Analysing the role of technology in broadacre farming
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.
With funding through the South-West WA Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub (SW WA Hub) the Liebe Group in Dalwallinu has partnered with CSIRO and Stirlings to Coast Farmers in Albany to monitor 19 paddocks. These paddocks have been set up with modern soil moisture and weather monitoring technology.
The project aims to combine this data with CSIRO technology and digital farm records to assess the ability of modern data analytics to address farming system challenges and improve in-season decision making when faced with a variable climate
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.
This project will run until June 2023 when a final report will be released on the results for the case study
paddocks. For more information please contact the Liebe Group Office on 08 9661 1907, or see the GGA Media Release.
