Key Messages

• Surveyed growers utilise, on average, 7 different pieces of digital technology/applications, with weather records & climate information the most readily used.

• Technology and applications which lead to direct insights and clear management actions will be the most adoptable.

The project is funded by the Grower Group Alliance through the Future Drought Fund, and is led by the Liebe Group with Stirlings to Coast Farmers as a partner. The project aims to increase engagement in local R&D through direct use of grower’s own farm data and digital tools to rapidly and economically address agronomic issues and reduce the yield gap. Growers across the region will have increased their knowledge around how modern digital technologies and analysis methods can be utilised to address locally relevant research issues.

Project Background:

Data-analytics is increasingly being seen as an important tool for farmers to improve their enterprises. Modern technology including real-time soil moisture sensors and satellite imagery, when combined with in-season paddock data and evaluated with advanced analytic techniques, has the potential to change the face of farmer-driven R&D in Australia.

 Traditionally, growers would utilise information from numerous in-field trials and demonstrations to support their on-farm decisions. With the integration of modern sensors, models and satellite technology, it is now possible to gain information more quickly and efficiently with the addition of real-time and historical paddock data. The technology will be able to provide near real time outcomes for better decision making, so that growers do not have to wait until the end of an R&D program to apply the learnings.

 The objective of this project is to critically assess the ability of modern data analytics to address farming system challenges and improve in-season decision making when faced with a variable climate. This involves monitoring 5 paddocks in the SCF membership area that have been set up with modern soil moisture and weather monitoring technology and combining this with CSIRO technology and digital farm records to deliver decision making information to growers quickly and succinctly.

Reach out to project lead Lizzie von Perger ceo@scfarmers.org.au