Two new artificial intelligence projects aim to improve disease management, grain storage monitoring and operational efficiency for Canadian producers.
Protein Industries Canada is investing $4.9 million in two artificial intelligence (AI) projects designed to help Canadian farmers and the broader value-added agriculture sector improve productivity, safety, and decision-making.
The investment includes up to $2.2 million from Protein Industries Canada and focuses on practical technologies that can address challenges faced on farms and throughout the agricultural value chain.
“Canadian farmers are increasingly adopting cutting-edge technologies to strengthen productivity, sustainability and global competitiveness,” said the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions.
“Through Protein Industries Canada, one of Canada’s global innovation clusters, we are investing in made-in-Canada AI solutions to help producers protect their yields, optimize inventory management and make informed business decisions. By reducing risk and enhancing efficiency, this initiative is helping build a stronger, more resilient future for Canada’s agriculture and agri-food sector,” Joly added.
The first project is being led by TerraVision360, the public-facing brand of Ukko Agro, in collaboration with Metos Canada and Rocky Mountain Equipment.
The partners will develop an AI-based system to help growers predict and manage Ascochyta blight, a disease affecting pulse crops. By combining crop information with localized weather data, the technology will estimate disease risk at regional and individual-field levels.
This information can help farmers determine when to scout crops and apply fungicides, potentially reducing unnecessary treatments and input costs.
The second project involves Super GeoAI Technology Inc. and Southview Farms. The partners are developing an AI-enabled drone and LiDAR solution capable of measuring grain volumes inside on-farm storage bins.
The technology aims to provide faster and more accurate measurements while reducing the need for workers to climb grain bins. It will also generate consistent, audit-ready records that can assist with farm management and verification requirements.
“AI is becoming a foundational tool for the future of agriculture, and Canada has an opportunity to lead by turning world-class innovation into solutions that work on farms and in the field, and further up the value-chain,” CEO of Protein Industries Canada Tyler Groeneveld said.
“These projects show how applied AI can help producers manage risk, improve safety, and make better decisions with real-time data—strengthening Canada’s position as a leader in innovation, while growing the value of our agriculture and food production sector,” Groeneveld added.
The projects are supported through the Pan-Canadian Artificial Intelligence Strategy and align with Protein Industries Canada’s broader goal of strengthening Canada’s plant-based food, feed, and ingredient sector through domestic innovation.
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