Farmers warned to upgrade as 3G shutdown looms
As the clock ticks towards the 3G mobile network shutdown, farmers are being warned to upgrade or risk losing connection to their supply chain.
The event will highlight the very latest in productivity tools for the rural sector in Hamilton on March 30-31, 2016.
MobileTECH says innovative new technologies are emerging every day, so it is critical that the rural sector capitalises on these opportunities to ensure they remain internationally competitive. Examples of these technologies include UAVs counting sheep, automated milking systems, robotic tractors for precision farming or automated spraying or irrigation systems.
Even with the Government’s $2 billion investment in broadband coverage, which aims to boost internet connectivity to around 98% of New Zealanders, rural operators still need the tools and technologies to benefit from it.
MobileTECH says a key benefit of greater rural connectivity is the ability to collect and analyse real-time data. Remote sensors in the soil have been enabling precision agriculture for decades, however new disruptive technologies are now providing a flood of useful information that is revolutionising the industry.
Farmers place electronic tags on their animals, forestry companies scan every tree as it is harvested and now scientists even track bees by attaching wireless sensors to them.
“There is a lot of excitement in the rural sector about the potential of big data in improving the long-term profitably of the sector,” said Ken Wilson, programme manager for MobileTECH 2016.
“As well as showcasing the wide range of technologies at MobileTECH in March, issues like big data, cloud-based systems, wireless monitoring, data management, enhanced quality satellite imagery, mobile computing, UAVs, robotics and automation and the internet of things will be major talking points at the event”.
