Pictured above: A screenshot of the plug-in layered in the FieldTRAKS application. The legend in the bottom left corner provides the level of precipitation (in mm) and allows the user to specify start and end dates and times for the rainfall accumulation map.
FieldTRAKS Solutions is a web-based application that enables users to collect, manage, and report spatial information in order to better understand the conditions of a specific plot of cropland. This information helps agricultural producers, processers, suppliers, crop advisors and farmers analyze and better manage their crop growth.
To improve the capabilities of FieldTRAKS Solutions, Niagara Research, Niagara College’s research and innovation division, is developing innovative plugins for inclusion within the software.
The first is a Growing Degree Day plug-in. For a specific plot of land, the plugin will determine the number of growing degree days a batch of crops has endured through the current growing season. In knowing this, the software can estimate the number of days before crop maturity. Currently, the research team is in the midst of developing the plugin.
Secondly, the research team is developing a Precipitation Accumulation plugin. It will enable the software to display the amount of precipitation a specific plot of land has received over a desired timeframe that can range from minutes to months. In knowing this information, farmers can gain insight into irrigation schedules and mitigate their input costs. The plugin is currently in the final testing phase.
Brendan Spearin, a current GIS – Geospatial Management graduate student, is working as a volunteer consultant for Niagara Research on a supplementary course-based research project. He is exploring an additional opportunity stemming from the creation of the Precipitation Accumulation plugin. In using data collected through the plugin, Brendan is working towards modelling hydrology and erosion in real-time. This will add to the plethora of useful information farmers will have access to through FieldTRAKS Solutions. Brendan is conducting this research under the guidance of Senior Research Associate Sarah Lepp, and Mike Duncan: NSERC’s Industrial Research Chair in Precision Agriculture and Environmental Technologies.
This and other fascinating applied research projects in Precision Agriculture & Environmental Technologies will be featured in an upcoming Speaker Series event hosted by Niagara Research. On November 26, from 1:30-2:30 p.m. in W212 (NOTL Campus), the research team will delve into detail on the project with FieldTRAKS and other current projects. For example, the team will discuss their progress in the development of the “WineHawk”; a small mechanical airplane capable of flying a programmed flight path and using laser technologies to collect geomorphological data.
Niagara College is a leader in innovation and applied research. Niagara Research, its Research and Innovation division, supports collaborative research projects in various disciplines that involve product and process applied research, engineering design, technology development, product testing, proof of concept, and piloting and problem solving. Small- and medium-sized businesses (SME’s) can benefit from gaining access to the College’s adept faculty, students, and recent graduates and exploring opportunities for innovation through applied research.
– Submitted by Niagara Research
