Agriculture is one of the world’s oldest industries, with origins dating as far back as 6000BC. With billions of farmers collectively maintaining and developing ecological farming practices and technologies over time, it goes without saying that agricultural technology has been through its fair share of evolutions.
And just as the industrial age brought innovation to the agricultural sector in the form of tractors, so too have the information age and the digital age – the technological eras that have defined our lifetime.
The rapid evolution of digital technologies over the 21st century have revolutionised the way we use agricultural technologies today, so much so that we developed a new term for referring to the growing catalogue of digital agricultural technologies – because there’s a lot to cover!
So what is AgTech, and how are Aussie farmers utilising all the different types of digital agricultural technologies available to them today? Our AgTech specialists at Autonomous AG will be diving deep into these questions below.
What is AgTech? – Overview & Segments
From IIoT technologies like sensors to AI-powered AgBots, AgTech encompasses all technological innovations aimed at improving the efficiency, profitability and sustainability of agribusinesses.
There are different segments of AgTech, ranging from hardware to software and connected technologies, as well as the disciplines that support these technologies (i.e. data analytics, precision agricultural practices, etc.).
Here are the different types of AgTech innovations that are available to farmers worldwide today:
IIoT Devices & Sensor Technologies
In the agricultural sector, IIoT (‘industrial internet of things’) technologies often include sensors designed to monitor environmental conditions – think soil nutrient levels, pH levels, and irrigation and fertiliser activities.
IIoT in AgTech also includes eID for livestock tagging, smart irrigation systems, weather stations for climate monitoring, and GNSS base stations like the CHCNav iBase which supports farmers in RTK GPS positioning and field mapping.
Autonomous Tractors, Drones & Other Smart Equipment
IIoT devices are generally classified as either static or operable hardware – so they’re either ‘set and forget’ with recorded data being available from a connected app, or you can manually operate the hardware by using built-in buttons and displays. But agribusinesses also rely heavily on more large-scale operable equipment, like tractors and harvesters.
AgTech advancements have digitalised these larger-scale agricultural equipment types as well, with innovations like autonomous tractors, tractor autosteering systems for retrofit installation, and field drones for aerial crop monitoring, field mapping, and spraying.
Farm Management Platforms
IIoT and smart farm equipment are also designed to record their operational data, with this data information being available to users either via the equipment directly or through connected apps. This is where AgTech software comes into the picture.
SaaS developers in AgTech are constantly improving on their digital farm management tools, with new features being added into these centralised platforms every year. Today, most farm management platforms include farm accounting, resource management, and automation capabilities that allow you to develop and implement automated workflows across different connected IIoT technologies.
AI & Automation
Speaking of automated workflows, robotics are by no means new to the agriculture industry. In fact, innovations in AgBots actually paved the way for the development of robotics and AI for other industries, so robotics and agriculture go further back than you may think.
With farm management platforms connecting IIoT devices, however, AgTech now includes dynamic automation capabilities, designed to generate holistic performance data recorded across extensive workflows. With AI-powered IIoT tech and connected software, farmers can track operational performance across their entire production line, making it easier than ever before to track the full impact of each individual change to any of their processes.
Biotechnology & Genetic Innovations
A branch of agricultural science, biotechnology is also classified as a component of AgTech. From GM crops to optimising nutrient levels in feed for livestock, biotechnology in agriculture has already demonstrated a capability to improve crop resilience to pests and diseases, reduce pesticide usage, support animal health, and generally improve harvest yields by cultivating crops with desired characteristics.
With evolutions in agriscience equipment and advancements in genetic engineering, molecular diagnostics across crops has become easier and more accessible for agribusinesses. Biotechnology is particularly vital for Australian agricultural markets, as it allows Aussie farmers to cultivate more drought-tolerant crop varieties. With biotechnology and genetic innovations, we may even be able to start farming in the desert!
Benefits of AgTech for Aussie Farmers
As you can see, there are extensive benefits to adopting AgTech across both crop and livestock farming. Here are the main reasons why Aussie farmers are investing in the different types of AgTech we’ve outlined above.
Increased Efficiency & Productivity
Farm management platforms and IIoT farm equipment work together to provide real-time operational data for farmers and their teams. These data insights support farmers in making well-informed decisions relating to the operations and continuous improvement of their agricultural practices.
Sustainability & Environmental Impact
Yes, data-driven decision-making allows for faster resource optimisation, which means reduced operational costs, higher yields, and in turn, greater profit margins. But optimised resource management boasts one other crucial flow-on effect: a reduced environmental impact for your farm.
With Aussie farmers investing in climate-ready initiatives to adapt to evolving industry standards for sustainable practices, now is the perfect time to invest in AgTech as a foundational component of managing your farm’s climate impact.
Enhanced Worker Safety
With IIoT sensor technology, Aussie farmers can now accurately predict and manage agricultural risks like soil contamination – or even ecological events like landslides – by monitoring changes to soil quality and composition over time. Environmental monitoring also improves site safety for agricultural workers by ensuring labourers don’t work in identified high-risk areas until risk factors are addressed.
Similarly, technologies like autonomous tractors are also fitted with sophisticated obstruction sensors that can not only detect but also identify potential obstructions with improved accuracy. This means that if a human worker does happen to walk into the navigation path of an autonomous tractor, the smart machine will be able to automatically power down and send an alert to operators.
Emerging AgTech Strategies & Innovations
Like most digital transformation initiatives, AgTech investments must be made strategically to maximise on ROI (return on investment). This is why AgTech suppliers operating globally expertly curate their AgTech products to align with the needs of agribusiness owners.
Similarly, AgTech developers strive to continue delivering value with every product update, which is why farm management platforms have become so comprehensive. So what other innovations are on the horizon for AgTech?
Artificial Intelligence in AgTech
On top of enhancing AgBots, artificial intelligence in AgTech is also transforming farming through analytics and predictive modeling. Workflow automation and real-time data harvesting and interpretation through farm management platforms is also just one side of the coin when it comes to AI in AgTech.
There’s also variable rate technology, an innovation that typically utilises data derived from soil mapping or crop imagery to generate tailored rates for crop inputs (i.e. irrigation levels, fertiliser applications, soil treatments, etc.). With AI-powered farm management platforms providing a centralised monitoring point for all agricultural operations data, farmers can utilise variable rate technology to further improve their precision agricultural practices.
Blockchain, Data Management & Connectivity
Workflow automations are made possible by the use of blockchain technology. In the agricultural sector, blockchain technology can also be used to improve traceability and data management frameworks like farm data codes.
Blockchain technologies can also aid in supporting cybersecurity for farmers as their operations become more digitised. Using encryption methodologies and cloud computing, blockchain technology in agriculture can help Aussie farmers safeguard their operational data.
Automation, Robotics & Livestock Management Technologies
We’ve come a long way from PDAs and eID tags for managing livestock. Now, farmers can use AgBots to facilitate remote crop and field maintenance and even control livestock herding via the automated opening and closing of access gates.
These automation technologies provide similar use cases when it comes to pest control in the agricultural sector. With IIoT sensor tech and variable rate inputs, farmers can determine optimal pest management measures and optimise the application of pest management solutions (i.e. chemical treatments) to further support crop health without affecting soil or water runoff.
Climate Adaptation
And speaking of conserving soil and water quality, AgTech can also play a vital role in both minimising environmental impacts of agribusiness operations as well as ensuring farms can stay climate-ready. Utilising data insights and adopting precision agricultural practices can help Aussie farmers stay climate-adaptive, which will undoubtedly be key for ensuring the longevity of their farming operations over the decades to come.
Elevate your Farming Operations with AgTech
Before Aussie farmers can develop their own tailored actionable tactics to integrate AgTech for boosting productivity and profitability, they first need to understand AgTech offerings to determine what solutions are best suited for their business. Industry bodies and state and federal government offices provide resources to support farmers in utilising AgTech. A good place to start is with the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action’s AgTech eLearn series. This online learning resource is designed to enlighten farmers on the different types of AgTech and the use cases relating to different agricultural markets and practices.
You can also stay in the loop with AgTech innovations by attending industry tradeshows and other events. You can find our AgTech specialists at Autonomous AG attending tradeshows all across the country. Our local dealers can also offer more information on any of the AgTech products available in our range.
Wherever you are in your digital transformation journey, it’s never too early to seek expert advice – and we’re always here to help. Get in touch with our team at Autonomous AG now to learn more about any of our CHCNav and iQuus products or to gain insights into what tech may be best suited to your business.