Alberta-based research into “smart farming” is helping farmers prepare for the challenges of the future.

Dr. Keshav Singh, a specialist in smart farming technologies at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) Lethbridge, focuses on tools that enable farmers to make data-driven decisions. These tools optimize efficiency and improve productivity on farms.

Singh is also an expert in phenomics, which involves studying how plants respond to various environmental factors, including drought conditions. By using advanced technologies, such as airborne drones, farmers can more precisely manage things like nitrogen injection and herbicide application.

Simply put, Singh explains, smart farming moves away from traditional “pen and paper” methods, relying instead on AI-driven data.

“Smart sensors collect data in real-time,” says Singh. “The data is processed through AI models, which predict solutions for farmers. This gives them science-based answers, rather than subjective ones.”

Some of the digital equipment, including an aerial drone and ground robot with a high-precision GPS base station, used by the team. (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada)

With drought conditions becoming more frequent across Alberta, Singh believes smart farming can help determine which plant genotypes perform best under current conditions. Real-time data collection can also save farmers both time and money.

Singh and his team are developing advanced smart farming systems using a variety of energy sources, such as optical and infrared light, thermal, and laser technologies. Their work is focused on creating scalable phenomics data pipelines and utilizing high-performance computing to turn raw data into actionable insights—such as identifying desirable plant traits.

Dr. Singh’s team continues to work with researchers from Lethbridge, Lacombe, Saskatoon, Swift Current, Morden, Brandon, and Ottawa to leverage these advanced tools and data management methodologies to foster climate-resilient, high-yielding varieties.

AAFC operates the Lethbridge Research and Development Centre (Lethbridge RDC), one of the largest facilities in its network of 20 research and development centres. Established in 1906, the Lethbridge RDC continues to play a pivotal role in Canadian agricultural research.

The wheat on the left and right show lodging characteristics. Weak stems are a phenotypic trait breeders aim to avoid. (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada)