Computer model improves accuracy of corn seed forecasts

In Pennsylvania, a team of researchers worked with Dow AgroSciences to use computer modeling to help improve accuracy for predictions of seed corn forecasts. The study demonstrated that the computer program was able to increase profits by 2-3% and lower costs by 6-7%.

Farmers use seed corn for their own crops but rely on a wide range of factors and uncontrollable variations like weather and demand. Dow AgroSciences tries to predict how much seed corn they need to plant but, like farmers, there are so many variables, so this computer model is extremely useful for them. The model still relies on some inputs from expert’s predictions and can compare experts against each other and the computer model for accuracy, which is most helpful for industries like biofuels or semiconductors which often have many variables and uncertainty in their supply chains.