Nutrien Centre for Sustainable and Digital Agriculture
The Nutrien Centre for Digital and Sustainable Agriculture advances research, teaching, and innovation to accelerate farming into the digital age—creating more sustainable and resilient food systems.
Research
Researchers collaborate across the USask campus and beyond to explore and develop technologies that can help food systems become more sustainable and resilient, along the entire value chain.
Research Platforms:
Wall-to-Wall Geospatial Agriculture Model
- A comprehensive geospatial testbed that delivers wall-to-wall, high-resolution coverage for every field in western Canada
- A digital twin that integrates soil mapping, digital agronomy, yield analysis, ecosystem modeling, and climate data
- Enables researchers, students, and industry to design and validate data-driven practices that reduce environmental footprints and strengthen sustainability across the value chain
Advanced Crop Phenotyping
- Analysis of drone imagery links plant traits to genetic information
- Accelerating breeding programs and enhancing crop performance under diverse conditions
- Researchers drive innovation in climate resilience, productivity, and resource efficiency
Education and Training
The centre fosters undergraduate and graduate mentorship and training in digital and sustainable agriculture.
Our Team
Members
Director, Nutrien Centre for Sustainable and Digital Agriculture
Professor, Department of Plant Sciences
Assistant Professor, Digital Pedology and Pedometrics
Department of Soil Science
Assistant Professor, Precision Agronomy
Department of Plant Sciences
Assistant Professor, Agricultural Data Analytics and Economics
Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics
Associate Professor, Environmentally Sustainable Animal Production Systems
Department of Animal and Poultry Science
Dr. Angela Bedard-Haughn (PhD)
Professor, Department of Soil Science
Dean, College of Agriculture and Bioresources
Dr. Peter Slade (PhD)
Associate Professor, Canadian Canola Growers Association Agricultural Policy Chair
Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics
Affiliate Members
Dr. Ian Stavness (PhD)
Professor and Department Head, Computer Science
College of Arts and Science
Dr. Scott Noble (PhD)
Professor and Department Head, Mechanical Engineering
College of Engineering
Contact
Dr. Steve Shirtliffe (PhD)
Director, Nutrien Centre for Sustainable and Digital Agriculture
steve.shirtliffe@usask.ca