Shoot-out

The Software Shoot-out has been a staple of the IDRC. This page provides access to historical sets of shoot-out data, as well as the data set and background information for the 2008 IDRC Software Shoot-out became available for download in February. Shoot-out rules for this year's competition are summarized in the first issue of the 2008 edition of the NIR Spectrum and are now (May 2008) available for download.

2008 Wheat Functionality as Measured by Diffuse Reflectance
of Whole Grain Canadian Wheat

(contributed by P.C. Williams, PDK Grain; retired from Grain Research Laboratory, Canadian Grain Commission, Winnipeg, Manitoba)

Instrument Data

Samples were scanned on a Foss Model 6500, using a rectangular sample cell, with “clip-on” removable back. The cell was always filled. The instrument was monitored daily using a sealed Check-cell, and a check sample. Both NSAS and WinISI diagnostics were performed most days. Data recorded included wavelength standard, a reference sample, noise test, and bandwidth test. The instrument was never turned off, but the lamp was turned off after use every day, and the instrument allowed to warm up for at least 30 minutes before use.

Spectra anomalies in the spectra occur at about 780-790, and 520-530 nm areas.

Sample Data

Samples are all of whole grain wheat, recorded from Western Canadian Plant-breeders’ material. Reference data were all determined at the Grain Research Laboratory, Winnipeg.

Reference data are Protein content (%); Test weight (Kg/Hl); PSI (wheat kernel texture) (%, w/w); Farinograph water absorption (%, w/w); Farinograph dough development time (minutes); and Farinograph mixing tolerance index [Brabender units (related to torque)]. Most of these are functionality factors, so there are no “classical” absorbers associated with them. For a more detailed description of each property, visit the Canadian Grain Commission's web site (click here; note that the Farinograph properties are listed under Farinogram).

Click here for pdf file of tables that that describe and summarize the shoot-out samples. These tables organize the samples according to year grown and Canadian wheat class. For more information about the wheat classes, click this link to be taken to the Canadian Grain Commission's descriptions.

There are 775 spectra for calibration and 107 for validation. The file Fred2008 should be used for calibration and Fred99 for validation. The samples in Fred2008 represent samples grown in 1998 and 2000-2005. Fred99 samples were grown in 1999, and are quite separate from the Fred2008 samples

The original data were in NSAS format. Dr. Howard Mark converted the data to JCAMP-DX, MATLAB, and Unscrambler formats, then compressed them with WinZip to make them all available for downloading. They are organized according to data format; each format is in a separate zip file, each containing both data sets. The description file is separate.

The zipped files may be downloaded using the following links:

NSAS format - 3.11 MB

JCAMP-DX format - 4.94 MB

MATLAB format - 3.35 MB

Unscrambler format - 2.96 MB

Description and summarization pdf file

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Previous Shoot-outs

2006 - Soil properties by diffuse reflectance near-infrared spectroscopy.

2006 page

2004 - Designing the best possible calibration for mid-infrared diffuse reflectance spectra.

2004 page