Soybeans receive a quality grade of 1 through 5 as they enter the supply chain. That grade has implications for contract fulfillment and the price farmers earn for those soybeans – but that rating can be subjective. This research focuses on how digital image processing can provide tools to help grain inspectors grade soybeans more efficiently and consistently. The work harnesses the power of automated computer processing to improve soybean grading. Developing algorithms to tell computers how to assess visual characteristics of soybeans requires many images. This project automates this process, incorporating aspects of the visual reference images the USDA provides for grain inspectors.
Key Benefactors:
farmers, agronomists, Extension agents, grain inspectors