Making Real Farms Smart – Mixed Sheep Ag Tech

Summary

New technologies in agriculture (agtech) rely on internet connectivity for data and information flow, to accelerate the rate of innovation and adoption. Improving the connectivity of enterprises, particularly in remote areas, offers the opportunity to expand and enhance current livestock management options and can be achieved through the use of internet of things (IoT). IoT is a system of devices that are connected through the internet to collect and transfer data over a wireless network.

In this project, an agtech innovator and service provider to the Australian red meat industry, Origo, will enable a Western Australian mixed sheep enterprise to develop, implement and assess an autonomous on-farm connectivity and internet of things (IoT) operation support system. It will also review a range of IoT devices, including for water management and individual animal tracking using smart tags.

The primary outcomes of this project will be an evaluation of the social and economic benefits of strategic use of IoT technologies, to support broad extension and adoption by other producers.

Objectives

This project will develop, install and evaluate a whole-of-farm connectivity solution and monitor the productivity and efficiency impacts of autonomous on-farm connectivity and IoT systems and IoT devices.

Benefits to industry

Improved connectivity with efficient speeds and minimal interruptions benefits all businesses across the red meat supply chain by enabling technology, remote sensors and real time information to reduce manual labour and monitor livestock, equipment and resources.