LOCAL grain growers have the opportunity to apply for a blackspot pilot program between Grain Producers SA (GPSA) and AgTech connectivity provider Zetifi.
The connectivity pilot project, funded through AgriFutures Australia’s Producer Technology Uptake Program, is seeking three grain producers who farm in mobile and internet blackspots to trial Zetifi’s long-range connectivity technology.
GPSA chief executive officer Brad Perry is calling on grain producers in areas of poor connectivity to express interest in taking part in the pilot program.
“The biggest barrier to the adoption of technology on-farm is the lack of connectivity in many cropping regions across South Australia,” Mr Perry said.
Without reliable connectivity it is challenging to undertake precision agriculture, remote monitoring, use autonomous machinery and advanced data analytics, to name a few.
“This will be a first-of-its-kind project in South Australia that will pilot last-mile connectivity for vehicles and machinery on farms.”
Mr Perry said connectivity had grown into a substantial issue among grain growers across the state.
“We decided to do this because connectivity is a huge issue for the grain industry in South Australia,” he said.
“There’s blackspots everywhere with connectivity and reception with internet.
“You need good, reliable connectivity to run your grain business in this day and age.
“It’s important that GPSA provides opportunities for different solutions to address the connectivity issues.”
Mr Perry added the opportunity to work alongside Zetifi was significant for GPSA.
“We are excited about the opportunity to team up with AgTech business Zetifi to install its cell and rover technology on three South Australian grain producers’ properties to extend phone and internet coverage as a solution for blackspots and on-farm connectivity,” he said.
“Zetifi has its technology in different parts of Australia and some globally, and they haven’t done a lot of work here.
It’s great to have a lot of their technology piloted in South Australia.
“We’re trying to find big areas that will have benefit.
“They are devices that can go on a home or sit on the back of a ute or tractor and extend the signal for those out on the farm.”
Mr Perry confirmed GPSA only wanted a certain amount of expressions of interest.
“We’re only seeking three and we’ve had a lot more than three at the moment; it’s been a good response,” he said.
“We’re really excited to get the project under way and getting the product out onto their properties.”
Zetifi chief executive officer Dan Winson also said he’s looking forward to working with GPSA and applying the businesses’ connectivity solutions to South Australian grain farms.
“We’re really grateful to Brad and the team at GPSA for the initiative they’ve shown in creating this opportunity for South Australian farmers,” Mr Winson said.
“Our unique approach to on-farm connectivity was developed with regular input from grain growers around our base in Wagga Wagga, so we know that this setting is well suited to our products and we’re excited to be able to showcase the benefits they provide as part of this project.”
AgriFutures Australia innovation manager Ulicia Raufers said the third round of the Producer Technology Uptake Program had enabled a further 28 producer groups and networks to design bespoke projects to increase AgTech adoption on-farm and on-boat.
Expressions of interest to participate in the pilot program are being sought from SA grain producers and can be made by emailing office@grainproducers.com.au.
