Growers get a bird’s eye view of new on-farm technology

The Drone and Technology Day, a collaboration between the Irrigation Research and Extension Committee (IREC), Deakin University and Murrumbidgee Landcare Inc. is designed to provide local growers with accessible and practical information on the latest on-farm innovations – and their applications.

The one-day event, to be held on Thursday, 29 June 2017 at the Yoogali Club, Griffith, has attracted a line-up of prominent speakers, including remote sensing expert, John Sulik.

According to Rob Houghton, IREC Chairman, the interactive agenda will encourage growers to embrace technology.

“As a committee, we have purposefully developed an insightful program that presents complex information in an accessible format,” Mr. Houghton said.

“The focus will be on how to integrate relevant new technologies, such as drones, to improve on-farm operations, profits, and environmental stewardship.”

The cross-commodity event is an opportunity to build closer connections between irrigators, industry, researchers, educators, agencies and government.

IREC recognises that collaboration between all stakeholders is the key to increasing adoption rates of new technology by agricultural producers.

“We know aerial and ground-based drones, and other technologies, are part of the solution to issues growers face in the agricultural industry,” said Mr. Houghton.

“The first step is getting all stakeholders on the same page – and together, we will work through any barriers to taking up the technology.”

From soil and field analysis, planting, crop spraying and monitoring, irrigation, and crop health, drones give growers the ability to gather real-time data throughout the crop cycle, which supports on-farm strategy and planning.

This important intelligence helps growers identify problems, before they arise.

“As drone technology becomes more mainstream, we want to help our local growers stay up-to-date while also putting the lens on what we can expect in the future,” Mr. Houghton said.

“Drones are revolutionising agricultural production today, and they will become more prevalent in years to come.”