Western Australian Mixed Farming Innovation Group (WAMFIG) Western Initiatives Implementation

Summary

The Western Australian Mixed Farming Innovation Group (WAMFIG) was formed in 2017, and consisted of 16 producers, researcher and consultants from Western Australia. The group has met quarterly since then, and used communication technology such as WhatsApp to share and develop innovative practical ideas.

The group focused its discussion around three initiatives:
1. Data integration platform for mixed farming
2. Remote monitoring and management of livestock
3. Hyperspectral imaging.

WAMFIG found that hyperspectral sensing did not provide a good return on investment for the WA red meat industry at this time, but it could change as the technology develops. WAMFIG’s extensive groundwork formed the basis of an application programming interface (API) concept brought to MLA in Sydney, to value-add MyMLA and MyMLA tools. Additionally, through trialing remote monitoring technology, the WAMFIG provided valued, honest feedback to technology developers, particularly around how the product or service could be adopted by producers on farm. This has assisted the service providers in refining their product offering.

Overall, WAMFIG has benefitted industry through feedback on new technology, and networking of members enabling a range of knowledge and experiences with technology could be shared. The group decided they would not formally continue as part of a funded project, and would independently look into forming an interest group under the Grower Group Alliance.

Objectives

The objective of the project was to implement programs in a data integration platform for mixed farming, remote monitoring and management of livestock; and hyperspectral imaging via additional submissions to MLA where appropriate.

For producers, this project will not only increase their current knowledge of this area, but also afford them the time to be removed from their business and compares notes with others, whilst understanding how this area of innovation can impact and/or drive their business.

WA based researchers can ensure that they are in front of global R&D by knowing what other global solutions providers are currently developing and what the needs of Australian producer’s area.

Key findings

The WAMFIG found that hyperspectral sensing did not provide a good return on investment for industry, due to its expense and lack of repeatability across individual paddocks. The WAMFIG turned its focus to investigating near real-time pasture biomass monitoring and to reinstating Pasture from Space through MLA, which they see generating much larger benefits to producers.
The WAMFIG found there was still a long way to go in providing producers with one platform to integrate data for mixed farms. WAMFIG’s extensive groundwork formed the basis of an application programming interface (API) concept brought to MLA in Sydney, to value-add MyMLA and MyMLA tools. One member since introduced a data integration platform for their remote monitoring technology.
Through trialling remote monitoring technology, the WAMFIG provided valued, honest feedback to developers - particularly around how the technology could be adopted by producers on farm. The members had consistent feedback in issues with hardware, and a lack of user input and data integration. This feedback has assisted the service providers in refining their product offering. Overall, the trials by WAMFIG members found that remote monitoring technology is still developing and needs to demonstrate a better return on investment for more widespread adoption on farm.

Benefits to industry

The contribution the WAMFIG group has provided the red meat industry has been significant. The group has facilitated the sharing and circulation of research and trial results with wider industry. The members reported that the networking opportunities provided by WAMFIG has been useful when they have had to give industry presentations, as they know who to contact for research or trial results. WAMFIG members highly rated the researcher-producer interaction during the WAMFIG meetings. MLA staff members who have engaged with the group have highly valued these interactions, and continue to work with WAMFIG producer members to ‘test/ground truth’ ideas and concepts. The WAMFIG has supported strategic decision-making for MLA and acted as a sounding board for MLA in Western Australia.