New online tool can provide low-cost tracking of weeds
into a computer to train a deep learning algorithm capable of identifying johnson- grass in Google’s images. The model was run again to capture potentially more images containing john- songrass. These additional images were then labeled and used to further refine the model. With each iteration, the algorithm learned and became more accurate. “This deep learning model was trained by these images,” Mesgaran said. “Once we had a semi-working model, we ran it against about 300,000 images.”
He said a traditional car survey to cov- er the same area would cost an estimated $40,000 in gas, hotel, food and other costs. In comparision, he said, Google Weed View cost less than $2,000 to purchase the images and teach the model. “In a matter of months,” Mesgaran said, “we came up with 2,000 records, and I can do it for the whole U.S.” (This story was adapted from an ariticle published by the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences at the University of California, Davis.)
The noxious weed johnsongrass can crowd out cotton and sicken horses. To manage it, farmers have tried herbicides, burning and hand-pulling. Now, researchers at the University of California, Davis, say they have developed a more high-tech weapon against the inva- sive weed: artificial intelligence and ma- chine learning. Using photos from Google’s Street View database, UC researchers tracked down more than 2,000 cases of johnsongrass in the Western U.S. through a new online tool dubbed Google Weed View. Researchers say the tool could help land managers more easily and quickly survey for johnsongrass and other problem plants. “Once the model is trained, you can just go and run it on millions of images from Google Street View,” said Mohsen Mesgaran, an assistant professor of plant sciences at UC Davis. “We have huge flex- ibility, and its capability can be scaled up very quickly.” Researchers say the program allows weeds to be labeled in Street View photos and for the algorithm to be trained to iden- tify weeds in the images. Mesgaran said Google Weed View also offers an opportunity to examine how climate affects the growth and spread of weeds and invasive plants. “I think it can be both useful for man- agement and for people with interests in more basic questions in ecology,” he said. Kassim Al-Khatib, a professor of plant sciences at UC Davis, is studying where johnsongrass grows and how to manage the prevalent and resilient weed. He is also working with scientists at the University of Georgia to decode the genome of john- songrass, one of the top 10 most invasive weeds worldwide. Johnsongrass can crowd out native plants, harbor pathogens and affect ag- riculture. It grows up to 7 feet tall with flowers that are green, violet, dark red or purplish brown, depending on maturity, according to a UC Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program briefing page. “Johnsongrass is a major weed not just in California but worldwide,” Al-Khatib said. “It’s very difficult to control. It’s a problem on vineyards. It’s a problem for cultivated crops. It’s a problem on orchards.” Al-Khatib said Google Weed View is continuously updated via everyday users with compatible cameras and images col- lected by Google. “Instead of a day of in-person driving, we can use AI to determine if johnsongrass is in a county or not,” he said. To find the weeds, Mesgaran went to Google Street View, a feature in Google Maps and Google Earth that hosts billions of panoramic photos. It didn’t take long to find johnsongrass. “The pictures are really good quality,” he said. “You can see plants and flowers.” For Al-Khatib’s request, research- ers focused on 84,000 miles of main
roads in California, Nevada, Oregon and Washington. The team discovered 2,000 locations with johnsongrass. A student sorted through over 20,000 images from that request to find pictures with johnsongrass and drew rectangular shapes around the weeds. They located 1,000 images. The labeled photos were fed
Avoid Capital Gains Tax When Selling Your Real Estate
Consider a charitable remainder trust (CRT) with City of Hope® if you would like to:
• Sell your property and bypass capital gains tax on the transfer. • Receive lifetime income for yourself and/or other beneficiaries. • Receive a charitable income tax deduction.
• Explore an alternative to a 1031 exchange. • Convert a nonincome producing property, such as a parcel of land or second home, into a lifetime income stream. • Have the peace of mind of no longer managing your property.
A CRT trust can be established with appreciated real estate, such as agricultural, residential, vacation, commercial and multifamily properties, and is an investment vehicle that is approved by the IRS.
EXAMPLE: CHARITABLE REMAINDER TRUST VS. OUTRIGHT SALE COMPARISON
OUTRIGHT SALE
CHARITABLE REMAINDER TRUST
Sales Price
$4,000,000 ($200,000) $3,800,000 ($983,970)* $2,816,030**
$4,000,000 ($200,000) $3,800,000
Sales Cost (5%) Net Proceeds
Estimated Capital Gains Tax
-
Sale Proceeds
$3,800,000
Charitable Income Tax Deduction
$1,225,480***
- -
Net Annual Income
$190,000****
*Estimated blended Federal/CA Long-Term Capital Gains Tax Rate of 33.93%. Estimated cost basis is $900,000 with an estimated capital gains tax of $983,970. **The estimated proceeds from the outright sale are net of the estimated $983,970 capital gains tax liability incurred by the outright sale. ***The charitable deduction is based on the appraised value at the time of the transfer into a CRT and may be used to offset tax liability in the year of the gift. Any unused portion can be carried forward for up to five years. ****Estimated first full year’s income, based on a fixed rate of 5% of the CRT’s annual fair market value The figures contained herein are for illustration purposes only and should not be considered legal, accounting or professional advice. Your actual benefits will vary depending on several factors, such as age, timing of gift and value of your property.
To learn more, contact Michael Rorman or another member of our team at 800-232-3314 or plannedgiving@coh.org . City of Hope’s expert Planned Giving team has helped many people create charitable trusts and generate significant tax savings and income benefits.
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February 14, 2024 Ag Alert 13
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