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the australian farmer
growth trends and market prices help in optimal planting, irriga- tion and harvesting schedules. New state-of-the-art AI tools like Microsoft Copilot Researcher and Analyst are now able to rea- son over and identify patterns in complex and disparate data sets. Virtual fencing: A game- changer for extensive livestock management One of the most exciting innova- tions on the horizon is virtual fen- cing technology, which centres on livestock wearing collars that deliver a sound cue or electric pulse when approaching a virtual boundary defined by GPS. This approach, which originates from the 1970s but was only commer- cialised in the last decade or so, allows livestock to be managed sustainably by concentrating ani- mals in small areas for short per- iods, then moving them to allow the land to recover. AI could soon monitor animal movement patterns, detect when fresh grazing is needed, and automatically relocate herds— potentially integrating satellite DID YOU KNOW A recent study on sheep at University of Melbourne was able to produce AI models to assess heat stress based on biometrics, such as heart rate, skin temperature and respiration rate of animals from an integrated visible and infrared thermal camera automatically. ?
imagery to assess feed availabil- ity. In emergencies such as floods or fires, livestock could be moved to safety without the need for expensive helicopters or putting lives at risk. Likewise mustering costs can be reduced. For farm- ers who have lost infrastructure due to floods, virtual fencing may offer a cost-effective alternative to traditional fencing, revolutio- nising extensive grazing systems. Looking ahead The future of ag-tech is brimming with possibilities. From AI-driven farm management to regenera- tive practices and virtual fen- cing, technology is reshaping agriculture in ways we once only imagined. As we continue to in- novate, one thing remains clear: the key to success lies in harness- ing technology to work with na- ture, not against it.
ditions—detecting floods, fires, and crop health with unpreced- ented precision. The ability to react quickly to emerging threats to the farm can significantly re- duce remediation costs. Artificial intelligence (AI) is set to play a pivotal role in farm management in this country in the coming decade and be- yond, proactively analysing data from across the property and providing alerts when potential issues arise. This will save time, effort, and money, allowing farmers to focus on high value activities rather than reactive problem-solving. Farming in harmony with nature When I completed my agriculture degree in 1990, at Seale-Hayne College in southwest England, my then crop lecturer Professor David Iley shared a vision: “We need to farm in harmony with nature.” Today, that philosophy is gaining traction through re- generative agriculture. Our understanding of the soil microbiome, the gut microbiome in humans and animals, genetics and genomics, and the inter- connectedness of natural cycles is driving more sustainable farm- ing practices. Cloud computing’s virtually unlimited power for data storage and processing is help- ing solve complex agricultural challenges, enabling farmers to optimise their operations while preserving the environment For example, predictive analytics of weather, soil conditions, crop
Peter Schmidt , based in Perth WA, is Senior Consultant at multi- national IT services and consult- ing company DXC Technology.
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