New grower program helps improve crop visibility and field decisions
McCain Foods has introduced a new grower pilot program designed to improve visibility and decision-making across its North American potato production network. The initiative is being supported by agricultural technology company Ceres AI.
The program provides growers and McCain for agronomy teams with a shared view of crop performance throughout the growing season. By using data-driven insights, the system helps identify variations in field conditions early, allowing growers to focus attention where it is needed most.
In many farming operations, crop information can be delayed or scattered across different sources. This can make it difficult for growers and agronomists to coordinate activities, plan field visits, and respond quickly to potential problems. The new pilot program aims to address these challenges by delivering consistent and timely field information.
Through the program, participants gain access to continuous field-level insights that highlight areas requiring additional attention. These insights can support scouting efforts, guide management decisions, and improve operational efficiency during the growing season.
The information is shared between growers and McCain teams, creating a common understanding of field performance. This improved coordination may help teams make decisions more quickly and respond effectively to changing conditions.
"Through this grower pilot program, we are working to provide our growers with better visibility into their fields and more targeted support during the season," said Jeremy Buchman, Director of Agronomy, McCain Foods. "By aligning our teams and growers around a shared view of performance, we can act earlier, focus on the right areas, and improve outcomes together."
According to McCain Foods, the initiative is focused on providing growers with better support and stronger visibility into crop performance. Ceres AI contributes by converting complex field data into clear and practical information that fits within existing agricultural workflows.
The pilot program reflects a growing trend toward digital agriculture, where technology and data are used to improve productivity and decision-making. By making crop information easier to understand and act upon, growers can better manage resources and monitor field conditions throughout the season.
"At its core, this work is about helping growers and McCain teams make better decisions, faster at scale," said Anubhav Sharma, Head of Marketing at Ceres AI. "By turning complex field data into clear insights, we are supporting focused scouting, better coordination, and more effective decision-making across participating acres, in a way that aligns with McCain's broader agricultural goals over time."
As the program develops, McCain aims to strengthen grower engagement, improve operational efficiency, and build greater confidence in crop performance across its supply chain. The initiative highlights how data and technology continue to play a larger role in modern potato production.
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