AI sensors powering irrigation
In the ever-evolving world of agriculture, efficiency and precision are key to maximizing yields while conserving resources. A Canadian company that just launched its cutting-edge technology in the U.S. is shaking up that formula.
Calgary, Alberta-based Intelirain has developed an advanced multispectral sensor technology that optimizes irrigation in potato fields. In a recent interview, Intelirain CEO Cam Cote shed light on how this innovative technology is transforming farming practices.
FROM GOLF COURSE TO POTATO FIELD
Intelirain’s journey started in the golf industry, where engineers were working on sprinkler clips. It was there that they realized how complex managing irrigation manually could be, Cote said.
“That’s where the concept for our agricultural scanner came from,” he said.
Traditional irrigation methods require farmers to estimate soil moisture levels and then manually adjust watering schedules based on those estimates. Intelirain’s technology changes that process.
“We developed a multispectral sensor that can analyze the soil and determine its moisture rate,” Cote said. “Instead of manually adjusting the system, we retrofit these sensors onto existing pivots and use the sprinklers already in place.”
Intelirain’s multispectral sensor technology utilizes one sensor per tower. The robotic sensors rotate to scan the soil from wheel to wheel.
“The sensors gather data in real-time, and AI algorithms determine the soil moisture rate under each tower,” Cote said. “Based on what the grower wants for moisture levels, the system sets a prescription or runtime for each nozzle.”
The AI technology ensures that each section of the field gets the exact amount of water it needs, while preventing over- or under-watering.
“When you stand in a field, it looks uniform, but you’d be wrong to assume that,” Cote said. “There are at least two to three different soil types in a field, and topography also plays a role. Water runs off hills into valleys, making some areas too wet and others too dry.
“Even nozzle to nozzle, which are typically six feet apart, can have different prescriptions. There’s that much variability in a field.”
That variability demands a more precise approach to irrigation.
“We can apply more water to dry hills and less to wet valleys, ensuring the right moisture levels throughout,” Cote said. “That’s a game changer.”
REAL-TIME DATA AND AI INTEGRATION
Unlike many traditional irrigation systems that rely on estimations, Intelirain’s technology continuously updates. “Every two degrees of rotation, we re-scan the field and
adjust the prescription for each nozzle,” Cote said. “On a quarter-section field, that means breaking it down into 18,000 individual zones.”
Additionally, the system factors in environmental conditions. For instance, in the afternoon, when solar loads and wind are at their peak, evaporation rates are high, so the system applies more water.
“At night, when evaporation is minimal, we apply less,” Cote said. “The system can even speed up the pivot when efficiency is higher, reducing overall runtime.”
One of the biggest advantages of Intelirain’s system is its ability to conserve resources. Growers who have adopted Intelirain technology have reported reduced water use by 10% to 30%, depending on the variability of their field, Cote said. They’ve also reported seeing irrigation runtimes decrease by 10% to 25%.
For farmers using diesel-powered pumps, this can mean reduced fuel costs and lower carbon emissions.
“In Canada, where there’s a carbon tax, this kind of efficiency can provide financial benefits as well,” Cote said.
YIELD INCREASES, QUALITY IMPROVEMENTS
Beyond conserving resources, Intelirain’s technology has also been linked to yield improvements.
“Growers are telling us they’re seeing a 12% to 13% increase in yield,” Cote said. “That’s because we’re eliminating dry and wet spots and maintaining a uniform moisture rate across the field.”
For potato growers, consistency in size is crucial.
“Potatoes are graded by size, so if we can get them to grow uniformly, that increases their market value,” Cote said.
By analyzing field conditions alongside weather forecasts, Cote said he believes Intelirain could also be used to predict potential stress events for potatoes before they happen. This could offer growers peace of mind if it means keeping rot out of the storage unit.
“Some parts of a field will just stay wet,” Cote said. “We can track those areas over time and predict where rot might occur. That means farmers can avoid harvesting those sections or take preventative action.”
Although Intelirain has been successful in Canada, 2024 marked its official entry into the U.S. market. The company launched at Potato Expo in Orlando in early January, where Cote said the response was overwhelmingly positive.
BENEFITS IN THE FIELD
Unlike many modern ag-tech solutions, Intelirain operates on a no-subscription model.
“Farmers don’t like being nickeled and dimed,” Cote said. “They buy the system, and they get access to all the features. No hidden fees.”
Kevin Wind, potato grower and owner of Windland Farms near Taber, Alberta, recently adopted Intelirain on his farm. With 300 acres of chipping potatoes, Wind was looking for a more precise way to manage water distribution beyond traditional variable rate systems. His previous Trimble system, which required manual adjustment, was just too labor intensive.
“I always knew this kind of technology would eventually come,” he said.
What Wind likes most about the system is that it improves over time. He’s observed other benefits, too, including water savings of 20% to 30% and reduced energy costs due to optimized pump usage. More importantly, he believes the technology helps prevent over-irrigation, which can lead to storage issues and crop loss.
“The biggest thing for me is still yield,” he said. “I want every acre irrigated to the perfect amount without being too wet.”
While the system isn’t flawless, Wind sees its potential.
“It’s like hiring a new employee — you have to train it, but eventually, you can leave it to do its job,” he said.
