• The Olds College Smart Farm provides students, growers and industry partners with access to a living agriculture lab

CALGARY, AB, September 22, 2021 – BASF Digital Farming has announced a $300,000 donation to Olds College, as part of its three-year commitment to support the Olds College Smart Farm. The donation, made on behalf of the company’s market-leading xarvio^® Digital Farming Solutions brand, benefits the farm’s HyperLayer data concept, a process that allows for the collection, analysis and application of multiple types of agriculture data to support the development of new technologies for Western Canadian growers.

“We’re excited to embark on this partnership with Olds College, an institution that’s respected across the industry for its long-standing commitment to agriculture education,” said Kael Briggs, Commercial Manager, xarvio^®, BASF Canada Agricultural Solutions. “The College’s HyperLayer data concept signals the next generation of digital farming in Canada and aligns with BASF’s commitment to innovation and shaping a sustainable future for farming. The investments we’re making today will ensure students, growers and industry partners have access to the information and insights they need to succeed for years to come.”

The HyperLayer data concept collects data layers across the 2,800-acre Olds College Smart Farm, including topographical data, multi- and hyperspectral imagery, moisture mapping and yield data. Through the partnership, xarvio will receive access to data collected from Olds College and its Smart Farm partners, enabling the development and testing of algorithms specific to Western Canada growing conditions. The algorithms will provide significant insight into crop nutrition and weed and disease control on a spatial basis and support growers in producing better crops.

“As we continue to expand our Smart Farm network, we’re always looking to partner with organizations that share our dedication to making Canadian agriculture even better,” said Dr. Alex Melnitchouck, Chief Technology Officer at Olds College. “Our collaboration with BASF Digital Farming is a perfect fit. Together, we’re excited to enter this new chapter of digital innovation in farming. By expanding our network, we can best provide growers with the ability to make informed decisions surrounding their fields, so they can achieve the greatest success possible.”

As one of the most data-intensive fields in Canada, the HyperLayer data concept uses satellite imagery, in addition to drones, gamma ray sensors and soil sensors, to provide BASF and Olds College with agriculture data at an extreme micro-level. The collection of this previously undiscovered information and the subsequent development of algorithms by xarvio will enable growers to make evidence-based decisions to further help optimize crop production, improve their bottom line, and maximize success.

For more information on the Olds College Smart Farm and HyperLayer data concept, please visit oldscollege.ca. For more information on BASF Digital Farming, visit www.xarvio.com/ca.

About xarvio Digital Farming Solutions a brand by BASF Digital Farming GmbH
xarvio Digital Farming Solutions is at the forefront of the digital transformation of agriculture, optimizing crop production. xarvio offers digital products, based on a global leading crop model platform, which deliver independent, field-zone-specific agronomic advice that enables farmers to produce their crops most efficiently and sustainably. xarvio products SCOUTING, FIELD MANAGER and HEALTHY FIELDS are being used by farmers in more than 100 countries. xarvio FIELD MANAGER is used by 60,000 farmers (total area of more than 9 million ha) in 18 countries, and xarvio SCOUTING is used by more than 4 million farmers and consultants. For more information, please visit xarvio.com or any of our social media channels.

About BASF’s Agricultural Solutions division
BASF Canada Agricultural Solutions, headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, has over 625 employees who work at one of three production facilities across Canada including: Lethbridge, Saskatoon, and Regina, or one of several research farms across the Canadian prairies. Agricultural Solutions is the largest division of BASF Canada Inc., working closely with the regional Agricultural Solutions team, collaborating on research and product development that benefits North American growers. To find out more about BASF Canada Agricultural Solutions, visit www.agsolutions.ca or follow us on Twitter www.twitter.com/BASFAgSolutions.

With a rapidly growing population, the world is increasingly dependent on our ability to develop and maintain sustainable agriculture and healthy environments. Working with farmers, agricultural professionals, pest management experts and others, it is our role to help make this possible. That’s why we invest in a strong R&D pipeline and broad portfolio, including seeds and traits, chemical and biological crop protection, soil management, plant health, pest control and digital farming. With expert teams in the lab, field, office and in production, we connect innovative thinking and down-to-earth action to create real world ideas that work – for farmers, society and the planet. In 2020, our division generated sales of €7.7 billion. For more information, please visit www.agriculture.basf.com or any of our social media channels.

About BASF
BASF Canada Inc., headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario, has over 1,200 employees at production facilities and offices located across Canada. BASF Canada is a subsidiary of BASF SE, and an affiliate of BASF Corporation. To find out more about BASF’s activities in Canada, visit www.basf.com/ca or follow us on Twitter www.twitter.com/basfcanada.

At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. More than 110,000 employees in the BASF Group contribute to the success of our customers in nearly all sectors and almost every country in the world. Our portfolio is organized into six segments: Chemicals, Materials, Industrial Solutions, Surface Technologies, Nutrition & Care and Agricultural Solutions. BASF generated sales of €59 billion in 2020. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchange in Frankfurt (BAS) and as American Depositary Receipts (BASFY) in the U.S. Further information at http://www.basf.com.

About Olds College
Olds College is known for high-tech, hands-on agriculture education and innovative applied research that lays the foundation for solving real-world problems in farming, food and land. The College offers programming in Agriculture, Horticulture, Land and Environment Management, Animal Science, Food Production, Business, Trades and Apprenticeships. Olds College Centre of Innovation and Smart Farm are accelerating the development and adoption of technologies and practices that result in improved productivity, profitability and sustainability of the agriculture and agri-food industry through industry-driven applied research. Olds College has been recognized as one of Canada’s top 50 research colleges by Research Infosourse. As Canada’s smart agriculture college, Olds College is working to achieve its social purpose of transforming agriculture for a better world.

BASF Media Contact:

Tabetha Boot

Tel.: (403) 461-1253

Email: Tabetha.boot@basf.com

Olds College Media Contact:

Blayne Meek
Tel.: (587) 888-9949
Email: bmeek@oldscollege.com