Creative connectivity solutions for Australian farms

The challenge we face

Connectivity is an enabler for the wide range of agritech solutions available to producers, but without reliable, affordable on-farm connectivity, hesitation to adopt and implement digital technologies will remain. There are a variety of options that exist to identify and enhance connectivity around Australia however these can be complex, costly and time consuming. While there is a wealth of online resources to support farmers in this process, they simply don’t always have time to do this themselves. There is also a lack of service providers able to support growers at a low-cost base, which is needed to ensure return on investment for the farmer.

Getting creative with connectivity

The AgriFutures Producer Technology Uptake Program (PTUP) enabled producer groups to explore a range of connectivity solutions, including customised Wi-Fi and Long Range Wide Area Networks (LoRaWAN). Farmers also trialled the use of innovative antennas which could turn any tractor or farm vehicle into a roaming Wi-Fi hotspot. Here we explore three approaches from different producer groups and organisations.

Macintyre Ag Alliance

A group of producers in Queensland’s south west joined forces to progress Long range wide area network (LoRaWAN) technology in the Goondiwindi region, upgrading defunct local systems and sharing their learnings via field days. LoRaWAN is a long range, low power wireless network that allows battery operated devices to connect and send data over the internet.

The Macintyre Ag Alliance engaged a local LoRaWAN provider to investigate faults with an existing system and found a number of issues with older technology, including a weather station damaged by a storm. The project focused on getting one farm fully equipped with LoRaWAN to demonstrate its capability to others, and repairing existing infrastructure on other nearby farms to create a local network.

Rice Research Australia

Rice Research Australia set out to connect its historic research station “Old Coree”, near Jerilderie in the NSW Riverina, to the internet of things (IoT) through the development of a customised Wi-Fi network.

Solutions weren’t straightforward for Peter McDonnell at Rice Research Australia, who faced significant hurdles to rolling out a Wi-Fi network due to the physical environment and layout of “Old Coree”. Through consultation with a wide range of connectivity suppliers and the willingness and resources to take a ‘do-it-yourself’ approach to some elements, Peter developed a point-to-point Wi-Fi network with bounced signal from the homestead across his paddocks, using mobile repeater stations.

Grain Producers South Australia

Reliable connectivity is critical for broadacre cropping, ensuring producers maximise the potential of precision agriculture equipment. Grain Producers South Australia (GPSA) wanted to introduce farmers to connectivity options they didn’t know existed, trialling Zetifi Wi-Fi systems including the ZetiRover, a roaming Wi-Fi hotspot which can be fitted to vehicles and farm machinery. Powerful antennas and innovative, multi-carrier software converts patchy coverage into fast, long-range Wi-Fi, which growers involved in this trial described as a game changer for their operations. The roaming connectivity allowed growers to get the most out of their precision tractors or sprayers, and made the prospect of autonomous farming machinery a more realistic and commercially attractive option.

DIY isn’t always an option

The Macintyre Ag Alliance learned the hard way that doing it yourself isn’t always the best or most cost effective method. The group says “DIY” sensors were originally pitched as a low cost option, but getting cheap parts from China and putting them together, programming them and keeping them up to date was very time consuming and set growers up to fail.

It is important to emphasise that there is no one size fits all solution. Growers are encouraged to do their homework, seek advice and select connectivity systems tailored to their enterprise and location.

The role of early adopters

When it comes to building confidence in new technology, learning from farms where solutions have successfully been developed and integrated is a powerful tool in uptake and adoption. The Macintyre Ag Alliance established a LoRaWAN technology demonstration site at Scott Bale’s farm “Bundah” and hosted field days to demonstrate how it had been incorporated into the cropping and livestock operation to measure water levels in tanks and troughs, electric fences, fuel levels and bore pressure. The producer group was able to prove the technology worked, so it could be replicated on other farms with confidence.

Rice Research Australia has also encouraged growers to come and visit “Old Coree” to see the Wi-Fi network for themselves and how it enabled automated irrigation, the use of weather stations and cameras and the safety benefits of mobile hotspots and internet access. Major industry field days have also been hosted at the site.

Lessons learned:

●     Technology is complicated and ever-changing, but help is out there!

●     Growers need support for on-farm connectivity to become mainstream.

●     There is a wide range of connectivity solutions available and the opportunity to customise them for individual needs.

●     When growers see the value in a network and have confidence in it, they will be willing to invest in the technology.

●     An investment in better connectivity is one of the easiest things a producer can do to increase the safety and productivity of their operations.

For information on connectivity options, assistance with technology choices and resources like guides and tech tips visit regionaltechhub.org.au