Friday, 03 November 2023 10:55

Working through all the data

Written by  Staff Reporters

In agriculture, the emphasis for the last 150 years has been on using technology to know more about orchards, fields, and crops, which has been great, according to Watermetrics.

“We’ve uncovered inefficiencies, learned more about our land, and optimised inputs through tools like weather stations, soil moisture probes, sensors, satellites, flow meters, and more. But as often happens, yesterday’s solutions have created today’s problems.

“Technology has enabled us to deeply understand our land and crops in the modern farming landscape through numerous tools. We’ve accumulated a treasure trove of data to maximise our yields and optimise our resources.”

But, there’s a hitch – we are now navigating through a sea of data, often struggling to decipher it into actionable strategies, it says.

“Farmers in New Zealand are getting more and more data. Some of it’s expensive. Some providers are backward in sharing it.

“There are data gaps which can make a data stream unreliable. You can pay a lot for data that just doesn’t do the job accurately enough in important situations. Some data is confusing like a trigger point to irrigate and noticeably varying responses from an irrigation.

“Authorities want you to show that you are using data to manage water and nitrogen and be environmentally responsible and there can be variations around how- given the data interpretation.

“Dealing with data and transforming it into meaningful, actionable insights is actually quite difficult. Farmers are good at solving puzzles but they don’t have time to solve mysteries. Mysteries require improved analysis and interpretation of data for resolution. At the end of the day this is grasping the key indicators that affect plant health and yield. This leads to profit and we all want that.

“Historically, many agricultural companies have operated by amassing asymmetric information – having more knowledge than the next person.

www.watermetrics.co.nz

More like this

Vapormatic joins JD's parts range

John Deere has expanded its repair and replacement part offerings, with the Vapormatic brand officially added to its range of ‘Alternative Parts’ in New Zealand.

GPS in control

In a move that will make harvesting operations easier, particularly in odd-shaped paddocks, Kuhn has announced that GPS section control is now available on the FC 9330 RA mower conditioner, the GA 13231, and GA 15231 four-rotor rakes.

Tractor, harvester IT comes of age

Over the last halfdecade, digital technology has appeared to be the “must-have” for tractor and machinery companies, who believe that bringing IT to tractors and farming will offer its customers huge benefits.

Spot fertiliser applicator keeps costs in check

The Kverneland Pudama principle delivers spot placement of fertiliser in maize, rather than continuous fertiliser placement. As a result, it has the capability to deliver a 25% saving on starter fertiliser, with no noticeable loss of yield.

Featured

DWOTY Award 'an absolute honour'

Humbling, overwhelming, and an absolute honour. That’s how 2024 Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year Katrina Roberts describes her win at the Dairy Women’s Network conference earlier this month.

New CEO for Dairy Goat Co-op

Hamilton-based Dairy Goat Co-operative (DGC) is revamping its leadership in the hope of recovering from its financial doldrums.

Great stewards of the land

James and Debbie Stewart of Dairylands in the Manawatū are no strangers to taking home the silverware.

National

Green but not much grass!

Dairy farmers in the lower North Island are working on protecting next season, according to Federated Farmers dairy chair Richard…

Machinery & Products

Tractor, harvester IT comes of age

Over the last halfdecade, digital technology has appeared to be the “must-have” for tractor and machinery companies, who believe that…

» Latest Print Issues Online

Milking It

Monopolised

OPINION: Not everyone will agree with former 'Minister of Everything' Stephen Joyce on his summation of Fonterra when writing recently…

Meat the Need!

OPINION: A plug is overdue for Meat the Need, who is currently fundraising to help supply more meals to families…

» Connect with Dairy News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter