Farm Map Australia – Business Planning & Setup (Stage 1)

Summary

​The NRM Spatial Hub (the Hub) Initiative commenced in April 2014 and was completed in June 2016 with support from the National Landcare Programme. Coordinated and managed by the CRCSI and the Australian Rangeland NRM Alliance, the initiative involved more than 20 organisations (including 14 NRM Regional bodies, State agencies and universities), and brought together more than a decade of R&D in grazing management, remote sensing and geospatial technologies.

Following the completion of the initial build and demonstration phase (B.ERM.0098),  MLA, AWI, Rangelands NRM Alliance, and the CRC for Spatial Information (CRCSI) initiated an intensive program of work to:

• consolidate the platform;
• extend demonstrations to southern pasture systems;
• consult with users, and develop a unique business model aimed at underpinning the MLA Digital Strategy and driving the adoption of AgTech in the grazing industry.

This stage confirmed the demand for the Spatial Hub capabilities and the opportunity to establish a self-sustaining platform to support the industry.

With financial support from the MLA Donor Company and the CRCSI, along with inkind support from the original project partners, this project’s objectives  were to:

• finalise the Business Plan for approval to proceed;
• establish the Board and Governance structures;
• establish the commercial entity ready for launch in July 2017;
• establish the not-for-profit organisation;
• develop the business and technology roadmaps (MDC Stage 2 application); and
• secure 500 financial memberships from redmeat producers by December 2017.

A charging service was put in place to validate commercial demand.  By December 2017,  approximately 500 properties subscribed; including more than 250 individual family properties.

The proposed model via a new entity “FarmMap4D” was outlined.
Linked projects: B.ERM.0098; B.ERM.0127