Smart FARM Technology
Water
What are Dendrometers used for?
Dendrometers are precision-based, multi-purpose sensors that measure plant growth, water status, and health. They can monitor small expansions and contractions in plant tissue over a daily cycle, several days, weeks and even months. This makes them useful tools for irrigation and fertigation management.
Dendrometers are versatile, non-destructive, easy to install and maintain. They can be installed on trunks, stems, branches, or fruits, to provide valuable insights into plant growth dynamics.
How does the SuniTAFE SMART Farm use Dendrometers?
The SMART Farm has 11 sensors on selected plants, which continuously monitor micro-variations of trunk and stem diameter. These measurements provide us with scientifically proven stress indicators. The data is transmitted in real time to the ‘cloud’ for further analytics, which assists us with irrigation planning.
We have made changes to our irrigation scheduling as a result of the data we’ve collected from the Dendrometers. For example, we were once under-watering our dried fruit and over-watering our olives and almonds. Now we have targeted irrigation in these plantings. We have also placed a Dendrometer to assist with the irrigation needs of our newly planted citrus trees.
SuniTAFE’s Horticulture and Agriculture courses now use dendrometer as we transition our training towards SMART Farming.
What are Water Level Sensors used for?
Water Level Sensors are hydrostatic devices that measure water levels by sensing the pressure of the water above. They provide a remote water monitoring solution to keep track of water levels through stored reports and real-time notifications.
Alerts are sent via mobile SMS and email when maximum or minimum water levels are breached. The alert triggers are set via the MyFarmbot platform, which reliably collects, stores, and reports data from multiple monitoring locations, from anywhere, anytime.
How does the SuniTAFE SMART Farm use the Water Level Sensor?
The Water Level Sensor has assisted the SuniTAFE SMART Farm and education divisions to better manage water resources. As our water supply is used to irrigate field and student-grown crops, there have been times when the quantity of water was not sufficient to meet our demands. The sensor provides an indication when tank levels are low and acts as a prompt to order more water, ensuring we don’t run out of water during peak times of irrigation.
Our courses in Horticulture and Agriculture now use Water Level Sensors as we transition to SMART farming.
What are Irrigation System Controllers used for?
The Irrigation System and Controller is state-of-the-art technology used only by professional growers in nursery and hydroponics.
They capture weather, soil, sunlight and humidity data. Their full fertigation ability enables the addition of nutrients to correct deficiencies detected in plant tissue analysis, including Electrical Conductivity (EC) and Potential of Hydrogen (pH) adjustments. They also have capacity for irrigation automation across all aspects of irrigation system operations.
How does the SuniTAFE SMART Farm use the Irrigation System Controller?
We apply our Irrigation System Controller to our educational resources, so students can gain hands-on experience through using the technology in our Horticulture and Agriculture courses. This is specifically applicable in the Nursery units, where students and teachers can analyse and manage all aspects of growing plants.
Our courses in Horticulture and Agriculture now use Irrigation System Controllers as we transition to SMART farming.
What are Drill and Drop Moisture Probes used for?
Drill and Drop Moisture Probes are configured either with soil moisture or temperature sensors to measure volumetric water content and temperature at 10cm intervals. Soil profile data is accessed through a web-based platform where data sent from the moisture monitoring equipment can be analysed.
They take around 5 minutes to install and can be completely buried to reduce the risk of machinery damage. They are used for vegetable crops, fruit and nut trees, vines, berries, research projects and landscape management.
How does the SuniTAFE SMART Farm use the Drill and Drop Moisture Probe?
The SMART Farm’s Drill and Drop probes accurately measure soil moisture, temperature and salinity, so students have access to the technology and how it can be applied on a working farm. The information provided by the probes assists with irrigation scheduling for our wine grapes.
Our courses in Horticulture and Agriculture now use Drill and Drop Moisture Probes as we transition to SMART farming.
Insects and Pests
What are Pest Detection Traps used for?
Relying on manually monitoring pest traps is time-consuming, resource-intensive, and risky because the damage has already been done. Pest Detection Traps provide accurate on-farm pest detection and forecasts in real time.
An inbuilt instant alert system shows when and where pests are active, allowing for a rapid response. The Internet of Things (IoT) sensor technology provides exceptional pest detection accuracy and the traps are low maintenance.
How does the SuniTAFE SMART Farm use the Pest Detection Trap?
The SuniTAFE SMART Farm uses a mobile app which clearly displays pest activity. Students and teachers can log forthcoming orchard spray events and determine if (and when) the farm’s pest management actions are working.
The mobile app allows students to have hands-on experience in interpreting the data and keeping track of pest management on the farm.
Fortunately, the SMART Farm has not had a high incidence of fruit fly through our partnership in this project with DFA (Dried Fruits Australia) and GSPFA (Greater Sunraysia Pest Free AP.
Our courses in Horticulture and Agriculture now use Pest Detection Traps as we transition to SMART farming.
What are Insect Traps used for?
Insect Traps have integrated electronics (camera system, modem, power source with solar panel) and sticky plates that can be hung wherever needed in the field. They are low in weight, self-sufficient, and powered by a solar panel and battery. Their 10 MP camera takes high-resolution pictures of the sticky plate within the trap.
The system overall combines an optical high-resolution camera with computer vision software, which can recognize insects from photos. The camera system is embedded inside the insect trap, to remotely monitor insect pressure on the farm.
Images are sent to the ‘cloud’ where they are analysed with Artificial Intelligence (AI) software. The results are then visible on the web or mobile devices, including summarised data of the daily count, targets in total, and development of insect population during the season. Control is real-time and the collected data can be used for further analysis.
How does the SuniTAFE SMART Farm use the Insect Trap?
We currently use insect traps in our citrus grove. During our educational training and farm operations, students and teachers use this technology to catch insects with insect-specific pheromone lures (codling moth, European grape berry moth, tomato leafminer and many other species).
Our courses in Horticulture and Agriculture now use Insect Traps as we transition to SMART farming.
Equipment
What are Tractors used for?
Tractors are essential on farms and the SuniTAFE Tractor is equipped with technology to improve productivity and efficiency.
An automatic data flow connection and command centre enable remote display access, allowing qualified technicians to connect virtually to the cab. A weather station can automatically record and collate real-time farm data.
The tractor also has auto-steer capability and a Real-Time Kinematic (RTK) that improves base station signal coverage, so manoeuvring around trees can be accomplished with a 2cm accuracy.
How does the SuniTAFE SMART Farm use the Tractor?
The Tractor is used in SuniTAFE’s Horticulture and Agriculture courses, specifically units such as Operate Tractors, Operate Machinery and Equipment, and Operate Precision Control units.
Our courses in Horticulture and Agriculture use Tractors as we transition to SMART farming.
What are Farmbots used for?
This robotic farming machine can perform almost all processes prior to harvesting, such as sowing, mechanical weed control, and watering. All it requires is power, an internet connection, and a water supply.
Farmbots have a robotic frame that sits on top of a garden bed. The robotic frame changes tools to perform different applications. This is run from an app platform to allow scheduled growth of different crops.
How does the SuniTAFE SMART Farm use the Farmbot?
The Farmbot is an educational resource for students and teachers in our Horticulture and Agriculture course. Units such as Implement Plant Establishment and Plant Horticulture Crops gain hands-on learning with Farmbots.
Our courses in Horticulture and Agriculture now use Farmbots as we transition to SMART farming.
What are Spray Demonstration Tables used for?
A Spray Demonstration Table is used to enhance training presentations in pesticide and weedicide applications for safer and more effective results. They replicate chemical application and calibration, which is the process of measuring and adjusting the amount of pesticide your equipment will apply over a target area.
The Spray Demonstration Table allows operation of different spray nozzles and pressure adjustments on variable speed pumps.
How does the SuniTAFE SMART Farm use the Spray Demonstration Table?
SuniTAFE uses the Spray Demonstration Table as an educational resource during Horticulture and Agriculture training at the SMART Farm. Through using the Table, students can see different perspectives of various spray nozzle characteristics.
Our courses in Horticulture and Agriculture now use a Spray Demonstration Table as we transition to SMART farming.
Imagery
What are Drones and Cameras used for?
A very simple description of a drone is that it is a flying computer with a camera or sensor attached.
Drones have two basic functions: flight mode and navigation. To fly, drones must have a power source, such as a battery. They also have rotors, propellers and a frame. Cameras typically have between three and six lenses, with each lens collecting a different wavelength of light.
A drone is the ultimate platform for aerial productivity.
How does the SuniTAFE SMART Farm use the Drone and Camera?
Several SuniTAFE SMART Farm teachers have their pilots license, which enables them to fly our drone.
Our students and teachers have found that the images captured for vegetation mapping can help growers make informed decisions. When used with the mica sense camera, the aerial images provide a multispectral picture of the property and can identify irregularities in our crops, like irrigation leaks.
Ground truthing practices - the gathering of real or true information provided by direct observation and measurement - are applied at the SuniTAFE SMART Farm to complement the aerial view. We can then head to the patch of interest to identify where the issues are as they are not always visible with the naked eye.
Our courses in Horticulture and Agriculture now use Drone and Camera as we transition to SMART farming.
What are Camera Systems used for?
Camera systems are used for remote crop growth monitoring and modelling - of fruit size, plant development, and growth. They are also used for yield forecasting to assist with harvest logistics.
Powered by a solar panel and a battery, a self-sufficient camera system with integrated electronics (camera, modem, power source with solar panel) can be installed wherever necessary. A 10 MP camera takes high-resolution pictures of your field, crop or fruit.
Images are sent via mobile network to the ‘cloud’ where they are analysed with automatic detection of fruit. The results are then visible on web or mobile devices.
How does the SuniTAFE SMART Farm use the Camera System?
During our training and farm operations at the SuniTAFE SMART Farm, we use this device for citrus fruits. We can see a photo and the measurements of fruit diameters and, since control is ‘real-time’, the collected data can be used for further analysis.
The results aid our logistics in terms of harvest labour and resource needs, as we have an indication of yield and maturity (based on colour). This year (2022) will be the first season for its use in our orange grove.
Our courses in Horticulture and Agriculture now use the Camera System as we transition to SMART farming.
Weeds
What are Weedicide Units used for?
The Weedicide Unit is a herbicide sprayer that uses advanced optics and computers to detect weeds, combining boiling water and saturated steam at low pressure to kill weeds.
When weeds are hit using the hand-held wand, they are cooked instantly. This leaves behind a chemical-free mulch for soil organisms to feed on. As a result, soil health improves over time.
How does the SuniTAFE SMART Farm use the Weedicide Unit?
The Weedicide Unit allows Horticulture and Agriculture students and teachers at the SuniTAFE SMART Farm to use mixtures of different herbicide groups. These herbicide groups may be currently too expensive to apply in a blanket application. This will prolong the life of existing herbicides and reduce resistance in weed populations, greatly improving sustainability of cropping systems.
Our courses in Horticulture and Agriculture now use the Weedicide Unit as we transition to SMART farming.
What are Weed Spot Sprayers used for?
Using advanced optics and processing power, the weed spot sprayer detects and eliminates resistant weeds. When a weed passes underneath the sensor it signals its linked spray nozzle to precisely deliver herbicide and kill the weed, reducing the amount of chemical applied by up to 90%.
The Weed Spot Sprayer reduces herbicide costs and drift, decreasing the chemical load on the environment and saving water.
How does the SuniTAFE SMART Farm use the Weed Spot Sprayer?
Students and teachers at the SuniTAFE SMART Farm use the Weed Spot Sprayer as an education resource. During training, they can make the conscious choice to help reduce the widespread use of toxic chemical weed killers by only applying herbicide when a weed passes under the sensor.
Instead of spraying our entire field, the chemical is emitted only when the optical sensor identifies a ‘green’ source, like green weeds on the orchard and vineyard floor.
Not only does the SuniTAFE SMART Farm benefit environmentally from the weed spot spraying system, it also saves money on weed control.
Our courses in Horticulture and Agriculture now use the Weed Spot Sprayer as we transition to SMART farming.
Data
What are Weather Stations used for?
Weather Stations monitor data with a wide variety of sensor sets. These sensors capture valuable information, including temperature, rainfall, radiance, wind speed and direction, and relative humidity.
The weather station measures, logs and sends data to the ‘cloud’. Through web and mobile applications, growers reap the benefits of real time meteorological data.
How does the SuniTAFE SMART Farm use the Weather Station?
Students and teachers at the SuniTAFE SMART Farm can analyse data provided by the Weather Station sensors, including: evapotranspiration, air temperature, dew point, relative humidity, precipitation, global radiation, wind speed, leaf wetness and temperature, and frost warnings.
A critical aspect in production at the SuniTAFE SMART Farm is weather and climate data, as it aids in both yield and quality of the fruit grown. We can also use this data to assist in our irrigation scheduling in the vines.
Additionally, the Weather Station is positioned in the Chardonnay patch at the SuniTAFE SMART Farm, providing added data to a disease modelling project. This allows us to determine the likelihood of a disease outbreak (a consequence of weather factors including sun intensity, temperature and humidity).
Our courses in Horticulture and Agriculture now use the Weather Station as we transition to SMART farming.
What are Soil Moisture and Plant Health Platforms used for?
Soil Moisture and Plant Health Platforms provide accurate data for a range of areas, including: soil moisture monitoring at various depths, EC (salt) at various depths and temperature, Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) reading for the area planting, crop factor and future forecast of weather.
How does the SuniTAFE SMART Farm use the Soil Moisture and Plant Health Platform?
Students and teachers use the platform as an educational resource in our Horticulture and Agriculture courses. Specifically, the platform’s device is installed in the student vegetable patch.
Our courses in Horticulture and Agriculture now use the Soil Moisture and Plant Health Platform as we transition to SMART farming.
What are Work Health and Safety Digital Systems used for?
A farm-based Work Health and Safety digital system is used for various training units involving Work Health and Safety (WHS). The system is used for the development and access of WHS policies and procedures such as: Occupational Health and Safety (OHS), Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), Safe Work Procedures (SWP) and risk assessments.
Available as an app or via a web-based version on a desktop, the WHS Digital System is a tool that helps manage safety and compliance obligations, digitise record keeping and simplify the reporting process.
How does the SuniTAFE SMART Farm use the Work Health and Safety Digital System?
The SuniTAFE SMART Farm uses the WHS Digital System as part of day-to-day operations, and during educational training.
For example, all chemical and spray records are entered into the WHS Digital System. As sprays are applied on the SuniTAFE SMART Farm, we can update our inventory of chemicals on site. This assists in ordering chemical stock (rather than over-ordering supplies and storing excessive quantities on site).
The SuniTAFE SMART Farm also benefits from the system’s ability to list risks and triage repair and maintenance scheduling.
Our courses in Horticulture and Agriculture now use the Work Health and Safety digital system as we transition to SMART farming.