USask graduate embraces digital agriculture for career success

Ward will officially receive her Diploma in Agronomy and Certificate in Precision Agriculture at the University of Saskatchewan’s (USask) Spring Convocation on June 4.

The Precision Agriculture Certificate is offered by the USask College of Agriculture and Bioresources (AgBio) and is open to undergraduate students across disciplines such as engineering and computer science. Students learn about the technologies used in precision agriculture (satellite imagery, global positioning systems, etc.) to measure and manage variability in crop production to increase both yield and sustainability.

A summer job at her local Co-op Agro Centre inspired Ward to add the certificate onto her agronomy diploma program.

“This summer position is where I first used a digital scouting app to make field scouting reports,” said Ward. “I realized how useful digital agronomy is to agronomists and growers.”

Ward utilized Quantum Geographic Information System (QGIS) software in the lab portion of the certificate program to interpret digital elevation maps, yield maps and EM38 (electromagnetic soil mapping) data.

“We generated our own topographic, hydrological and Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) layers to determine the cause of within-field spatial variability and how it may impact yield,” said Ward. “The agriculture industry is constantly evolving and changing. Technology is becoming more prominent and is a good resource for increasing productivity and management of crops.”

Ward excelled in her classes and received the Saskatchewan Institute of Agrologists Prize to Top Diploma Graduate. This honour goes to the most distinguished diploma graduate in AgBio. She was also a member of the Golden Key International Honour Society. To become a member, students must be at the top 15 per cent of their academic program.