AI and machine learning weeding out barriers to tech for SA farmers

New technological developments are helping to take the pressure off the state’s farmers

Agtech by Design is leading the way in the use of AI and machine learning. Picture: Supplied

Technological developments including artificial intelligence and machine learning are changing the face of farming across Australia, with more farmers now relying on agtech than ever before.

“Technology is critical when it comes to agriculture, particularly the grain industry,” Grain Producers SA CEO Brad Perry said “There a range of technology used in agriculture, from small tech such as apps on your mobile phone to collect data, to using satellites for GPS in machinery.”

The challenge, Mr Perry said, is the need for better connectivity in remote and regional parts of the country. “Many properties run in black spots,” Mr Perry said. “While farmers are on their machinery, they’re collecting data and they need a full data set to be able to make business decisions. If there are black spots, it doesn’t give them the complete information they need.”

Affordability is another challenge for many farmers struggling with the rising costs of running a business. “There’s a lot of connectivity solutions being commercialised but not all are affordable, particularly for the average farmer,” Mr Perry said.

Agtech by Design co-founder and chief technology officer Ben Pankhurst understands the importance of reliable connectivity. The business is leading the way in the use of AI and machine learning in the agriculture sector with its Weed Selector system, an ultra-versatile targeted sprayer which identifies and sprays farmland weeds while using less chemicals.

The business relies on fibre optic cable from NBN to support product research and development. “With our AI and machine learning products, we have to train models which means taking thousands of photos of weeds and feeding that into a remote infant server,” Mr Pankhurst said. “Being able to interact with our server over a high-speed broadband connection to generate model files, download software and do day-to-day operations has been vital.

“Building anything that is remotely complicated and designed to operate in harsh environments is a massive task. Having the NBN to be able to get quick results from the internet, I’ve Zoom chatted with engineers in the US while sitting in a shed in the middle of Outback Riverland. It’s incredible.”