AgGateway has announced the release of Modus v2, an updated version of the agriculture industry's most widely used lab test data exchange standard. This modernized system builds upon the original Modus, independently released in 2014, offering enhanced test method lists for more accurate and efficient data exchange among soil test labs, retailers, researchers, software providers, and suppliers.
The updated Modus v2 addresses several key improvements identified since the original system's inception. It provides greater clarity in lab test method documentation, allowing users to identify specific test methods used and ensure proper interpretation of results. The new standard specifies a single unit of measure for each method, simplifying data exchange while maintaining flexibility for user-specific needs.
Modus v2 enables the submission of test requests with linked results and facilitates apples-to-apples comparisons by clearly documenting test parameters, timing, location, and methodology. Currently, lab test method lists for soil and manure are available in the Modus v2 structure, with plant tissue method lists expected to be completed in 2025.
AgGateway is exploring potential alignment between Modus v2 and the ADAPT Standard open-source community for field data exchange. Future efforts will focus on updating existing method lists for feed, nematode, water, and microbiology to the new v2 structure.
A formal process for requesting changes and updates has been implemented, with a dedicated website at ModusStandard.org providing an overview of Modus v2 and links to a GitHub repository for submitting requests and accessing complete definitions.
