How can you make the most of new tools and technology? What’s out there that will provide real value to you and your farm? Don’t really know? Don’t worry, FAR’s new Technology, Tools and Machinery Research Strategy has been set up to find the answers.
In 2022, an AgriTech NZ survey showed that New Zealand’s arable sector is among the most willing in the primary industries to adopt digital technologies. However, barriers to adoption remain, most notably doubts over the suitability of technology for New Zealand conditions and a lack of proof of the return-on-investment. With this in mind, FAR's 2023-2028 Technology Strategy sets up a framework for FAR to independently evaluate potentially useful digital tools, technologies and machinery and share the results, so growers can decide what makes sense for their farm business.
The new strategy focuses on four areas: digital technologies, digital tools, precision ag and machinery.
Digital technology
Digital technology can collect, analyse and share information crucial for innovation and efficiency and have the potential to revolutionise agriculture by helping farmers work more precisely, efficiently and sustainably. Data-driven insights can improve decision-making and practices and help increase environmental performance while making farming jobs more attractive to younger generations. While future possibilities are endless for AI, automated machinery and robotics the requirement for connectivity, especially 5G, represents a genuine challenge, particularly in rural areas. FAR’s technology manager Chris Smith says that it is critical that FAR ensures all tools can be used with low bandwidth, intermittent or no internet connection. “This can be achieved through clever programming.”
Digital tools
Digital tools collect and analyse data and can help with agronomic decision making. FAR will identify, develop and evaluate a range of digital tools specifically for New Zealand arable growers.
Precision agriculture
Precision agriculture can improve crop input efficiencies and reduce environmental impacts, but its adoption in New Zealand arable is mixed, Chris says. There is widespread use of technologies such as tractor auto-steer and variable rate irrigation, but only low level uptake of other technologies that are widely used overseas, such as variable-rate seeding of arable crops, planting of maize, lime spreading and nitrogen application. “The New Zealand farmers that are most advanced in their use of Precision Ag technologies are as good as any in the world. This is especially true for water management.”
Machinery
Arable farming relies on costly machinery, often with limited seasonal use. FAR will help growers better understand the true cost of machinery ownership and how to use it efficiently.