PROJECTS A C R O S S
“ I ’ m a fifth-generation sugar cane farmer , and I ’ d like my boys to be the sixth , so we need to make the future a good place for them . By doing the automation , I think we ’ ve not only saved money but we ’ re saving the environment as well .”
OSBORNE GROWER DAVID FOWLER
Major Grants Program accelerates practice changes
The Major Grants Program supported growers involved with the Lower Burdekin Water Quality Program to maintain momentum and achieve further efficiencies . It was delivered by NQ Dry Tropics with support from Sugar Research Australia and agronomy service providers Farmacist , AgriTech Solutions and Aglantis .
Grower David Fowler saved water , time and money by installing an automated irrigation system on his farm at Osborne , on the Burdekin River .
The entire system was controlled from a screen in his shed via two telemetry networks — one high-speed WiFi to remotely control the pumps , and a lower speed connection for the end-of-row moisture sensors , which informed him when water reached the end of the furrow .
David said he was already reaping the benefits after only a few months , with a 36 per cent reduction in time taken to water the whole farm .
MAJOR GRANTS PROGRAM ACHIEVEMENTS ( 2020-24 )
5882KG / YR
OF DISSOLVED INORGANIC NITROGEN ( DIN ) PREVENTED FROM REACHING THE GREAT BARRIER REEF
33
PROJECTS A C R O S S
4455HA
SUPPORT FOR GROWERS
14
9RATE
CONTROLLERS
11
IRRIGATION
AUTOMATION SYSTEMS
5GPS
UNITS
8
STOOL
Z I P P E R S
IRRIGATION
SCHEDULING TOOLS