Digital Agriculture Technology

Assiniboine's two-year Digital Agriculture Technology advanced diploma covers the fundamentals of Western Canadian agricultural production systems and ties those fundamentals to the age of digital data and geographic information systems. This program provides hands-on learning in agronomy, crop production systems, livestock and ag equipment. Students then take that knowledge and using data obtained through precision agriculture applications, manipulate and communicate agricultural data sets to interpret and convey specified information to various industry representatives or producers through means such as interactive mapping, dashboards and other visual displays.

Program Learning Outcomes

• Apply fundamental GIS concepts and tools to analyze and manage geospatial data. 
• Use GIS industry standard ESRI software to create maps, dashboards and other visualizations that effectively communicate spatial information to the public. 
• Interpret and analyze geospatial data using a variety of analytical techniques and methods so the data can be positioned in such a way as to tell a story to the intended audience. 
• Collect, process, troubleshoot and integrate geospatial data from multiple sources into a cohesive GIS project. 
• Design and implement a GIS database that effectively manages spatial data. 
• Use GIS to solve real-world problems in a variety of fields. 
• Effectively communicate GIS findings to diverse audiences, including technical and non-technical stakeholders. 
• Apply basic cartographic principles to design effective maps for a variety of purposes. 
• Demonstrate an understanding of GIS ethics and best practices, including data privacy, accuracy, and integrity. 
• Work effectively as part of a team to complete a GIS project, including project planning, data management, analysis, and visualization. 
• Demonstrate knowledge and awareness of precision agricultural systems including the installation, monitoring, calibrating and diagnostics involved.
• Apply agro-ecology and environmental land management practices to agricultural land use and landscapes. 
• Evaluate and implement risk management strategies for agricultural operations. 
• Evaluate and apply commodity market management principles in the agribusiness sector. 
• Design cropping systems and apply effective practices in crop production systems in Western Canada including integrated approaches. 
• Develop integrated pest management systems and apply assessment techniques, field scouting procedures, and appropriate record keeping.  
• Apply occupational health and safety measures, demonstrate mental health awareness in agriculture, and use safe equipment operation and maintenance procedures for equipment used in agribusiness. 
• Apply on-farm production knowledge including codes of practice; nutrition, feed and forage; safety protocols and biosecurity in various areas of Canadian livestock production. 
• Apply knowledge of agriculture field equipment and their suitability to farm operations-based evaluation of key considerations including use, cost and return on investment. 
• Demonstrate professionalism, ethical behaviour, critical thinking, creativity, effective communication, and conflict management strategies in the workplace. 
• Demonstrate proficiency in computer applications and software relevant to the agribusiness sector.

You might be a good fit for this program if you would enjoy: 

• A two-year (20 month) program to build upon your previous education and introduce you to production terms and concepts applicable to western Canadian agricultural practices. 
• A 16 week paid work integrated learning component in the agriculture industry.
• Entering a career in or supporting the Canadian agricultural industry and food production markets. 
• Opportunity to work in a variety of urban and rural communities, in both indoor and outdoor settings. 
• Advancing your career through learning transferable technology skills that every industry employs.  
• Work with interdisciplinary teams to solve real world problems using cutting edge technology. 
• Learning to operate specialized computer hardware and software and peripheral equipment to model, manage, analyze and display data. 
• Enjoy working with computers to customize geographic information and convey digital information in visual ways. 
• Collecting, organizing, interpreting, and analyzing data to solve problems. 
• Learning how agricultural producers and their supporting industries work together to produce the food that feeds the world. 

The industry and program environment often requires individuals to:

• Be able and willing to travel.  A valid driver’s license and access to a vehicle is strongly recommended given the need to travel for outdoor field lab activities and your work co-op placement. 
• Maintain strong customer and client relationships, by being able to quickly problem solve and deal with customer conflicts and complaints in a professional manner. 
• Apply business practices to cropping, livestock or mixed farm operations. 
• Be self-motivated and results-oriented with the ability to deliver strong results in an often-unsupervised environment. 
• Be able to solve novel, ill-defined problems in complex, real-world settings.
• Exercise judgment and decision-making, considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one. 
• Monitor and assess individual performance, and to make improvements or take corrective action. 
• Be equally comfortable working in a structured environment, such as an office, but also in an outdoor setting.