Autonomous spraying to preserve soil moisture in the northern Wheatbelt

S2E18 Autonomous spraying to preserve soil moisture in the northern Wheatbelt

2 October 202429:21

In this episode, Mullewa farmer John Flannagan and Tom Holcombe, Field Operations Lead at SwarmFarm Robotics, discuss the benefits of using SwarmFarm robots in WA’s northern wheatbelt.

John shares how the addition of two SwarmFarm robots, alongside a WEED-IT precision sprayer, has significantly reduced labour, chemical, and fuel costs on his family’s farm. The conversation highlights how these technologies have not only boosted operational efficiency but also helped conserve valuable soil moisture.

This episode is brought to you by the South-West WA Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub and is hosted by Shannon Beattie.

Episode links

Bots on the ground: farming’s new army – Groundcover (GRDC)

Additional links

Integrating long fallow into wheat-based cropping systems in Western Australia: Spatial pattern of yield and economic responses – ScienceDirect

Adaptation to climate change through strategic integration of long fallow into cropping system in a dryland Mediterranean-type environment – ScienceDirect

Fallow tool for the low-rainfall zone – Groundcover (GRDC)

Clocking up a week’s work in just one day – Groundcover (GRDC)

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Date Published

02/10/2024

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