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Broadacre On-Farm Connectivity Knowledge Hub


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This Broadacre On Farm Connectivity Knowledge Hub provides information and education around digital needs, technology choice, and the decisions farmers need to make about their business before choosing a technology option and solution. The aim is to demystify technology by placing the farmer’s need at the centre of the technology discussion. 

What is on-farm connectivity?

On-farm connectivity is the ability for farm businesses to have connectivity across their whole farm, fence-to-fence, to enable digital agriculture. Your whole farm business and systems can be connected to provide better control, visibility, and management where and when you need it. This in turn increases efficiency, productivity, and incremental gains on-farm.

What does a fully connected farm mean?

Connectivity over farmland can be likened to conduit - it enables seamless communication, data exchange, and control among various components, equipment, and processes on-farm.  

A fully connected farm has various elements of the farming process, seamlessly linked through digital connectivity. This includes the integration of IoT sensors, AgriTech, data-sharing across devices, machines and platforms, and remote monitoring capabilities. The primary goal is to create an integrated and data-rich farm ecosystem that allows farmers to make informed decisions in real-time, improving the efficiency and productivity of the farm while minimising waste and resource use. 

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How does connectivity work with my farm machinery?
  • Full Wi-Fi capabilities across your farmland so you can make a call, send an SMS or access the internet from the field, keeping you connected, safe. Improving on-farm productivity and wellbeing.  
  • Planting and harvest accuracy is improved with RTK correction over IP. Our coverage allows all your machinery and on-board precision farming systems to work at maximum effectiveness. 
  • Connected machinery allows data casting so you know what is happening and where it is happening across the farm in real-time. 
  • On-board technology and software reach their full potential with connectivity. So, you can make the most of your machine’s on-board precision systems and technologies with real-time data and full integration. 
  • Allows real-time access to yield mapping, particularly grain moisture and protein content that enables instant decision making for grain storage and blending. 
  • Monitoring of activity and on-farm data collection can be performed in real-time. 
What are the benefits when my farm is fully connected?
  • Data collection: Connectivity enables data from sensors to be continuously collected and transmitted in real-time to a central database or cloud-based platform. This allows for the monitoring of conditions and activities across the farm.  
  • Remote monitoring and control: Farmers and farm managers can access real-time data and control farm equipment remotely through their smartphones or computers. This enables them to make informed decisions and adjustments faster and more efficiently. 
  • Automation: Automation systems can be implemented to control various farm operations. For example, irrigation systems can be automated based on soil moisture data, reducing water waste. 
  • Data & predictive analytics: The collected data is analysed using advanced analytics tools. This can provide insights into crop health, equipment efficiency, and overall farm performance. Predictive modeling can be used to forecast future conditions and optimise resource allocation. For example, predicting pest outbreaks or optimal planting times. 
  • Efficiency: Connectivity can be used to optimise resource use on farm in real-time to maximise productivity. 
  • Supply chain integration: Fully connected farms can be connected to their supply chain suppliers and buyers, enabling better coordination. 
  • Safety and security: Connectivity can enhance farm safety and security by providing real-time monitoring of critical data and staff can communicate anywhere, anytime. 
  • Compliance and record keeping: Being fully connected on-farm can also simplify regulatory compliance and record-keeping by automating the collection and reporting of required data. 
What else can I do to improve my farm operation with connectivity?

Connected Farms understands that farmers need connectivity where they spend most of their time – out in their fields - and there are a range of solutions that do just that.

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Broadband connectivity Comparison Chart Graph (copy right)

 


Project Updates

Producer Technology Uptake Program

A pilot project at a grain producer’s farm on lower Eyre Peninsula is paving the way for future connectivity through a collaboration between Grain Producers SA (GPSA) and AgriFutures Australia.

GPSA has been awarded funding through AgriFutures Australia’s ‘Producer Technology Uptake Program’ for a project delivered by tailored agricultural connectivity specialist, Connected Farms.

GPSA Chief Executive Officer Brad Perry said the project will showcase a large non-contiguous Eyre Peninsula grain property with a fully integrated connectivity system.

See below for updates about this program and trial throughout the season.

August 2023

The installation of Connected Farms Satellite on the Move (SOTM) technology began in August on the Farm's machinery fleet for the upcoming harvest season. GPSA and Connected Farms also ran a demonstration day showcasing the technology and program on August 28 for local farmers to experience the connectivity speeds and early results that the trial farm were experiencing. 

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Some of the individuals involved in the project.

From left to right: Shane Gale (GPSA), Keith Howland (Emmetts), Tom Andrews (Connected Farms), Peter Glover (Farmer).

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The line up of some of the newly installed SOTM technology on John Deere farm machinery at the trial farm. 

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Aerial image of some of the SOTM installed onto the John Deere machinery and service ute.

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Demonstration hosted by GPSA, Connected Farms, and the trial farm to showcase the SOTM technology and Producer Technology Uptake Program.

October 2023

South Australian Country Hour reported on The Producer Technology Project, listen to it to learn more.

November 2023

GPSA, AgriFutures Australia and Connected Farms - producer technology uptake program video highlight.

Hear from Grain Producers SA, CEO Brad Perry, Westbrooke Ag Farmers Peter & Zac Glover, and Connected Farms CEO, Tom Andrews about this program, the connectivity challenges faced by broadacre famers in South Australia and how this connectivity technology is benefiting broadacre operations.

Producer Technology Uptake Program Demonstration Day with Connected Farms and Grain Producers SA.

In late August 2023 Connected Farms and Grain Producers SA hosted a demonstration day, showcasing the connectivity technology being trialed through AgriFutures producer technology uptake funding program on Westbrooke Farm on the Eyre Peninsula. Hear from Connected Farms CEO, Tom Andrews, about why these demonstration days are so important for the industry and farmers.

February 2024

Post Harvest Video Update.

Hear from Grain Producers SA, CEO Brad Perry and Westbrooke Ag Farmer Peter Glover about how this LEO Satellite on the move Wi-Fi connectivity benefited harvest operations and the efficiency and productivity gains it created.



Producer Technology Uptake Program

Objectives 

The primary objective is ‘Connecting the Un-Connected’ farmer or agribusiness. The Connected Farms Satellite on the move solution allows farmers to connect anywhere, anytime across their entire farm by taking the equipment with them, mounted on their vehicle, tractor, machinery. This enables voice, mobile and data connectivity, data-intensive robotics, automation and more intensive precision farming functions. 

The secondary objective is to drive adoption and increase productivity and efficiencies through integration of current and new on-machine and nearby digital applications, devices and technologies.  

The third objective is to accelerate the farmer along the digital adoption pathway through the ability to make real-time decisions and communicating them to the farm operations instantly – an example would be a reaction to change in wind direction from an on-farm weather station allowing “stop spray” decision to be made and enacted before that change of wind direction is near the sprayer – enabling active prevention of spray drift. 

The fourth objective is to provide farmers with information and knowledge they need to overcome technology adoption barriers and make informed choices to assist their digital adoption pathway.  


It's a collaborative effort from:

Connected Farms

Connected Farms is New South Wales based, Australian-owned company providing on-farm connectivity solutions across Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. Connected Farms was formed to specifically provide wide area mobile broadband solutions to the agriculture sector with the vision of connecting farmers and enabling digital agriculture.  

At Connected Farms, we are passionate about sharing our story and the difference fast and reliable connectivity has made to our rural customers' business operations and family life.

Grain Producers SA

Grain Producers SA is the peak industry body representing the 4,500 grain farming businesses in South Australia.

GPSA were awarded the Producer Technology Uptake Program by AgriFutures Australia and are working collaboratively with Connected Farms to deliver the program.

 

AgriFutures Australia

This project is supported by funding from AgriFutures Australia in partnership with Grain Producers SA and Connected Farms.