Potato storage losses due to rot and disease remain a major economic challenge for growers and processors, significantly impacting profitability across the sector. Each year, spoilage is a risk when potatoes go into storage, sometimes more severe depending on weather conditions during the growing season. In Alberta alone, the potato industry contributes over $2 billion annually to the economy, yet millions of dollars are lost every year due to storage-related issues.
Traditional monitoring methods, such as manual inspections and basic sensors, often fail to detect rot early enough, leading to avoidable losses. Since potatoes can be stored for up to 11 months, regular manual inspection becomes time-consuming, labour-intensive, and unreliable over long durations.
Cellar Insights:
Cellar Insights is an AgTech innovator cofounded by Ross Culberson, a sixth generation potato grower from New Brunswick and top producer with McCain Foods. Drawing on decades of farming experience, Culberson began experimenting with sensor technology to monitor storage conditions to detect spoilage risks and minimize losses. These insights led to a yield increase of 3% or more. This success laid the foundation for Cellar Insights, which now offers other commercial potato growers the same advantages through smart sensor systems paired with predictive analytics. Their platform allows early detection of spoilage risks, such as rot and shrink, helping growers maintain crop quality and protect revenue.
Project Goal:
The objective of the project is to enhance Smart Storage Monitoring software to accurately and proactively detect early signs of rot in stored potatoes. By integrating spoilage-related sensor data and external validation methods into a robust machine learning framework, this system aims to surpass current observational methods and the existing ammonia-based detection systems in both accuracy and timing.
Industry Impact:
This project offers transformational potential for the Alberta potato industry and beyond. By delivering early and actionable insights, it allows for proactive rot management, reducing storage losses and improving quality throughout the supply chain. The result is:
Lower costs and higher revenue for growers and processors.
Reduced waste and environmental impact through improved storage efficiency.
Enhanced food security with better preservation of stored crops.
Conclusion:
The integration of sensor technology and machine learning into potato storage systems marks a significant advancement in crop management. With the backing of real-world testing, grower input, and robust data analytics, this project paves the way for a smarter, more sustainable, and economically resilient agricultural sector.
Financial support for this project is distributed by Results Driven Agriculture Research (RDAR), with funding from the governments of Canada and Alberta through the Sustainable Canadian Agriculture Partnership (Sustainable CAP).
