A protocol for assessing on farm energy use and associated greenhouse gas emissions

This project is developing a cost effective process for assessing on-farm operational energy inputs with a particular focus on the Australian Cotton Industry.  Key components include developing a protocol for energy assessment, quantifying on-farm energy use for different farming operations and evaluating energy use and greenhouse gas emissions for alternate production systems.

A Coordinated Approach to Precision Agriculture RDE for the Australian Sugar Industry

The Australian sugar industry has been a rapid adopter of GPS-based technologies which promote controlled traffic farming and improved harvest management. However, there has been little adoption of Precision Agriculture (PA) which involves the use of these and other technologies to acquire information about the production system at high spatial resolution, and the use of this information to target management in order to optimise production with respect to yield, crop quality and environmental goals. What little adoption has occurred has been ad hoc and poorly supported by adequate research, consultant or technical expertise. Recent reviews of the potential for application of PA to the sugar industry (CSE018, NCA009) and an associated industry workshop concluded that PA has the potential to offer significant economic, environmental and social benefits to the Australian sugar industry and identified a need for a coordinated approach to PA RD&E. This project seeks to satisfy that need.

Precision Spray Technologies for the Australian Sugar Industry

This project is developing precision spray technologies for the Australian Sugar Industry in response to increasing pressures on herbicide use.  A key research component includes the development of new technologies that are target orientated with an aim to improve weed management by more effective and efficient control of weeds.  This will result in i) reduced herbicide usage, ii) reduced potential for offsite impacts, iii) relief of traditional chemicals, iv) reinforcement if minimum tillage and new farming system while v) maximising production.

The project will be investigating the use and application of commercially available precision spray technology which can be used to distinguish weeds from soil.  Currently there exists no commercial technology that can reliably distinguish green plants based on spectral response and other visual features.

Precision Livestock Projects

Dr Thomas Banhazi has been engaged by South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI) to provide specialist input to three projects being undertaken by SARDI.  These projects are investigating:

• An evaluation of alternative on-farm cleaning procedures (PIAG).
• A review of image analysis technologies for the Australian Pig Industry (APL).
• Development of the 'Bright Animal' framework program (EU).
  

Covered Ponds for Treating Abattoir Waste

This project is improving the design and management of covered anaerobic ponds in the Abattoir industry.  Field trials are being conducted with Churchill Abattoir in order to develop design criteria for covered anaerobic pond technology.  The project is monitoring start up and production phases on the ponds and will assess the feasability of bio energy production from covered anaerobic ponds.

Sustainable Mallee Biomass Supply Chain

The NCEA have been commissioned by the RIRDC to undertake a pre-feasability assessment of the oil mallee supply chain, with an aim to optimise the supply of material from the field to the multiple use processing facility.  Business and commercial structures required to support this delivery chain will be documented.  The Australian sugarcane industry is being used to provide a comparative analysis based on similar supply challenges over more than a 100 years.

Renewable Energy Options for Nursery Industry

This project is identifying current energy usage patterns in the Nursery Industry and identifying potential renewable energy sources that could be utilized.  An online calculator will be developed to facilitate grower assessment of nursery energy requirements across all operations, potential alternative energy sources and cost benefit assessment of options.

NEXTEP Coal Seam Gas Fuel for Agriculture

This project is evaluating the viability of domestically produced natural gas (including compressed natural gas and liquefied natural gas) as a transport fuel and as a realistic alternative to imported petroleum products.  The project aims to demonstrate and implement Coal Seam Gas technologies in agriculture.

Redevelopment of Weed Spot Spraying Technology

Rees Equipment has previously developed weed spot spraying technology. The previous technology was based on analogue camera technology with analogue and digital analysis algorithms. This technology is being further developed with an aim to upgrade to digital cameras and analysis methods and cut production costs.

Contact: Steve Rees Ph: +61-7-4631-1890 

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Funding Body: Private Company