New technology developed in Saskatchewan set to revolutionize industry
Ever since farmland was first cultivated in Saskatchewan, the province has been recognized as a global leader in agriculture and agtech innovation. That tradition remains deeply rooted as new generations of Saskatchewan companies continue to adapt new technologies to improve farming practices, both here and around the world.
One such innovator is Ground Truth Agriculture, a Regina-based company that is using artificial intelligence (AI) to revolutionize grain grading. Founded in 2021, the company has quickly positioned itself at the forefront of grain quality assessment, tackling one of the agriculture sector’s most persistent challenges: inconsistent and inefficient grain grading. By leveraging cutting-edge AI and machine learning, the company’s solutions provide farmers, grain buyers, and processors with real-time, standardized grading data, enhancing efficiency and profitability across the supply chain.
Grain grading is an essential component of the agricultural sector as it determines the price and marketability of each bushel produced. But it is a process that traditionally creates problems in the marketplace, since it relies on visual inspection and broad categories rather than precise, data-driven analysis.
Factors such as colour, kernel shape, and foreign materials are assessed by human graders, which can lead to inconsistent gradings and potential bias. This can, in turn, lead to disputes between buyers and sellers on the overall quality of the grain. Ground Truth Agriculture’s automated grading system eliminates these challenges by using technology to provide more reliable and accurate grading.
Kyle Folk, CEO, said the company’s mission is to introduce a level of accuracy and efficiency never before seen in grain grading. “For many years, grain grading has been a manual, subjective process, leading to inconsistencies, delays, and financial losses. We eliminate these challenges by providing real-time, consistent, and objective grading using our advanced proprietary AI-powered system,” he explained.
Ground Truth Agriculture has two grain grading technology systems. “We developed two versions of our system to meet the distinct needs of different stakeholders,” Folk said. “The benchtop unit is ideal for post-harvest grading at storage or handling facilities, while the on-combine version provides instant grading insights during harvest.”
Both systems use a combination of machine vision and near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) to analyze grain quality factors, offering results that are consistent, accurate, and aligned with industry standards.
Saskatchewan is the best location in the world to develop, test, and commercialize agricultural technologies. Home to more than 40 percent of Canada’s cultivated farmland, the province provides an ideal environment for testing AI-driven solutions in real farming conditions. The province’s strong research and development infrastructure, combined with investment support from organizations such as Innovation Saskatchewan, has helped drive world-leading advancements in agtech.
Ground Truth Agriculture has benefited significantly from Saskatchewan’s innovation ecosystem. “Programs like Innovation Saskatchewan’s Saskatchewan Technology Startup Incentive and Agtech Growth Fund provided early-stage support that helped us attract investment and commercialize our technology,” Folk noted. “Beyond funding, Saskatchewan’s tight-knit agtech community has been invaluable, allowing us to refine and test our technology in real-world conditions.”
By collaborating with organizations such as Saskatchewan Polytechnic, the Digital Integration Centre of Excellence (DICE), and local grain producers, Ground Truth Agriculture is continuously improving its AI models. The company’s solutions are now capable of grading a wide variety of grains, including wheat, lentils, and soybeans with durum, oats, faba beans, peas, canola, and barley to come.
Ground Truth Agriculture’s automated grading system offers numerous benefits across the entire agricultural supply chain. The real-time grading data allows farmers to make better marketing and storage decisions, ensuring they receive the best possible price for their grain.
Grain buyers and processors can receive consistent, standardized grading, which improves efficiency and reduces uncertainty in grain transactions. This streamlines the movement of grain from farms to processors and exporters.
And finally, the entire agriculture industry benefits as the technology enhances transparency, reduces waste, and improves overall market efficiency by ensuring fair pricing and more reliable logistics.
Folk said that Ground Truth Agriculture is already looking ahead to further advancements. The company plans to expand its grain models, scale distribution across Canada and the U.S., and increase its manufacturing capacity to meet growing demand. Future developments will focus on enhancing AI accuracy and automation capabilities to further streamline grain transactions.
“We’re entering an exciting phase where we’re not just developing technology but actively transforming the way grain is graded and sold,” said Folk. “Our mission remains the same: to generate real, measurable value for the agricultural industry through real-time grain quality data.”
For more information, contact:
Media Relations
Trade and Export Development
Regina
Phone: 306-526-6302
Email: media.ted@gov.sk.ca