Precision Agriculture’s founding director Andrew Whitlock told farmers at the Riverine Plains and Murray Local Land Services-supported workshop “Making Big Data Pay” the cost of damage done this year for some had been significant.

“We have seen some paddocks completely flooded and many others have wet areas on the side of hills and in low-lying country,” he said.

“In the past we have seen this type of damage cost up to $1200 per hectare in lost production. 

“In any season it is important to focus on the key two or three things that will have the biggest impact on production and for many farmers this year that includes dealing with excess water.”

Mr Whitlock said precision farming techniques can play a role in surface water management, reducing waterlogging and improving potential yield.

“Waterlogging is usually predictable and by collecting elevation data we can model contours and pinpoint ideal locations for drainage,” he said.

“Surface water management plans integrate upstream catchment effects, soil type, paddock layout, slope and the ability to safely direct water flows.

“The resulting strategic farm-through spoon drains offer a powerful insurance policy against years such as this.”

Mr Whitlock also said that next to waterlogging, variable rate management of farm inputs was top of the list for farmers looking at precision farming techniques.

Earlier this year Precision Agriculture’s research showed that 29 per cent of land it had surveyed across southern NSW and parts of Victoria did not require lime at all but 26 per cent required more than a standard traditional rate of two tonnes a hectare.

“Using what you need and where means your land is getting what it needs for optimum productivity and you only need buy what you require,” Mr Whitlock said.

“We believe in years to come this will be standard farming practice.

“The results speak for themselves. While every farm is different, in our experience reduction in lime use has been as much as 60 per cent and phosphorous up to 25 per cent without impacting production.”

The free workshop was funded through from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program.