Farmer Rancher July 25, 2019

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Serving the producers of the Northwest

FARMER North Battleford, Saskatchewan

Rancher

Thursday, July 25, 2019

Space: The newest frontier in agriculture When the Canadian Space Agency launched its first Synthetic Aperture Radar satellite, RADARSAT-1, in 1995, they weren’t thinking about agriculture. But scientists at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada saw data streams from earth-orbiting satellites as an opportunity to look at agriculture from a stellar new vantage point. Soon, they were using satellite data steams to run crop models and evaluate the ability of fields to drain. Fast forward to June 2019 when the CSA launched its third generation of SAR satellites, the RADARSAT-Constellation, and agriculture is now one of the primary clients and end-users. The RADARSAT-Constellation is a series of three SAR satellites. When linked together, they orbit the earth, providing more frequent coverage and more advanced imaging of our agricultural resources. Dr. Andrew Davidson, manager of Earth Observation Operations at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, explains there is no better way to obtain national-scale information on the state and trends of agriculture and resource use than from space. “Satellites can cover way more ground at a much faster pace than humans, drones or aircraft, and the data can be used to measure things such as crop type, vegetation cover and productivity and surface soil moisture conditions,” he says. These data are correlated with data from aircrafts, drones, and ground collection networks to produce

There is no better way to obtain national-scale information on the state and trends of agriculture and resource use than from space

highly accurate measurements of crops and conditions, with the ability to detect changes quickly. “Satellites can cover way more ground at a much faster pace than humans, drones or aircraft. While satellites provide imagery, it is the scientists on the ground who turn it into something useful,” says Davidson Davidson underlines that satellites provide the kind of timely, reliable and scientifically validated information that is necessary to help scientists, farmers, producer groups as well as policy-makers make good evidence-based decisions

to manage their operations while protecting our natural resources. AAFC’s Earth Observation Operations is based at the Ottawa Research and Development Centre. They are small, but mighty and the amount of data they manage is impressive. “Satellites provide imagery, but it is the scientists on the ground who turn it into something useful,” says Davidson. With other AAFC research scientists, they also manage international collaborations and together, AAFC is acknowledged as global experts in optical as well as SAR satellite tech-

nology. What’s in it for Canadian agriculture? Much of what Dr. Davidson’s team produces are data sets, maps and forecasting tools that can be accessed online through various AAFC web portals. There are also tools and applications for analyzing these data so that decision makers can make informed agricultural management decisions. The Annual SpaceBased Crop Inventory, a product of AAFC research, annually maps the crop type of every field in Canada and is used to detect trends in crop planting

practices. It is also critical for other applications, such as warning growers of possible threats such as crop diseases. The inventory is also being used by provinces, private sector and academia to determine how crop agriculture is affecting the surrounding environment including lake water quality and honeybee populations. “These data have opened up the possibility of enhanced decision making in the agriculture sector,” Davidson says. “And it doesn’t stop there; our ability to help meet the informational needs of the sector is only expected to

improve as new satellite sensor technologies are launched, brought online, and made available.” All in all, earth observation research is helping the Canadian agricultural sector thrive and the launch of Canada;s new RADARSAT-Constellation satellites will continue to benefit future generations of Canadians by protecting food production systems and the environment. More information on the RADARSAT-Constellation Mission can be found on the Canadian Space Agency “What is the RADARSAT Constellation Mission” webpage.

Argo wildfire benefit concert raises more than $75,000 The Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association has announced that the Argo Wildfire Benefit Concert was a huge success raising more than $75,000. The event took place on July 6, in Biggar and was part of the SSGA’s Wildfire Relief fundraising campaign to help those producers affected by the mid-April wildfire near the Biggar area. The event in-

cluded live and silent auctions and a performance by Saskatchewan musician Chris Henderson. “The benefit concert showed overwhelming support for those ranchers affected by the Argo Wildfire in April. It really reflected that Saskatchewan spirit where we lend a hand to neighbours in need,” stated SSGA President Bill Huber. “We know

the funds won’t replace everything that was lost, but it can go a long way to helping them recover.” “SSGA extends its appreciation to all those who attended the benefit and purchased auction items from the live and silent auctions,” Huber added. SSGA also thanks the Biggar and area community for hosting the event as well as all the volunteers

for helping to make this benefit concert a success. “We would like to thank all of our sponsors and the donors of items for the live and silent auctions. We are grateful for your support to put on this level of event,” Huber said. “SWF is proud to have sponsored this outstanding event,” stated Clark Schultz, president of the Saskatchewan Wildlife

Federation (SWF), which sponsored the Chris Henderson performance for the benefit. “We recognize the ag community as stewards of the land, providing wildlife populations, including species at risk, with the necessary habitat to thrive.” A number of dignitaries also attended the benefit, including Kelly Block, MP for Carlton Trail-Ea-

gle Creek, Randy Weekes, MLA Biggar-Sask Valley, Jeanne-Marie de Moissac, Reeve of the RM of Biggar and Biggar Mayor Ray Sadler. The Argo fire in midApril burned over 22,000 acres of pastures and damaged over 75 miles of fence. Producers face significant costs rebuilding fencing and finding alternative grazing.


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Farmer Rancher July 25, 2019 by Battlefords News Optimist - Issuu