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IQShrimp application. (Photo: Cargill)
Cargill launches software to help prevent shrimp production risks
(UNITED STATES, 3/7/2018)
Cargill has developed the first cloud-based solution in the aquaculture industry intended to help farmers manage risks and make better decisions and to provide shrimp producers with data clarity and predictive insights.
This digital software, called iQShrimp, uses machine learning and sensors to give them real-time visibility into their farm operations.
"Shrimp farming has inherent weather and disease risks," explains Neil Wendover, Cargill's digital insights product line director for aquaculture.
"By working directly with shrimp farmers, our data scientists can use machine learning to deliver insights to inform decisions that directly impact the growth and economics of their operations," he adds.
The iQShrimp software captures data from shrimp ponds through mobile devices, sensors and automated feeders to record data about shrimp size, water quality, feeding patterns, and health and weather conditions. The system then combines production and environmental information into a "live operations dashboard" to provide insights and recommendations, such as feeding management strategies and optimal harvest dates.
"Producers get a world-class software solution that is ready to connect to any device and provides the foundation for leveraging data as a competitive advantage without having to make a large technology investment," Wendover pointed out.
The technology will be available to customers globally, and is tailored to meet the needs of local producers.
At present, iQShrimp is available for producers in Mexico, Central America, Ecuador, New Caledonia, Southeast Asia and India, and will expand to other geographies in the coming months.
The firm’s representatives point out that as part of its commitment to digitalization and analytics, Cargill collaborates with IoT partners and other industry disruptors to bring technology innovations to customers across species, adding that over the next several months, Cargill will expand iQuatic offerings to other species, including tilapia and salmon.
"Cargill will continue to aggressively grow its capability in the technology, digital and analytics space to help farmers make quicker, faster decisions that directly impact their productivity and profitability," said SriRaj Kantamneni, managing director for Cargill's digital insights business.
"We are changing the industry by using machine learning, algorithms and data science to deliver more accurate and precise information for our customers," the director concluded.