Grainswest - Tech 2026

Tech 2026 grainswest.com 31 Grace Ehoche is a breeding software professional with Agronomix, a plant breeding software company based in Winnipeg, MB. Its products include Genovix, a platform that tracks complex genetic data and breeding activities. Agronomix partnered with AbacusBio to create predictive breeding capabilities for software that models genetic data. It assesses which parent plants will produce offspring with desired characteristics. This genomic evaluation pipeline can help breeders accelerate the breeding cycle and improve results. “The goal was to improve our software to deliver more to breeders and researchers,” said Ehoche. “Sometimes it’s a rush to the finish line with a new product, and whoever gets there first controls the whole market.” INSIGHT AND DIRECTION As theoretical possibilities open, AbacusBio clients wish to leverage AI. “Some of them simply ask, ‘Is this the direction we want to go?’ We try to help them answer that question,” said Howes. Streams of image and sensor data potentially give companies insight they can act upon to deliver profit. In crop breeding, this may include creation of new germplasm and the assignment of new varieties to geographic environments. “We’re also learning as we go,” said Howes. “It’s safe to say no one’s really the expert in applying it in agriculture yet.” An example of machine learning and AI in action, Crowley noted CT scans are used in New Zealand to analyze the body composition of livestock for economically relevant traits. This data on physical characteristics is lined up against genetic information without having to slaughter the animal. While the company’s central service is the design of breeding programs, it also does custom app design. DTreo is its customizable platform for farmers and breeders. It manages breeding data and operations. Initially created for an agricultural development project, it has been used around the world to assist smallholder farmers with limited connectivity and access to technology. With it, they can use a smart device to track on-farmmetrics such as animal growth, vaccinations and pedigree and contribute to strengthening the supply chain. “It can support decision-making in the supply chain, having that flow of data where data never existed before,” said Howes. Though it was created for use in developing nations, it is also used in large, advanced farm systems. An app developed for JBS Foods, a large Australian meat products manufacturer, allows that company to make decisions about livestock genetics within its supply chain. In co-operation with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and Impact Canada, AbacusBio is also developing an app to rank beef sires based on their carbon mitigation potential. It has additionally developed many apps for its internal use to build breeding programs and evaluate genetics. The company also assesses emerging technologies for clients looking to fund the development of a product, commercialize an existing one or develop one from scratch. For example, AbacusBio worked with Olds College to assess the use of floating “islands” of vegetation to treat feedlot wastewater. Often, technology developers struggle with farmer adoption. Analysis can also determine how and why a farmer might use the technology and whether it will produce profit or make their work easier. In other instances, organizations require independent appraisal of their investment in technologies, systems and strategies. Especially in the realm of genetics, said Howes, ROI can be tricky to quantify. A tangible benefit such as time saved or an intangible positive such as reduction of a farmer’s stress can juice the bottom line more than is expected. On the other hand, the numbers may suggest a change of processes. “It’s often about what the consumer wants, then also what’s possible on the farm,” said Howes. He noted, for instance, consumer preference as relates to meat quality. “How can we breed that within the confines of the farming system? Often, we find that compromise to ensure the consumer gets what they want and the farmer remains profitable.” The Alberta Pulse project, in part, dealt with this. “Protein in that commodity is fiercely important to its marketability, yet farmers don’t get paid for it,” said Crowley. Yield shrinks when the breeder selects for higher protein. “When there’s no dollar signal to the farmer and the breeder, how do you incentivize increased protein in genetic improvement?” Trade- offs must be made. Agriculture has much to gain in such data-driven refinement, and AbacusBio will continue to lead this cutting-edge circus. AbacusBio has assisted corporations and farmer organizations with breeding projects in aquaculture, field crops, forestry, fruit, livestock and vegetables.