Frequently asked questions

Hypocotyl is a carbon intensity (CI) measurement platform for agriculture. We produce farm-specific CI scores — expressed as kg CO₂e / bushel — using the Hypocotyl LCA methodology. Think of us as data infrastructure: the layer that connects farm practice data to credible, auditable CI outputs that farmers, buyers, and lenders can rely on.

No. Hypocotyl measures and reports carbon intensity. We do not generate, sell, or manage carbon credits. If you're pursuing a carbon credit program, CI data from Hypocotyl may be relevant input, but Hypocotyl itself is a measurement and data infrastructure product, not a carbon market.

In plant biology, the hypocotyl is the early stem that connects the seed to the seedling, enabling the plant to emerge and establish itself. Our name reflects our purpose: connecting on-farm data and practices to credible, transparent carbon intensity measurement, so farmers can prove impact and access market value.

For now, we're focused on the Canadian grain and oilseed sector, especially the Prairie provinces. We expect to expand methodology coverage as the platform grows.

Hypocotyl asks for information about your fuel use, fertilizer, tillage system and pass count (when relevant), crops, and fields. Additional inputs improve the accuracy of your CI score.

For a single field, initial data entry can take less than five minutes. Data entry is even faster when you integrate your farm management tools.

A CI score for your operation, with benchmarking averages, a boundary statement, data completeness, and a confidence range. The output is formatted for sharing with buyers, agronomists, or program administrators.

No. We measure and report — we do not prescribe management decisions. Agronomic choices are yours to make.

Only you, until you choose to share your CI report with a buyer or program. We do not share individual farm data with third parties. See our Privacy Policy for full details.

No. A lower CI score is a prerequisite for participating in many low-carbon programs and buyer preferences. Whether a premium is available, and at what level, depends on market conditions and specific program criteria.

Scope 3 Category 1 (Purchased Goods) is the largest and most uncertain part of most food company emissions inventories. Hypocotyl provides field-level CI data that replaces national or regional emission factor estimates for purchased grain with measured, farm-specific values. The output format is compatible with GHG Protocol agricultural guidance.

Yes. CI reports include the elements needed for a document to pass procurement due diligence. We recommend having your procurement and legal team review specific use cases.

We work with buyers to onboard partners into the Hypocotyl network. This includes a practical onboarding process for producers, data collection support, and integration of results into buyer-facing reporting. Contact us to discuss your supplier network and timeline.

Initial methodology development is focused on canola, wheat, corn, and soybeans in the Canadian Prairie provinces and Ontario. Additional crops and regions will be added as the methodology and producer network expands.

We use a life cycle assessment (LCA) aligned approach, covering emissions from farm inputs (fuel, fertilizer, chemicals) and on-farm operations through to the farmgate. Emission factors are sourced from recognized scientific literature including ECCC National Inventory Reports, IPCC 2006 Guidelines, and the Ecoinvent database. Every factor has a reference.

It means the CI score covers all emissions from the production of inputs (fertilizer manufacture, fuel extraction) through to the point the grain leaves the farm. It does not include downstream transport, processing, or food manufacturing. Exclusions are explicitly noted on every output.

Every input behind your CI score carries a data quality tier that records how the number was sourced. The tiers run from a published default estimate (Tier 1), to a self-reported figure (Tier 2), to an evidenced record such as a receipt or application log (Tier 3), to a direct system feed (Tier 4). A single score can mix tiers, and the lowest-tier inputs are flagged so you can see where it is strongest and where it leans on estimates.

Yes — and this is disclosed upfront. Agricultural carbon science is developing rapidly. We use a version-controlled methodology with a transparent change log. Every CI output references the methodology version used, so historical scores remain auditable even as the methodology evolves.