By Alice McFarlane

Agriculture Roundup for Wednesday March 16, 2022

Mar 16, 2022 | 12:23 PM

MELFORT, Sask. – The federal government is providing $1.1 million to a company that is creating a portable device to test grain quality.

Savormetrics Inc. CEO Harjeet Bajaj said the AI-Driven devices are for commercial testing of grains.

“It makes sense for Canada to pioneer standards that lead to innovative, more robust and environmentally greener tools for testing,” Bajaj said. “Savormetrics hopes to establish a new standard for testing key grain quality metrics globally.”

The device that will provide users with fast, accurate and easy-to-read predictive metrics on grain quality. The new technology will provide consistent grain information in real-time, resulting in less waste and an improved testing and grading process.

Bajaj said farmers will be supported with additional tools to help them overcome inconsistent grain information.

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The funding is coming through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, under the AgriScience Program.

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The Canadian Agri-Food Automation and Intelligence Network (CAAIN) launched its Beef and Pork Primary Processing Automation and Robotics Program.

It is a $5 million designed to foster the development and adoption of innovative technology-based solutions to challenges facing red meat processors.

CAAIN CEO Kerry Wright said the pandemic has exacerbated ongoing difficulties associated with labour shortages, worker safety and productivity, and supply chain disruptions.

“Plant closures further impact producers whose hogs and cattle must be processed in a timely manner. We have diligently engaged beef and pork industry stakeholders in broad-based consultations and one-on-one discussions to better determine key priorities,” Wright said.

CAAIN’s mandate is to focus its funding on three types of technological advancements of importance to the agri-food sector.

Wright said one of these pillars is the burgeoning field of automation and robotics.

“Encouraging modernization is a big piece of the puzzle and, while there is likely no silver bullet solution, we can certainly move the goalposts by supporting innovative approaches to automation across the sector,” Wright said.

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alice.mcfarlane@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @farmnewsNOW