Grower Group Alliance
Grower Group Alliance

Agtech decoded: growers critically analysing the role of new technology in on-farm decision making

Project overview

A range of technologies have been developed in the agricultural industry that provide growers with new insights into their farm businesses and have potential to improve efficiencies and productivity.
However, these technologies often have limitations and farmers often lack the time, tools and skills to process data from multiple different sources to effectively utilise them.

This project was designed to assist growers to better understand the opportunities presented by the latest digital technologies and how they can address farming system challenges and improve in-season decision making when faced with a variable climate.

The project monitored fourteen paddocks equipped with soil moisture and weather monitoring technology, and combined the data collected with CSIRO technology and digital farm records. The integration of these technologies enabled real-time decision-making, allowing growers to promptly address agronomic issues and optimise yields in paddocks with limited water-potential.

Impacts and results

The Agtech Decoded project has enhanced on-farm resilience by implementing digital technologies, improving management practices, and fostering a more interconnected community among farmers, researchers, and industry representatives.

Surveys and workshops conducted as part of the project revealed that farmers are willing adopters of technology, using an average of seven different digital tools.

Weather information and climate forecasts were highly sought after, while challenges included data integration and data interpretation issues, and the lack of technology support. Technologies with a clear use case and value proposition were more valued by growers, particularly for critical management decisions related to crop planting, nutrition, soil management, and pest control.

This project was funded by the Australian Government’s Agricultural Innovation Hubs Program and was initiated through the South-West WA Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub.

Cover photo: AGSOCIAL

Paddocks of participating growers were equipped with soil moisture and weather monitoring technology. Photo: AGSOCIAL
Liebe Group growers and WildEye staff standing in front of soil moisture probes at Brad McIlroy's property. Photo: Liebe Group
Project planning meeting at the Liebe Group office, August 2022. Participants included host growers, CSIRO, DPIRD and Farmanco. Photo: Liebe Group
 Liebe Group grower workshop, March 2023.  Participants included host growers, Liebe Group staff, CSIRO, DPIRD and GGA staff. Photo: Liebe Group

FAQs

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News

  • Article, E&A training

Extension and adoption training wraps up for 2026

Last week, we wrapped up another round of our Extension and Adoption Training Program, delivered through GGA’s capacity building program. This year’s program brought together 45 grower group staff, industry consultants, and extension and research professionals to strengthen their skills in supporting farmers to adopt new practices.
Read more
  • Article, Field Notes

Reflections from the Collaborate Innovate Conference

The Collaborate Innovate Conference covered a wide range of sectors and themes, and several messages had strong relevance for the Future Drought Fund Drought Hubs Program and for agriculture more broadly.
Read more
  • Article, PropaGATE

New technology could save WA brewers thousands in wastewater costs

Like most breweries connected to the mains sewer system, Spinifex Brewing pays to have its wastewater treated based on how much it produces and how "dirty" it is. A new treatment system being trialled through the PropaGATE project, co-funded by the SW WA Hub, could offer a more cost-effective solution.
Read more
  • Article, Regional Nodes, Transformation Murdoch

Enhancing water use efficiency in wheat: SMART SPRAYS demos

Murdoch University and the Bioplastics Innovation Hub ran demonstrations at three spring field days for their Hub-supported project SMART SPRAYS - maximising the benefits from rainfall. The trials highlighted how these materials can capture and retain water, potentially reducing evaporation losses and redirecting rainfall to where crops need it most.
Read more
  • Article, Innovation Farmanco, PropaGATE, Regional Nodes, Showcase, Transformation Murdoch, Transformation Whole, X-hub Contour Consulting

Watch the presentations from the Drought Resilience Showcase

The SW WA Hub's Drought Resilience Showcase 2024 brought together farmers, grower groups, researchers, agribusinesses, and government agencies who are committed to enhancing the resilience of Western Australia’s agricultural sector. Watch the video recordings from the day's presentation.
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  • Article, Transformation Murdoch

SMART SPRAYS project teams up with UK scientists

Professor Daniel Murphy, from Murdoch University, travelled to the United Kingdom last month to collaborate with Dr Emily Cooledge and fellow soil scientists within Professor Davey Jones' laboratory at Bangor University, Wales, as part of the SW WA Hub’s Transformational SMART SPRAYS project.
Read more
  • Article, Transformation ECU, Transformation Farmanco, Transformation Murdoch, Transformation UWA dams, Transformation UWA Natural Capital, Transformation Whole

Transformational projects make strides towards agricultural resilience in WA

Six transformational projects led by the SW WA Hub and funded through the Future Drought Fund (FDF) are making meaningful strides toward long-term agricultural resilience in Western Australia.
Read more
  • Media Release, Innovation Farmanco, PropaGATE, Regional Nodes, Showcase, Transformation Murdoch, Transformation Whole, X-hub Contour Consulting

The South-West WA Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub Hosts Successful Showcase and Field Tour

The South-West WA Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub hosted its inaugural Showcase and Field Tour on Wednesday and Thursday 11-12 December 2024. The event brought together farmers, grower groups, researchers, agribusinesses, and government agencies who are committed to enhancing the resilience of Western Australia’s agricultural sector.
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  • Article, Regional Nodes, Transformation Murdoch

SMART SPRAYS project featured in Facey Group’s ‘Drought Resilience in Action’ webinar series

In December 2024, Facey Group, the South-Eastern Wheatbelt Node of the SW WA Hub, invited PhD student Samantha Viljoen on their Drought Resilience in Action webinar series to talk about the SMART SPRAYS project. The video recording is now available.
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Resources

  • Podcast
6 March 2024

Enhancing water use efficiency in wheat: SMART SPRAYS demos

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Read more
  • Video
6 March 2024

Enhancing water use efficiency in wheat: SMART SPRAYS demos

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.

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  • Case study
6 March 2024

Enhancing water use efficiency in wheat: SMART SPRAYS demos

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.

Read more
  • Podcast

Putting real-time water usage data into the hands of horticulturalists

Declining rainfall and reduced water availability since the 1970s have made efficient water use in food production more important than ever. In this episode, Dr Julia Easton and Professor Mark Gibberd from the Centre for Crop Disease Management at Curtin University discuss the On Farm Water Demand project, funded through the WA Node of Food Agility CRC.
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  • Podcast

Getting the most out of on-farm technologies

Smart Farms coordinator for Stirlings to Coast Farmers, Phil Honey, Principal Research Scientist at CSIRO, Roger Lawes, and Latham farmer, Dylan Hirsch, talk about the role of digital technologies in agricultural businesses and how they can address farming system challenges and improve in-season decision making when faced with a variable climate.
Read more

Additional resources

Collaborators

Project Team

Professor Dan Murphy

Murdock University

Lucy Tomassini

Drought Hub

Samantha Vijoen

Smart Sprays

Alex Gulizia

Smart Sprays

Contact

This project is being overseen by Professor Daniel Murphy, from Murdoch University, as part of the Bioplastic Innovation Hub, a partnership with CSIRO.

Neil Lantzke

Senior Research Scientist, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD)
neil.lantzke@dpird.wa.gov.au
08 9368 3269

Lucy Tomassini

Project Manager, South-West WA Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub
lucy.tomassini@gga.org.au

Start date:
23/06/2022
End date:
31/01/2024
Status:
Project lead:
Liebe Group
Funder:
DAFF – Innovation Expansion Grants
Partners:
Stirlings to Coast Farmers, CSIRO
Hub role:
Project sponsor, Project management
Commodity:
Broadacre cropping, Dairy, Horticulture and viticulture, Livestock, Mixed farming
Resilience type:
Economic, Environmental
Relevant region:
Lower South West, Wheatbelt
  • Start date:23/06/2022
  • End date:31/01/2024
  • Status Completed
  • Project lead:Liebe Group
  • Hub role:Project sponsor, Project management
  • Commodity: Broadacre cropping, Dairy, Horticulture and viticulture, Livestock, Mixed farming
  • Resilience type: Economic, Environmental
  • Relevant region: Lower South West, Wheatbelt