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Syngenta Crop Challenge finalists use advanced analytics to optimize farmer seed selection

- Contest challenges entrants to apply analytics in novel ways to help farmers predict best seeds to plant

- Finalists will make their presentations at the INFORMS Analytics Conference in April

- Award winning program to be selected after rigorous finalist presentations

 
The Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences (INFORMS®) has selected the competition finalists for the Syngenta Crop Challenge, which tasks participants to develop a model that predicts the seed varieties farmers should plant next season to maximize yield.

The competition aims to address the problem of hunger challenges across the world by fueling innovation among experts in the application of advanced analytics in biochemistry and agriculture.

Syngenta, an award winning company for its innovation in plant analytics, is proud to support this competition sponsored by the Analytics Section of INFORMS. Syngenta, winner of the 2015 Franz Edleman Award, donated the prize money in support of this challenge.

The finalists are:

  • Balancing weather risk and crop yield for soybean variety selection, authored by Bhupesh ShettyLing TongSamuel Burer
  • Soy variety selection to maximize yield and minimize risk based on neural network prediction and portfolio theory, authored by Yu Zhao, Jingsi Huang, Ming Qin
  • The selection of the best soybean varieties for hedging risk of weather uncertainties-a deep learning and heuristic optimization approach, authored by Mark ReesYidong PengJaremy BabilaMike LyonsLily Huang, Yinghan Song, Chun-Yang WeiSusan Arnot
  • Soybean varieties portfolio optimisation based on yield prediction using weighted histograms, authored by Oskar MarkoSanja Brdar, Marko Panic, Predrag Lugonja
  • Decision assist tool for seed variety selection to provide best yield in known soil and uncertain future weather conditions, authored by Nataraju VusirikalaMehul BansalPrathap Siva
  • Hierarchy modeling of soybean variety yield and decision making for future planting plan, authored by Xiaocheng Li, Hyauyang Zhong, David LobellStefano Ermon

These finalists will make their presentations on April 12, 2016, at the INFORMS Analytics Conference in Orlando, Fla. Programs will be evaluated based on the rigor and validity of the process used to determine seed varieties, the quality of the proposed solution and the finalists' ability to clearly articulate the solution and its methodology. The winners will be announced following the presentations. The first place winner of the Syngenta Crop Challenge will be awarded $5,000; the runner up will receive $2,500; and the third place entry will receive $1,000.

"Knowing the world is grappling for new ideas to help alleviate hunger challenges, this competition focuses specifically on using analytics to address that issue. Syngenta is excited to see the finalists' presentations and learn how the teams propose making crops more efficient for farmers across the U.S. and the world. It's a great opportunity to illustrate the value that analytics brings to increasing efficiency and productivity," said Joseph Byrum, Syngenta head of soybean seeds product development and lead for the Syngenta Crop Challenge committee.

Serving on the Syngenta Crop Challenge Prize Committee are:

  • Committee Chair: Robin Lougee, Research Industry Lead, Consumer Products & Agriculture, IBM Research
  • William Beavis, GF Sprague Chair of Population and Quantitative Genetics, Iowa State University
  • Joseph Byrum, Head of soybean seeds product development, Syngenta
  • Arnie GreenlandDecision, Operations & Information Technologies, University of Maryland
  • Claudia PerlichChief Scientist, Dstillery (formerly Media6Degrees)
  • Alexander PlattCenter for Computational Genetics and Genomics, Temple University
  • Stein WallaceDepartment of Business and Management Science, The Norwegian School of Economics
  • Jim Williams, Principal Consultant, Xpress Optimization at FICO

More details about the Syngenta Crop Challenge competition can be found by clicking the link below.

 

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The FCDC and AgSmart Bring Plant Breeding to a Wider Audience

Video: The FCDC and AgSmart Bring Plant Breeding to a Wider Audience

In the vast prairies of Alberta, Olds College’s Field Crop Development Centre (FCDC) stands as a beacon of innovation and research in the agricultural world. The institution has become a key player in advancing agricultural technologies and practices. The FCDC’s commitment to applied research has driven them to seek effective means of disseminating their findings and creating a positive impact on the farming community.

One such avenue that aligns with their mission is AgSmart, an event dedicated to showcasing cutting-edge agricultural technologies. The coming together of the FCDC’s annual Field Day and Ag Smart has proved to be a natural fit, fostering a synergy that benefits both parties and propels the agriculture industry forward. The FCDC Field Day took part in conjunction with AgSmart for the first time this week on Aug. 1-2 in Olds, Alta. FCDC Program Director Kofi Agblor and Olds College VP of Development Todd Ormann sat down for an interview with Marc Zienkiewicz to discuss the significance of the two events taking part together and what the future holds.

The Intersection of Research and Technology The essence of the FCDC lies in its dedication to plant breeding and new seed varieties, particularly barley and triticale. While conducting research is essential, it becomes meaningful when its benefits are shared with the wider community. This is where AgSmart steps in, providing a key venue for the FCDC to showcase their research. This union between research and technology creates a holistic and enriching experience for farmers, ranchers, and industry professionals, the pair said.

Seeds as Technology For the FCDC, the partnership with AgSmart goes beyond mere event collaboration. It is about creating an environment that bridges the gap between seeds and smart technology, Ormann said. The college believes that for technology to truly revolutionize agriculture, it must begin with a strong foundation — high-quality seeds. As the saying goes, “it all starts with a seed.” To demonstrate this critical aspect, the collaboration aims to showcase the seed value chain as an integral part of the smartphone.

The Birth of a Powerful Alliance The idea of joining forces emerged when staff realized the potential synergy between AgSmart and the FCDC Field Day. With just a few days separating the two events, a proposal was put forward to merge them. The marketing and communications teams from both sides worked seamlessly to ensure the essence of both events remained intact, creating a powerful alliance that leverages the strengths of each, Agblor said.

Driving Advancements in Breeding For Agblor, the partnership with AgSmart has tremendous potential to drive advancements in breeding and other technology. With technologies like drones and imaging becoming integral to phenotyping, breeding is no longer confined to vast fields to assess thousands of plants manually. Instead, it benefits from the data-rich insights brought about by smart technologies. These advancements make breeding more efficient, precise, and instrumental in shaping the future of agriculture.

Overcoming Challenges Together While the partnership between Olds College and Ag Smart has been a resounding success, there are challenges on the horizon. Securing stable funding for long-term breeding initiatives is crucial to sustain progress. The college is committed to navigating these challenges and investing in agriculture’s future sustainably, Agblor said.