Olds College of Agriculture & Technology is assessing the Picketa LENS at the Olds College Smart Farm in Alberta as well as on our Saskatchewan farm land.
Traditional plant tissue testing often involves a multi-day wait for lab results, which can delay critical nutrient management decisions. The Picketa LENS is designed to change that by providing real-time, in-field nutrient analysis. By using light-based technology to "read" plant tissue, this device aims to give agronomists and producers immediate data on crop health. To ensure this technology is reliable for western Canadian producers, rigorous validation against traditional chemistry lab results is essential.
The Smart Farm in Saskatchewan is 800 acres of land west of Craik, SK, donated to Olds College by Margery Steckler and her late husband, George Steckler.
Olds College researchers are doing extensive tissue sampling to test the accuracy of the Picketa LENS on various crop types. By comparing the device's outputs with paired plant-tissue lab analysis, we are helping to verify if the Picketa LENS meets the high standards required for precision nutrient management.
Funders/Partners: Picketa Systems