Our Internet of Things (IoT) network is helping a clever technology trial take place in the paddocks at Marcus Oldham Farm Management College.
In-ground sensors are being used to monitor soil moisture and temperature in wheat trials to assist with making decisions about crop nutrition protection and yield.
The College have been investigating smart farming practices for some time and recently attended our IoT Kickstarter as part of Geelong Design Week 2021.
Utilising our Internet of Things (IoT) network which provides coverage to 90 percent of the city and is open to anyone they receive sensor data through a WiFi-like connection.
This allows the college to draw information into a platform for analysis in near-real-time and means they can gather intelligence without stepping foot in a field. It also enables the layering of other datasets like rainfall for even deeper insight.
Data-driven precision farming allows agricultural practises to be more controlled accurate and sustainable. Plants and animals get exactly the type of care and conditions they need to thrive and water and other resources can be used more efficiently.
Marcus Oldham students will be at the forefront of the agricultural production industry thanks to our backing of this technology.
We are proud to support this trial and encourage anyone interested in learning more to visit The Things Network Geelong.
Councillor Stephanie Asher - Mayor
Its great that the City is able to provide the extra support the College needed to begin the trial through the Geelong Design Week event.
It’s fantastic to see this group engaging with our Smart City work and utilising the technology we have on offer to make a difference in the community and to our environment.
Councillor Peter Murrihy - Chair of the Innovative Solutions portfolio
Its exciting to hear that IoT connectivity could be a potential game-changer for Australian farmers and producers.
This type of project is exactly what the Internet of Things and our whole Smart City Framework is about – delivering practical and innovative solutions to real life situations.
Andrew Etherton - Marcus Oldham College Agronomy Lecturer
Innovations in agtech are allowing for a more precise productive and resource-efficient approach.
It’s no longer just about planting the right crop in the right location at the right time we now have real data backing up these decisions.
After an episode of extreme heat or frost we have the immediate insight to know how this might affect yield potential and in turn likely income without the guesswork.