A free precision agriculture field day at NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) Yanco Agricultural Institute held in early April attracted local farmers and advisers from across the Riverina and Central West
NSW DPI lecturer in precision agriculture at Tocal College, Matt Notley, said farmers were genuinely interested in how they could reap benefits from the latest generation of technology.
“There was a lot of hands-on activity and questions about new equipment and data management systems on offer,” he said.
“People were looking for systems beyond the whiz-bang which would give them the opportunity to lift production and reduce input costs.
“These sophisticated new systems allow farmers to use data, including soil tests, yield and weed maps, to effectively manage their farming operations.
“The technology gives farmers the power to accurately manage applications to suit individual paddocks by calibrating equipment to deliver the exact amount of fertiliser and lime needed, where it’s needed.”
Drone-based NDVI surveys and spraying systems using near infrared sensors to detect weeds and spot spray to reduce chemical use and deliver effective weed attracted attention on the day.
