'Precision Fertiliser Decisions in a Tight Economic Climate' (SPA2201-001SAX)

The Society of Precision Agriculture Australia (SPAA) project, ‘Precision fertiliser decisions in a tight economic climate’ (SPA2201-001SAX), was funded by the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) as part of their investment to assist growers and agronomists in managing input costs, maximising on-farm productivity, and building economic resilience in high input-cost seasons.

SPAA is very grateful for the opportunity to deliver the project, which aligns with our strategic mission of facilitating the adoption and extension of precision agriculture practices amongst Australian producers.

The project has successfully delivered the following outputs between 2022 - 2023:

 

National hands-on VRT workshops

National webinar “Precision Ag – getting the most from your spend on inputs,” 

Grower case studies

Fact sheets and videos

Articles published in Precision Ag News (PAN)

Grower videos and podcasts

Precision Agriculture in Practice (ed. 3)

 

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National hands-on VRT workshops Held in key grain growing regions around the country between February – June 2023 (n=211). The workshops were delivered by partners: Colin Hinze, Pinion Advisory Tim Neale, Data Farming Reuben Wells, Ag Logic Alice Butler, FARMANCO Bindi Isbister, Agrarian Management Locations included:NSW - Corowa, West Wyalong & Narrabri | QLD - Mungindi & Chinchilla |SA - Crystal Brook | TAS Davenport & Campbell Town | VIC - Tatyoon & Kaniva |WA - Bencubbin, Merredin, Broomehill & Green Range. Read more about the VRT workshops: here

 

 

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National webinar “Precision Ag – getting the most from your spend on inputs,” (n=179)

Delivered by SPAA, ORM and partners Colin Hinze (Pinion Advisory), Tim Neale (Data Farming) & Reuben Wells (Ag Logic). 

• the importance of VRT (variable rate technology)
• the building blocks required for effective VRT
• practical examples of the benefits and success of VRT
• the steps involved to move towards greater adoption of VRT.

See the VRT webinar recording: here

 

 

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Grower case studies Unpack the first-hand experience of Australian producers applying VRT on their property.  Perfect paddock protein through precision pathways - Neale Postlethwaite, VIC Simple approach key to variable rate success on Branson Farms - Mark Branson, SA The mixed or muddled farmer? Dabbling in precision ag - Ben & Stephanie Tait, TAS Increasing yields with variable rate technology - Ben & Ange Cripps, WA Using data to unlock potential on West Wimmera farm - Alwyn & Kerryn Dyer with sons Jonathan & Colin, VIC Comparison of variable rate technologies on Fels family’s farms - Marnie & Mick Fels, WA Increasing yields with variable rate technology - Peter Minhard & Tarren Minhard, SA Variable rate helps WA farmer get the best out of range of soils - Darren & Vanessa Cobley, WA Turning to technology to combat farming system challenges - Nathan Simpson, NSW Tricky paddock stretches variable rate trial - Shane Boardman, NSW

 

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Fact sheets and videos Produced by University of Sydney (Precision Ag Lab) and collaborators. A special thank you to Dr Brett Whelan for producing the video content.   Proximal Soil Sensing Systems: written fact sheet | video "An overview of the different proximal soil sensing systems available to Australian growers, and for usein precision agriculture." By Dr. Tom Bishop, Dr. Brett Whelan and Dr. Rob Bramley. Improving Nitrogen Decisions: written fact sheet | video "An overview of the different crop sensing options available to Australian growers for improving nitrogen decisions and for use in precision agriculture." By Dr. Brett Whelan and Dr. Rob Bramley. Satellite Remote Sensing: written fact sheet | video "An overview of the different satellite imagery options available to Australian growers, and for use in precision agriculture." By Dr. Mario Farjardo.

 

 

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Articles published in Precision Ag News (PAN)

GRDC supported the publication of articles on key precision ag tools used to make informed decisions.  

• Road testing digital tools breaks down barriers - Summer 22/23 
  • The Smart Farms Initiative in West Australia’s Great Southern Region de-risks agtech adoption
    by identifying what devices work, and demonstrating how they can improve management and
    productivity outcomes.
• Soil samping using data layers: A cheaper and more effective alternative to grid sampling - Summer 22/23
  • Article contributed by Dr Patrick Filippi, Lecturer and Research Fellow in the School of Life and
    Environmental Sciences and Sydney Institute of Agriculture at The University of Sydney.
• Space, time and the multiverse...for agriculture - Summer 22/23
  • In this article, Dr Mario Fajardo Pedraza and Dr Asher Bender, both of The University of Sydney,
    provide an overview of the different satellite imagery options available to Australian growers.

 

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Grower videos and podcasts - produced by Anvil Media. Video content and additional podcasts will be launched early in 2024.

Podcast 1: Bindi Isbister from Agrarian Management discusses: How precision ag helps to manage variability in soil types. Variable rate vs blanket rate.  What are the different forms of variable rate? How can growers get started with variable rate? What are the challenges of precision ag?  Hear from Bindi Isbister: Precision fertiliser decisions in a tight economic climate

Podcast 2: Grower, Tom Longmire (Esperance) The history of PA and VRT use at the Longmire family farm Implications of high fertiliser prices When to blanket rate vs to variable rate Their biggest VRT success story Challenges for growers that are new to VRT Making use of consultants Section control The value of grower workshops and future directions with VRT.  Hear from Tom Longmire: Implementing variable rate technology on-farm

 

 

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Precision Agriculture in Practice (ed. 3)

This flagship publication provides foundational, practical information and case studies on precision fertiliser decisions - making it a valuable resource for growers, advisers, and other stakeholders in the grains industry.

PA in Practice III content includes step-by-step guides on:

• Getting started with PA
• On-farm experimentation
• Yield mapping
• Soil mapping and management
• Variable rate fertiliser
• Sowing
• Precision weeding.

If you live in Australia and would like to order a hard copy of Precision Agriculture in Practice III please contact Brent Perkins communications@spaa.com.au to discuss.

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SPAA project SPA2201-001SAX proudly funded by: