Eastern Ontario Pioneer agronomist John P. Seliga assesses the performance of an online ‘artificial intelligence’ agronomist dubbed ‘Norm’. The robot image at left is a visual metaphor for Norm.
Farmers Forum staff
Artificial intelligence has come to agronomy with the recent launch of ‘Norm,’ an “AI ag advisor,” introduced by U.S. based Farmers Business Network. Norm is a specialized version of the popular ChatGPT platform to help farmers and their agronomists with almost limitless agriculture, livestock and cropping questions.
ChatGPT is the headline-making “chatbot,” which is a fancy way of describing a highly-sophisticated software program that actually responds to user questions in a human-like way by spitting out answers on a screen at a rapid-fire pace. In fact, you can ask it to write a 1,000-word essay on just about anything and it will reply in under two minutes. Not surprisingly, university students love the program.
The custom ‘Norm’ version at the Farmers Business Network (FBN) website is specially trained and bolstered with reams of agricultural data that FBN has collected for years from the in-field precision technology of more than 55,000 member farmers in Canada and the U.S.
Norm is easy to access online, it’s free and easy to use. Type a question for Norm and you’ll often get a response within seconds. You can sign up for an account at www.fbn.com/norm .
FBN does hedge a little on Norm’s usefulness by reminding users that the whiz-bang technology is “an experiment” and “not intended for real agronomic guidance.”
So how good is Norm, really? We decided to quiz Norm with a few questions, and we asked John P. Seliga, Pioneer agronomist for Southwestern Ontario, to briefly assess the answers. A few of Norm’s responses include the caveat that “it’s always a good idea” to consult with an actual agronomist.
Q. What is the best time to check for soybean aphids in Chatham-Kent?
Norm: The best time to check for soybean aphids in Chatham-Kent is when the soybeans reach the R1 growth stage, which is when the soybean plant has at least one open flower on the main stem. However, it’s also important to monitor the weather conditions as soybean aphids thrive in hot and dry weather. According to the weather report for the area represented by postal code N7M, there is a risk of showers and thunderstorms on Friday [June 23] and Saturday [June 24], with temperatures ranging from 22°C to 32°C.
Rating: ★★★★☆
John’s Review: Norm’s advice on scouting is reasonable as aphids are typically building populations around the time soybeans start flowering. It also included an environmental factor by checking the forecast; I would however, prefer to add the historical weather perspective; aphid reproduction slows under hot temperatures which we only recently experienced. I would consider the overall moderate temps this spring more suitable for population growth and be inclined to scout a bit ahead of the R1 stage. Recent rains would help to manage populations down but we could still see significant infestations.
Q. Where does Southwestern Ontario rank in terms of per-acre corn yields in North America?
Norm: According to a 2019 report, Southwestern Ontario ranks among the top regions in North America for per-acre corn yields, with an average yield of 180 bushels per acre.
Rating: ★★★★★
John’s review: I must agree with Norm. Our corn producers are regularly producing corn yields that compete with US producers in similar maturities. A combination of improved genetics and disciplined progressive management puts our producers in good standing with other North American corn producers.
Q. Do you see any elevated risks for any of the crops grown in Southwestern Ontario this year?
Norm: Based on the current weather conditions and soil moisture and temperature data, there are some elevated risks for the crops grown in Southwestern Ontario this year. The risk of corn rootworms, western bean cutworms, and European corn borers is elevated due to the hot and dry weather conditions expected in the region over the next few weeks. Additionally, the risk of fungal diseases such as gray leaf spot and northern corn leaf blight may increase if the region experiences prolonged periods of high humidity and rainfall. It’s important to monitor your crops regularly and take appropriate measures to control these pests and diseases if necessary.
Rating: ★★★☆☆
John’s review: Norm has covered a number of significant risks for our corn crop. I would have to add to the list Tar Spot and giberella ear rot for corn which are two diseases that if given the right environment can significantly impact the corn crop in Southwestern Ontario. I might also add for soybeans the yearly concern over white mold and SDS which are more prevalent across the territory I cover. There is also a growing awareness around frogeye leafspot in soybean which developed resistance to the strobilurin fungicides south of the border. Similar strains have now been identified here in Ontario.
Q. How much water does corn use at the V4 stage?
Norm: I’m sorry, but I don’t have information on the water usage of corn at the V4 stage for your specific location. However, the amount of water that corn uses at the V4 stage can vary depending on several factors, including soil type, weather conditions, and the hybrid being grown. In general, corn requires about 0.25 to 0.3 inches of water per day during the V4 stage. It is important to monitor soil moisture levels and provide adequate irrigation if necessary to ensure that the crop has enough water to grow and develop properly.
Rating: ★★☆☆☆
John’s review: I’m surprised Norm struggled with this one as there are several resources available on water use by the corn plant at various growth stages. Corn is no doubt one of the most understood crops being grown in the world today. In this case a more appropriate estimate of the water use by a corn plant at V4 would be 0.1 inches per day which increases to its peak usage of 0.35 inches per day at silking.
Q. What is an optimal corn stand in terms of plants per acre for Southwestern Ontario?
Norm: The optimal corn stand in terms of plants per acre for Southwestern Ontario can vary depending on several factors such as soil type, weather conditions, and the specific corn hybrid being planted. However, a general guideline is to aim for a final stand of 28,000 to 32,000 plants per acre.
Rating: ★★★★★
John’s review: Norm nailed this one. This average range would capture many of the acres in Southwestern Ontario although there are circumstances where a population of more than 32,000 is practical and profitable.
Q. What is the potential risk of giberella ear rot infection for Southwestern Ontario?
Norm: According to the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Gibberella ear rot is a potential risk for Southwestern Ontario. The fungus that causes Gibberella ear rot can produce mycotoxins that are harmful to both humans and animals. The risk of infection is higher in fields that have been planted with corn for several years in a row, and in fields that have been planted with susceptible hybrids. It is important to scout fields for signs of infection and to harvest infected fields separately to prevent contamination of healthy grain.
Rating: ★★★★☆
John’s review: Norm is correct, Ontario corn is always at risk of being infected with Gibberella ear rot. Norm also points out the influence of susceptible hybrids. Currently all hybrids are susceptible to varying degrees, but many seed providers are scoring the level of susceptibility, thereby allowing growers to manage their risk through product selection.
