Open-source software (OSS) is software whose code is freely available for the public to use, modify, and share. This contrasts with proprietary software, which is privately owned and licensed. OSS is typically developed by a community of people who collaborate to create a product that meets their needs, often at a lower cost than similar commercial software.
According to Farm Progress, many widely used programs are open-source, including Android, the most popular mobile operating system, as well as the Firefox browser, the Linux operating system, and the Python programming language.
While open-source software has been common in computer science since the 1990s, agricultural-related OSS projects have only recently gained attention. As more farmers become familiar with computers and software, there has been a rise in open-source projects designed to address gaps in existing agricultural technology, reduce costs, or meet specific needs not covered by larger, for-profit companies.
A few of the projects include:
Ag Open GPS. Ag Open GPS, created by Brian Tischler from Alberta, Canada, is a popular project among tech-savvy farmers. It provides an affordable autosteer solution with features similar to those of branded products. The software is free and only requires a generic GPS antenna, receiver, and a Windows tablet. It offers pass-to-pass accuracy of less than 1.5 meters, with potential for even better accuracy in some regions. Adding RTK corrections can improve accuracy to around 1 centimeter, and with additional components, autosteer functionality is possible. The project also includes features like section control and automatic implement lift, with more in development.
Web ODM. Web ODM (Open Drone Map) is an open-source software that allows users to easily combine individual drone images into high-resolution orthomosaic images for analysis. Unlike commercial options that can cost over $1,000 annually, Web ODM is free to use. It also provides analysis tools for plant health indicators, such as the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and Leaf Area Index (LAI), among others.
Open weed locator. Open Weed Locator, created by doctoral student Guy Coleman, is a project designed to detect and spray individual weeds in fallow fields. The software and hardware design plans are freely available, and in-crop weed detection is currently being developed. Although many of these projects may not offer the customer support or user-friendliness of commercial products, they can be a great option for tech-savvy farmers or those with tech-savvy children. The cost and functionality can be worthwhile, and you won’t have to pay for or wait on service, as you’ll likely be able to troubleshoot and fix issues on your own.
