V.DIG.2022 - AxisTech Device Deployment – Windy Station

Summary

The purpose of the project was to demonstrate hardware devices available in the market as requested by producers, industry groups, solution providers, researchers and universities.

RPC developed an IoT ‘shopping list’ of devices for installation and demonstration and AxisTech was successful in their application for RFQ to install devices and connectivity.

The results of the demonstration will be used to help recognise the key steps producers need to take when undertaking their own IoT projects and to prove the performance and use case for the devices installed by AxisTech.

Objectives

The objective was to demonstrate the capacity of digital technology on a working farm and show how the property owner can benefit from accessing and analysing data collected remotely.

Specifically, this project will supply, install and make operational the following digital components:

• 5 x water trough sensors;
• 4 x water tank sensors;
• 2 x water trough cameras
• 2 x weather stations;
• 2 x rain gauges; and
• 3 x soil probes

Will have trained and acquired sign-off from Romani Pastoral’s General Manager and MLA.

Key findings

The results of the project were determined during a handover on 23 December with AxisTech, RPC Management team and MLA where feedback on the devices, their performance and use case was provided. It was determined that at this point, the Waterwatch tank and trough sensors had demonstrated significant value and the rest of the devices were still to prove their value and use case. AxisTech will continue to work with the RPC General Manager to potentially modify install locations of some devices and to assist with future use cases for the other devices.

Some of the key results we have identified that arose from the project include:

• Project planning required for IoT outcomes – what knowledge, benefits and outcomes is the host looking to gain from the data generated by devices?
• Time required by project host to understand devices and to incorporate data into decision making activities as well as device maintenance.
• Relationship between the AgTech provider and the farm manager and the support provided is essential to the success of the project.

Benefits to industry

The benefits to industry of this project are that it enables producers, industry groups, researchers and universities to obtain knowledge and use cases for IoT devices available in the market so that they may complete their own IoT projects and improve their own farming operations. It also enables providers to test the robustness and reliability of their devices and to develop use cases based on the outcomes achieved.

MLA action

The learnings from the Romani Digital demonstration farm project has helped shape the MLA Digital Agriculture business plan. A need has been identified to further test AgTech which is market ready with producers in real world situations to identify the use cases and value propositions of the solutions beyond the simple demonstration of them. This is guiding the current and future MLA investments in this space.

Future research

For future research and project development, AxisTech has the following recommendations:

• It is important to address use cases and outcomes as part of the device or solution selection process to ensure the Farm Manager obtains real value from the devices and the project.
• Adequate time is required for project planning, manufacturing and installation to ensure a successful project.
• After installation, the solution provider should work closely with the Farm Manager to ensure there is full understanding of solutions including the importance of installation location, how the device works and the information it can provide and, how the device data can be used as part of daily operations and within the on-farm decision making process.