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Time really flies when you’re having fun,
or in our case, walking around in the
mud! It is amazing how over summer,
the best performed rain dance didn't
manage to produce a drop and as I
write this in July, we are knee deep and
dodging snowflakes!
As we all know, the weather is
unpredictable. It’s one of the reasons
why we as growers tend to try and
control everything else, or at least manage everything we can, to give
us some confidence and consistency.
The move to precision farming appears to be bringing with it more
consistent outcomes. With concepts such as GPS-controlled steering
and controlled traffic to reduce the impact of machinery on the
ground (and now even drones are being used for crop monitoring), it
won’t be long before some machinery won’t need an operator at all.
I have been watching with interest the rapid development of cars
with autopilot systems that can read the road conditions, road signs
and know where the cars around you are. They may have a little way
to go yet to become fully compatible with our roads and other cars,
but it seems there is only a short leap left for this concept to become
common on our highways.
Automated ag
Interestingly, there is plenty of work going on in Australian agriculture
that is right up there with the best in the world in terms of automated
systems. Check out SwarmFarm to find articles
and video on how Queensland farmer Andrew Bate has already
taken his vision to reality to become the first in the world to have
commercially available robotic crop spraying technology.
YPP partner Adama Australia is also partnering Andrew and his team
and can see the SwarmFarm technology improving the productivity
of current farming systems with these small, lightweight machines
operating in swarms to undertake key tasks including planting, weed
and insect control, fertiliser application, irrigation and harvesting.
YPP networking
I was unable to get to the National Horticulture Convention this
year, but from what I've heard it was a good turnout. I know from
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past experience that it is always a great place to see and touch new
technology.
Patrick Fox was of course there after winning our photo competition.
I know he had a great time meeting up with new and old friends –
including fellow YPP Danny Maher and ‘much older’ grower Greg
Murphy, whom he hadn’t seen since they all went on the AUSVEG
grower mission to Canada and the USA some years ago.
Patrick reports back that he attended all the speaker sessions and
gained plenty from listening to the experts regarding new research
and product development. He was also particularly inspired to listen
to Kalfresh’s Rob Hinrichsen (who went on to win AUSVEG Grower
of the Year). Patrick also mentioned the Trade Show was excellent
– he even bought a new moisture sensor system after learning all
about them at the show and now has them installed on his various
farm blocks in WA to measure soil moisture and keep a watch on
temperature and humidity in his cool stores.
It’s great to hear that the Convention delivered what it promises each
year – information, innovation and networking!
To steal a quote from our fearless leader: “There has never been a
more exciting time to be a farmer!”
Stu
Agbots on the move on Andrew and Jocie Bate's
farm south of Emerald. Photography by Sally Cripps.