Electronic technologies that can help farmers improve on-farm efficiencies and profitability will be a focus in the tech hub at the 2014 BCG Grains Research Expo.
Now in its third year, the Expo tech hub hosts expert speakers who can help growers get a clear understanding about the capabilities of new electronic technologies and how they can use the data generated to support on-farm decision-making and to save time and money.
Topics being covered in the tech hub at this year’s Expo include the NBN and on-farm internet connectivity; farm software and apps; and turning machinery collected data into decisions.
BCG public relations officer Justine Severin said the rapid development of electronic and machinery-based technologies was often overwhelming.
“Today’s farmers can have a vast amount of paddock, agronomic and financial data at their finger-tips, but understanding how this information can be used to support on-the-ground decisions and to improve efficiency and profit is not always clear,” she said.
During the tech hub’s ‘Data to Decisions’ presentation, agricultural scientist and farmer Ben Jones will discuss how precision agriculture technologies, cloud technology and farm records can be made practical and user friendly.
Dr Jones has developed a software package – PA Source – designed to help growers manage and make use of their precision agriculture data.
The audience will also hear about the future of paddock data collection with UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) specialist Phil Lyons joining the conversation. Mr Lyons will talk about the role he sees for UAV’s within the agricultural sector.
Over the course of the day a range of farm software and agricultural apps will be showcased in the tech hub including FarmWare, Back Paddock and ProductionWise.
Tasmanian farmer James McShane, who is also the owner and curator of the farmingwithapps website and an app developer, will share his expertise and share his insight into what makes a good app or farm software package.
While these technologies promise to deliver exciting benefits to farm businesses, many are essentially useless without adequate internet connectivity.
To answer questions and concerns about ‘getting connected’ on-farm will be NBN Co lead community account manager Lalla Mackenzie and remote connectivity specialist Ian Ware.
With Birchip expected to be connected to the NBN in 2015, Ms Mackenzie will provide growers with examples of how this technology can benefit their businesses.
For the many who will remain outside the NBN zone after its initial Birchip roll out, Mr Ware will provide tips on how they can improve their current internet connectivity both in the office and in the paddock, and how rural residents can manage their data downloads.
The technology hub is one of four discussion rooms that will be in operation during the BCG Grains Research Expo on July 3. A mixture of agronomic and business management topics will be discussed in the Diamond and Gold rooms, while the Livestock room will have a livestock focus.
The Expo will also feature cooking, butchering, working dog and health demonstrations, youth activities and over 70 industry exhibits.
The 2014 BCG Grains Research Expo will be held at the Birchip P-12 School on July 3, with a pre-expo dinner at Birchip Leisure Centre on July 2 ($50/head). Entry to the Expo is free for non-BCG members and $50 for non-members. To download a full Expo program go to: www.bcg.org.au.
