Grainswest - Tech 2023

Tech 2023 Grains West 40 BY MELANIE EPP FEATURE Underground upgrade New equipment and fresh data assist push for better soil health SOIL PROBE OFFERS CARBON QUANTIFICATION Until recently, Canada’s growing carbon economy has been missing one key piece of technology: a carbon quantification tool. After all, you can’t reap the benefits of that which you cannot quantify. Montreal-based ChrysaLabs aims to change this with its real-time soil analysis probe. The probe quickly and accurately measures soil health parameters. While it determines nutrient levels it is also a reliable tool to verify nature-based carbon credits. The probe is a real game changer when it comes to soil analysis, claims Guillaume Breton-Ménard, ChrysaLabs chief operations officer. The device combines three patented technologies and uses spectroscopy and electroconductivity technology supported by artificial intelligence and machine learning to deliver real- time reports on 40 soil parameters. Once inserted into an auger-drilled hole in the field, the hand-held probe generates a light-spectrum analysis of the surrounding soil. Its measurements include micro- and macronutrients, pH, organic matter, moisture, organic carbon and cation exchange capacity. The information collected is processed in the cloud. Data is visible to the user via a smartphone or web portal. According to Breton-Ménard, the geo- specific results are available within 20 to 30 seconds. This allows farmers and agronomists to make actionable plans in real time. Gifford Gillette is head of science for Redox Bio-Nutrients at Burley, Idaho. Gillette has used ChrysaLabs soil probe for more than a year. He likes the speed at which he can provide results to his farm clients, but is especially impressed the probe allows the user to more Healthy soil is the foundation of thriving, sustainable grain production. Soil health management is crucial for healthy crop development and also reduces erosion, improves nutrient cycling and maximizes water infiltration. Bettering soil health can even help farmers lower their input costs. With this in mind, agribusinesses and agronomists alike work to provide farmers with the soil knowledge, data and equipment they need to cultivate long-term resiliency.