trailers which are custom outfitted with secure storage for highly sensitive and expensive greenhouse gas (GHG) flux measurement systems. The trailers allow for ease of deployment, improved safety during transportation, secure winter storage, and an on-site workspace during the research period. The trailers are each unique to the particular system they will house and transport as needed. An ultra-low freezer (28.8 cubic feet) will allow for improved storage of the many soil and plant tissue samples taken during the year. Low temperatures will allow for an extended processing time specifically as it relates to analysis of soil and plant tissue, preserving microbial proteins and genetic materials, including enzymes and proteins involved in the soil nutrient cycling. Freezing of the samples immediately after collection prevents the degradation of nucleic acids by enzymes (like DNases and RNases). Many Smart Ag projects require large volumes of grain to be collected and measured. Purchase of a truck-mounted scale with an accuracy of +/- 10 lbs will allow for increased confidence and accuracy of the data collected as the truck with scale can be deployed in the field where the majority of the data collection takes place. The requested LiDARMILL annual subscription will allow for ongoing use of a drone camera providing data for biomass estimation and digital surface maps that are used in different algorithms being developed in projects. Agriculture in Alberta is an $8.1 billion industry. Alberta leads the country in production of livestock and many crops, making significant contributions to Canada’s GDP. The equipment will be used in projects evaluating, demonstrating and validating innovative agriculture technologies, tools and practices that technology developers can bring to market. It supports collaborations with colleges and universities, agricultural producers, commodity organizations, producer-led research entities, government funders and research groups, and businesses of all sizes. The projects generate innovation impacts that enhance the productivity of the agriculture sector, support business growth and development, and bring economic and environmental benefits to the crops and livestock industries, and to Canadians.