CSIRO – for the reef, a sweet set of apps

CSIRO – for the reef, a sweet suite of apps?

The challenge Trusting water quality data versus going with your gut feel?

Nitrogen losses from intensive crop production into wet tropical catchments of north Queensland are a major threat to the health of the Great Barrier Reef. But owing to the lack of information on these losses and the extreme variability in climate and rainfall over very small distances, it’s been difficult for growers to link nitrogen that appears in the environment and nitrogen management on their farm. There’s also been the expectation that changing fertiliser management practices could affect crop yields.

The response Harnessing the digital revolution to support fertiliser application decisions

We’re developing a suite of apps, called 1622, to deliver information services to farmers that address their concerns, make for faster change in farm management practices and help growers reduce impacts of cropping on the Great Barrier Reef. Our 1622 apps are at different stages of product development, with our earliest app, 1622WQ (‘water quality’), ready for public release very soon. 1622WQ provides real-time water quality information. It allows farmers to see, for example, the influence of recent rainfall on water quality or whether management actions such as recent fertilising has affected nitrogen losses. Farmers can also see the seasonal climate outlook to help plan ahead.

The 1622WhatIf? function of the app allows farmers to evaluate the risks and benefits of

CSIRO is developing a suite of apps to deliver information services to farmers and help reduce the impacts of cropping on the Great Barrier Reef.

changing nitrogen fertiliser applications. For example, ‘what if I change my fertiliser rate, harvest date and/or fertilising date and how would that affect my crop yields and nitrogen losses?’ 1622Crop uses our drone-based LiDAR system, satellites and other novel sensing technologies to help farmers use less nitrogenbased fertiliser without affecting their profits. Growers can compare different management strategies in real time through the season.

The results 1622 meeting industry needs

For the first time, farmers will have realtime information on key factors for growing sugarcane. When complete, 1622 will bring together information on sugarcane production and environmental performance to help farmers: n Evaluate their crop management; n Facilitate better decisions; and, n Help them protect the Great Barrier Reef.

For more information: www.csiro.au

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SECTION 8 RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT & ADOPTION

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