Telstra's regional manager was in attendance also and gave an update about 5G and the sunset of 3G, a horizon looming close for many rural businesses who rely on 3G to work in rural areas.
AgTeCH19: Build it, Use it, Profit was a great success and we look forward to joining them again next year!
]]>Thanks to funding from Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) and Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise (TSBE), this Digital Farming Collaboration Project brought together
Bigsky Technologies - Communication and Data Transfer
Data Farming - Satellite Imagery & Soil Testing
Goanna Ag - Field Sensors
Pairtree - End user dashboard
RDH Integration Solutions - Cameras & Pump automation
Here is an excerpt from the Original Article
The aim of the project is to transform ‘Condamine Plains’ aggregation located near Dalby in Queensland’s Darling Downs region west of Brisbane.
The main objective is demonstrating that parallel technologies & development timelines can work together to provide a seamless integration of products/services as a commercially viable consumers product offering, and; the development of inter-operability guidelines to promote wider adoption to assist with solving fragmented industry approach and/or sole vendor lock in.
Big Sky Technologies
Founded by Toby Harpham and Jason McNeice, Big Sky Techologies tackles challenges around Connectivity and Tractor & Harvest Hardware on this project.
Connectivity:
This element has been universally identified as a key barrier to adoption of digital technologies in Agriculture. There is a common misconception that a highly skilled installation process is required, and hence a high price for connectivity. We are aiming to demonstrate that a simple and scalable solution is available that is also multi device & gateway compatible. This project can also demonstrate that whilst a ‘key’ connectivity can be identified that additional overlapping/ available connectivity pieces can be added where necessary to allow flexibility and future proofing.
Machine data is currently controlled by the major Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and requires a costly subscription and inflexible software. This dynamic also limits most operations to single brand which may not fit the “best fit for purpose” approach.
The current market practice to transfer data to and from machines to 3rd party users (Agronomist, Consultants, Ginners, Plant breeders etc) is a manual USB data transfer. The project will adopt a two-way data transfer device that will enable real time data transfer through installation of two-way data transfer ‘Nibbler’ devices from Big Sky Technologies to tractors and spray rigs to enable geospatial data recording, tractor usage recording and data transfer capabilities for remote programmed variable rate maps, yield data processing & cotton RFID/Bale ID recording.
]]>In early 2019, this photo of Faba beans at Jimbour was taken as it was one of the first green crops we'd seen in a while after several years of drought, and multiple disappointing crops. We understand what it's like to work in Ag, and that's why we develop all our agricultural solutions with the Farmer in mind.
]]>An innovation showcase has highlighted how a collaborative approach to adopting AgTech products in the market can be the best solution for the local farming sector.
The event held at the TAFE Queensland Rural Centre of Excellence brought together six businesses to increase the community’s knowledge of Agtech.
More than 70 people attended the conference, with around 50 being primary producers.
Toby Harpham, Big Sky Technologies Co-Founder said the aim of the day was to get multiple businesses working together, making it easier for farmers to consume data. Something the Agtech industry is probably missing is everyone working together for the greater good for a farmer.
“If you’re not controlling your data or you don’t understand your data then I don’t think you’re going to be moving forward with the technology advancements,” said Mr Harpham.
The industry is going through big changes with advancements in sensors, drones and satellites allowing businesses to function with greater efficiency.
Tim Neale, Data Farming Managing Director, acknowledged how technology is changing farming.
“It’s being broadly adopted and embraced by the farming community. Farmers are really interested in moving forward, they know that data is a critical part of their business now, whereas before it was probably take it or leave it,” said Mr Neale.
Bruce McConnel, TSBE Food Leaders Australia (FLA) General Manager said businesses need to create a whole of solution approach for farmers to adopt.
“We’ve facilitated bringing together six businesses to solve one problem which is water efficiency on a cotton grower’s farm.”
“In this region, water efficiency is going to be our number one factor for growth and the more we do with our most limited resource will be how we get the most growth for our agriculture industry,” said Mr McConnel.
Michele Berkhout, the south west region of TAFE Queensland Director of Corporate Solutions said it was great to see so much industry collaboration at the agricultural hub.
“The TAFE Queensland Rural Centre of Excellence delivers high-quality training to the state's future rural industry workforce, but is also being used by industry leaders which is fantastic,” said Ms Berkhout.
Read the original article here
The project was sponsored by Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, GRDC, and TSBE, the digital field day was kindly hosted by TAFE's Centre for Rural Excellence Toowoomba.
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