Researchers at Olds College of Agriculture & Technology are rolling up their sleeves and getting to work this fall thanks to the donation of a New Holland combine by Rocky Mountain Equipment (RME).
“It gives us a wonderful opportunity to gather all kinds of data involving precision agriculture,” said Roy Maki, Research Project Manager at the Olds College Smart Farm. “Without these kinds of donations, it would be a real challenge doing crop research that will help producers and the agriculture industry deal with some of the problems they are facing.”
The farm equipment dealership in Olds, Alta., was honoured in 2024 as the College’s Partner of the Year. The award recognizes outstanding contributions to Olds College and the agriculture industry.
RME will be donating a combine each year under a three-year agreement. The latest machine, a New Holland CR8.90, marks the second year of the arrangement.
It will be used to harvest crops this fall at the Smart Farm, which is a living laboratory for agricultural research spread over 3,000 acres. Maki said the combine includes vital features like auto-guidance, real-time yield and moisture monitoring, and the ability to generate detailed field maps.
“These technologies are crucial for researchers because they provide instantaneous data that can be used to spatially analyze crop performance, identify high- and low-yield areas, and make informed decisions about nutrient management for future seasons. Yield and moisture monitoring have been around for a few years, but the enhancements on the newer combines make it more accurate and easier to use.”
The New Holland combine started harvesting on Wednesday, Sept. 24 on Field 15/16, which is among the most studied farmland on Earth because it boasts more than 40 years of scientific data, said Maki. The machine will provide critical data for several research projects, including a study that compares the use of variable and fixed rates of fertilizer, he said.
“By analyzing the data from yield and moisture sensors onboard the combine, our research team can measure the effectiveness of different fertilizer application methods. This real-time data, stored along with its spatial information, can be used to refine best practice methods for future years.”
The combine will also play a vital role in student education, he said. “It keeps our students and researchers current with technology and familiar with the latest advancements.”
The combine joins other donations by RME that have included equipment such as sprayers as well as student scholarships like the RME Ken Wood Memorial Award. Maki said it underscores the importance of industry partnerships in advancing agricultural innovation by ensuring that Olds College remains at the forefront of smart farming practices.
“To have modern, current equipment, it just keeps everyone sharp and always learning what’s new and how the features work.”
The Smart Farm is working towards providing producers with real-life applied research to help them make informed decisions about implementing technology in their own operations.