The Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association (OSCIA) is supporting Agriculture and Agri-food Canada (AAFC) in investigating methods to estimate crop residue levels on the soil surface using satellite data. This research will help measure the adoption of practices that promote carbon storage in the soil and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from agricultural landscapes.

Photos of crop residue taken with a mobile device are needed to train this model. Photos must be “event-driven,” meaning they must be taken following field events (harvest, residue removal or management, manure application, tillage, fall seeding). Farmers are the best source of photos to capture a broad range of field conditions and events!

OSCIA is seeking farmers to test the app that collects these photos. In addition to submitting photos of residue after field events, we are seeking feedback on how to improve the app and on training and incentives that would encourage farmers to use the app.

Do you want to contribute to residue management and satellite technology research?

Do you have a mobile device with a camera and mobile data or Wi-Fi access?

Do you have a 2023 corn crop that will be harvested later this fall?

If you responded YES to all three questions, please indicate your interest by completing this brief form https://forms.office.com/r/5ek1QkFtUz. OSCIA will contact participants with instructions and the next steps.

Participants will receive $50.00 per photo submission (up to a maximum of $250.00) in recognition of their contribution to this research, following participation in required feedback opportunities. Aside from location data, photo submissions and feedback will be anonymized, and all participant information will remain solely with OSCIA.

Save the Date: A virtual information session will be offered to farmers who complete the form on Wednesday, November 1, at 7:00 p.m.

If you have any questions, please contact research@ontariosoilcrop.org.