We’re a company working in lots of innovative ways to make better use of technology and data along our supply chain, starting with the family farmers on organic cattle properties who supply us.

One of the barriers stopping livestock producers adopting AgTech is the wealth of choices and a lack of standardised language to allow producers to make apples-to-apples comparisons of different models of the same type of digital tool. It’s too confusing, so they stop.

Working with our friend JoAnn Resing at Queensland’s Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, we recently hosted a meeting of pastoralists, vendors, government and tech experts to see if this is indeed a problem that needs to be fixed.

Focusing on remote Internet of Things in agriculture (AgIOT), and specifically remote water monitoring, a wide-ranging discussion agreed there is an opportunity, if not a critical need for AgIOT equipment to be:

  • Australian regulation compliant;
  • cyber secure;
  • built to some form of ag industry standard;
  • badged with some type of Ag ‘Quality Mark’
  • have product descriptions expanded to include more detailed technical and compliance specifications.

Following this initial workshop, more conversations will be had to progress these issues within agriculture and with national IOT initiatives looking at similar issues.

It’s a small start, but we think a step in the right direction to contribute to better use of technology in the bush.

To learn more about our commitments to advancing technology in our industry check out these articles: Technology for Collaborating Around the World, & OBE’s Supply Chain. 

If you’re new to the Internet of Things, check out the video below for a great introduction from Victoria’s Department of Agriculture.

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