The project is an extension of the Digital Rain Gauge Network project. In September 2018, MADFIG was successful in two applications for State funding through the WA IoT DecisionAg program. The intent was to trial on-farm telecommunications network solutions, decision tools and analytic data platforms, essentially assisting growers to make more informed, data-driven decisions.
The original project saw participating members install a network of 58 digital weather stations and rain gauges across the MADFIG catchment for the purpose of automated rainfall collection and analytics for better decision making. The weather and rain gauges automatically capture weather information and send it to an on-line platform where it can be viewed either on the computer in the office or via an app on mobile phones or tablets.
Since installation, the data has been used by participating growers to make better informed operational decisions around Fire Danger Risk during harvest, optimal spraying (Delta T, wind speed and direction) conditions for summer spraying and automated rainfall record keeping,
The success of the original project has led to the Network now becoming a core MADFIG program.
The original Wildeye equipment required upgrading to 4G with the closure of the analogue mobile network. Farmers invested in this, proving the value of the network which is now a priority core program for MADFIG.
MADFIG has been a Regional Node for the South-West Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub from 2022 to 2026. As part of this program MADFIG successfully obtained a one-off grant for a Drought Hub Demonstration project. The improved access to rainfall data the network has delivered has highlighted the changes to rainfall patterns and highlighted the need for evaluation on the very dispersed rainfall events and differences in rainfall now occurring even within farming properties. Local farmers are curious about microclimates and need increased evaluation and monitoring of the range of weather conditions, with more accurate and timely forecasting.
The project is “Integrated Climate Data Driven Decisions for the Eastern Wheatbelt”. The data sharing project looks to address barriers to sharing individual property generated data. We want to increase confidence (and security) for farmer members in their role as data originators. We’re building on the learnings of the existing IoT Digital Rain Gauge project to encourage readiness to share data. We’re providing information and pathways delivered by trusted sources as well as extending the coverage of the network with strategically places additional weather stations.
MADFIG wants to investigate Micro Climate and current weather forecasting in our region. To be able to do this farmers need to be able to share their data safely and securely. The extended weather station coverage and data sharing protocols will support this as well as help capture the high variability across the region and within localities. As this increases, it is hoped additional research based on data will allow for better decision-making, in turn reducing seasonal risk in our local farming systems.
The Drought Hub Demonstration project also includes a pilot component to improve network accessibility. A fit for purpose Pairtree app will allow integration of a diverse range of existing farmer used apps and data capture systems to one MADFIG Dashboard. These range from livestock water tank monitors, farm security systems, soil moisture probes, future swarmbot spray applicators and VRT cropping systems. It will allow a range of rain gauges and weather stations to be integrated into the existing Wildeye equipment to maximise accessibility for participating MADFIG members.
