Earlier this year the Government announced the launch of its first Internet of Things (IoT) farming trial in collaboration with the New Zealand IoT Alliance.
The trial demonstrates how digital technologies can improve NZ agriculture, making it more productive and competitive.
Today, NZ farmers supply 3% of the world’s dairy making N$16 billion in exports.
The challenge for the dairy industry is identifying ways to meet growing consumer demand while being cost-effective and environmentally sustainable.
Between today’s labour shortage and the rising demand for dairy, farmers across the globe are turning to technology in an effort to increase efficiency, operate sustainably and stay competitive in an increasingly crowded marketplace.
While NZ is structurally ready for IoT deployment the uptake is moving at a slower pace for many dairy farmers.
NZ has a low understanding of how the IoT can assist with farm management and low adoption of precision farming practices.
Though the IoT is in its infancy the agriculture industry can use it to improve productivity and efficiency.
Data analytics can provide farmers with actionable insights to better understand and manage their operations. From connected farms and soil-moisture sensors to autonomous tractors and livestock wearables, technology is changing industry practices at scale.
Farmers are continually looking for ways to streamline processes and reduce extra costs without affecting the welfare of their livestock. To help farmers navigate sustainable farming practices, real-time data can help guide best practices.
Dairy farmers can use sensor technology to collect environmental data and provide detailed information on livestock activity. Not only can farmers use the technology to maximise their return on investment but it can also provide visibility to keep herds safe and protected.
IoT can improve farming practices in a variety of ways.
Product quality – The faster milk is cooled the better its quality. IoT sensors can feed back temperature at each stage of milk flow to ensure the best possible product. And real-time alerts enable farmers to resolve problems quickly and minimise milk loss, which ultimately affects the bottom line.
Herd movements –The use of wearable sensor technology like solar-powered neck bands lets farmers manage herds remotely from their chosen mobile device. By monitoring locations and activity in real-time farmers can prevent problems caused by theft and missing livestock.
Health and wellbeing – IoT tagging can monitor a variety of factors that affect an animal’s overall health, including areas like individual weight, heat cycles and feeding patterns. Through real-time monitoring, active measures can be taken to prevent diseases that can negatively affect operation and livestock.
Sustainable practices – Real-time data can inform more sustainable farming practices, which is high on the industry agenda. For example, data collected from nitrate sensors in groundwater can monitor the collective levels of nitrates and can further support collaborative field management decisions.
There is an incredible amount of untapped potential for emerging technologies to solve wider agricultural challenges. Simply put, the IoT can help streamline processes and improve efficiencies, allowing farmers to make informed decisions that positively affect their bottom line.
Better use of IoT could create $446m in economic benefit for the farmers over the next 10 years.
However, to profit from these technologies the industry must create awareness and improve knowledge among the farming community.
NZ’s legacy in agriculture, combined with emerging technology presents an exciting opportunity for the sector. Smart farming enables improved food traceability, safety and optimisation – allowing for unprecedented industry growth for years to come.
George Wilson is Paessler’s Asia Pacific director.
