Posted on: October 29, 2024
Reduce the Risks of Your Farm with AgTech Innovations
Australian farmers face a barrage of challenges: economic conditions (lower commodity prices), government policy, labour shortages, business viability, plus weather and climate change.
Many of these can be addressed through agricultural technology (AgTech).
Learn how AgTech can step in to help you optimise your operations and build resilience against the impacts of whatever humanity or nature throws at your farm.
Blockchain to Improve Supply Chains and Biosecurity
Blockchain technology can be game changer for the agricultural industry. It offers a secure and transparent way to track products from the paddock to plate. Blockchain drastically improves the efficiency and security of supply chains.
Imagine being able to trace a piece of fruit or a cut of meat back to its source in real-time. Or to verify the link between Indigenous bushfoods across the food value chain. Check out how a MPS blockchain solution can embed operational data from the Fresh Supply Co network to boost supply chain insights.
This level of transparency boosts consumer trust, plus increases biosecurity by quickly identifying and isolating issues before they spread, says the CSIRO. AgriFutures recently released this report into blockchain applications for agriculture, fisheries and forestry.
Fenceless Farming
Farming without fences may sound like a security nightmare, but it’s happening right now with digital paddock technology. However, it’s not uniformly accepted across the country. Virtual fences are permitted in Queensland, WA, the NT and Tasmania, but at the time of writing this article, banned in NSW, Victoria, South Australia and the ACT. The issue is animal welfare laws that prohibit using electric shocks on livestock.
Developed by Agersens in collaboration with the CSIRO, this tech allows you to manage your livestock using virtual boundaries.
Farmers such as Ainsley McArthur have seen significant benefits, including better pasture utilisation and reduced stock loss. Without the need for physical fences, you can easily move livestock around your property, improving both animal welfare and pasture management. However, virtual fences aren’t very effective against cattle rustlers, but could alert farmers to unusual movements of their stock.
Autonomous Robotics for Hyper-Targeted Weed Detection
Dealing with the scourge of weeds cost Australian farmers an estimated $4.35B a year, according to the federal agriculture department.
Thanks to autonomous robotics, companies such as Stealth Technologies have been leading the way in hyper-targeted weed detection. These robots use advanced sensors and algorithms to identify and target weeds with pinpoint accuracy, minimising the need for broad-spectrum herbicides. Farmers save on herbicide costs and deal more effectively with herbicide resistance—a growing concern for many farmers.
Affordable Long-Term Risk Assessments for Everyone
AgTech isn’t just for big operations. Apps such as Agrolly are making it easier for small-scale farmers to conduct their own climate risk assessments. Using IBM technology, Agrolly offers affordable access to advanced risk assessment tools. Harness this app to optimise crop yields and manage climate risks and make smarter decisions about planting, watering, and harvesting.
Space-Enabled Tech for Precision Agriculture
Space might seem a long way from the paddock, but satellite technology is helping link the two. Satellite imagery and AI lets farmers monitor weather patterns, predict crop yields, and practice precision farming.
These space-powered technologies help you make better decisions about when to plant, irrigate, and apply pesticides. The result? Optimised farm management and higher protection against the risks farming in Australia’s challenging environment.
Case Study: Binginbar Farms
Nathan Simpson’s Binginbar Farms in New South Wales demonstrates how AgTech can transform a farming operation. With the support of the NSW Department of Primary Industries, he has installed digital sensors and remote monitoring systems across his farm.
These technologies have boosted his operational efficiency and also enhanced his farm’s resilience to climate variability.
To wrap up, AgTech is revolutionising how we farm, offering tools and technologies for more efficient farming with reduced risks. These innovations can also lead to lower agricultural insurance costs, making them a smart investment for any farm.
If these tools have sparked your curiosity, have a chat to use, as your ag insurance broker or adviser, to find out more about adopting AgTech and its potential impact. Early engagement with an insurance broker or adviser will be critical so that the insurer can understand the risk & benefits of Ag Tech and how it may affect your insurance premiums and policy coverage.
