The latest developments in Precision Agriculture (PA) technology will be trialled sooner in Australia, if Gilgandra grain grower James Hassell achieves what he wants from his Nuffield scholarship.He is about to head overseas on the second part of his scholarship, with plans to meet and build networks with researchers and manufacturers of PA equipment in North America and Europe.Mr
Hassell, fellow Gilgandra farmer Stuart Barden, and Leon Ryan, from Western Australia, are the winners of the 2009 Nuffield Australia Farming Scholarships sponsored by the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC). PA is about taking into account in-field variability when applying seed, fertilisers and other inputs; and uses technologies such as global positioning (GPS), sensors and aerial images to collect information and manage the application of those inputs. "Even though Australia is one of the biggest adopters of precision agriculture technology, most of the research is being done overseas because they have bigger budgets," Mr Hassell said. "However, it seems some of the technology ends up on a shelf because it doesn't suite the local soils and farming systems, whereas it may suite ours. "Australia, with its relatively large fields, soil variability and drier climate, is well suited to PA, so we're the perfect testing ground for many developments."I plan to meet as many companies and researchers as possible to see what may be available in five to ten years, as well as what’s available now.
Hassell, fellow Gilgandra farmer Stuart Barden, and Leon Ryan, from Western Australia, are the winners of the 2009 Nuffield Australia Farming Scholarships sponsored by the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC). PA is about taking into account in-field variability when applying seed, fertilisers and other inputs; and uses technologies such as global positioning (GPS), sensors and aerial images to collect information and manage the application of those inputs. "Even though Australia is one of the biggest adopters of precision agriculture technology, most of the research is being done overseas because they have bigger budgets," Mr Hassell said. "However, it seems some of the technology ends up on a shelf because it doesn't suite the local soils and farming systems, whereas it may suite ours. "Australia, with its relatively large fields, soil variability and drier climate, is well suited to PA, so we're the perfect testing ground for many developments."I plan to meet as many companies and researchers as possible to see what may be available in five to ten years, as well as what’s available now.for further details visit at:theland.farmonline.com.au/news/state/grains-and-cropping/general/pa-technology-under-the-nuffield-microscope/1549115.aspx
