PREDICTIVE ANALYTICS & THE AGRICULTURE INDUSTRY
Who Am I?
Wesley Booth
Wolfville native Enrolled @ Acadia
University Entrepreneur
Why Am I Here?
Agenda
What is Predictive Analytics? Applications of Predictive Analytics
How Can This Help Agriculture? Precision Agriculture The Relationship – Predictive Analytics & Precision Agriculture Example – Apple Scab
Why Invest? Economic Impact Reasons
What Is Predictive Analytics?
Predictive Analytics
Describes a range of analytical and statistical techniques used for developing models that may be used to predict future events or behaviors.
Applications Of Predictive Analytics Direct marketing
Google AdWords Fraud detection
Insurance Cross-sell & upsell
Retail Customer relationship
management Salesforce
HOW CAN THIS HELP AGRICULTURE?
PRECISION AGRICULTURE
Defined
1997 An integrated information and production-based farming system that is designed to increase long term, site-specific and whole farm production efficiency, productivity and profitability while minimizing unintended impacts on the wildlife and the environment.
Today Using real-time data on weather, soil and air quality, crop maturity and even equipment and labor costs and availability, predictive analytics can be used to make smarter decisions.
How Can Predictive Analytics Be Used In Precision Agriculture?
The Relationship
Predictive Analytics – Precision Agriculture
Optimizing crop yields 90% of crop loss is due to weather
Water management 70% of world’s fresh water is used for irrigation
Minimizing large variable costs Animal feed Labour
Intelligent pesticide, herbicide, & fungicide spraying
Using Predictive Analytics To Detect & Control Apple Scab
Example
Apple Scab - Problem
Economic threat Crop loss & quality
control Resistance development
Apple Scab – Solution
Optimize fungicide spray timing
Minimize number of sprays
Improve crop quality Reduce risk
Why Invest?
Economic Impact – Kings County
Apple Scab Example
Nova Scotia produces 2.5 million bu/year
Cost 2010 ($) With Predictive Analytics ($)
Cost Reduction
Hired Labour 115,776 115,776*(.90) = 104,198.40
$11,577.60
Fungicides 20,151 20,151*(.90) = 18,135.90 $2,015.10
Total Variable Costs 270,961 257,368.30 $13,592.70
Total Apple Production
47,120 47,120*(1.10) = 51,832 4,712 (increase)
Variable Cost/bu 5.75 4.97 $0.78
Total Provincial Cost 14,375,000
12,425,000 $1,950,000
Other Reasons
Competitive advantage Atlantic Food & Horticulture Research Centre Access to key resources – Acadia University
Acadia Centre for Rural Innovation Data Analytics Institute Potential spin-off projects
Young & dedicated leadership
QUESTIONS?
Thank You
