Growing interest prompts Precision Agriculture (PA) workshop

Media Release

Growing interest prompts Precision Agriculture (PA) workshop and field day

Precision Agriculture is a fast growing area of New Zealand’s agricultural scene. Precision Agriculture is not new to New Zealand farmers. Some already use variable rate technologies for fertiliser application; do yield mapping or GPS-based soil sampling, or use GPS-guidance with great benefits.

Almost every month there are new applications in precision agriculture (PA) that could be of interest to New Zealand farmers. Keeping pace with this new technology is not easy, but some help is near.

The Precision Agriculture Association of NZ (PAANZ) was established in late 2012 by a group of interested farmers, researchers, industry representatives, and companies to support the community in getting better access and understanding of what is possible with PA and what is happening in PA in NZ and internationally.

PAANZ is holding a one-day event in Methven (Canterbury) on Friday 12 April for people wanting to catch up with PA development. With this event, and more to follow, PAANZ recognises the growing interest to understand the scope of activities being undertaken by various organisations and individuals in the area of Precision Agriculture. This workshop brings together interested people, experts, service providers and companies in PA in the areas of irrigation and nutrient management.

In the morning there will be a mix of presentations from a range of speakers followed by an afternoon in the field where participants will be able to get up close with some of the technologies. This PAANZ event takes place in a region where farmers are involved in a range of interesting PA-applications such as soil mapping, precision irrigation, variable rate N-fertilisation with sensors etc.

Spaces at the day are limited to ensure close and effective interactions in the workshop.

Precision Agriculture is all about the right input, in the right place, in the right amount, at the right time and in the right way. It relies on new technologies such as electronic identification, GPS, information technology, geospatial and bio-response tools to make this possible. It enables farmers to optimize land and primary production management by acting on the variability measured using these types of technologies. Those responses can then be used to provide benefits to producers, consumers and the environment.

“The use of Precision Agriculture technologies will enable land users to be more productive, efficient and sustainable - and therefore competitive” said Peter Barrowclough, interim Chair of PAANZ.

“The day is an opportunity to learn more about new technologies that can assist the efficiency, productivity, profitability and sustainability of land-based production systems, and how these are being implemented” said Mr Barrowclough. “We need to maintain our international competitiveness and retain our global reputation for innovation and environmentally-sound production systems and precision agriculture assists us with achieving this”

The workshop / field day addresses land users, researchers, commercial companies, Regional Councils, primary industry organisations, rural professionals and students. Its focus will be on increasing the knowledge of PA technologies in land-based primary production systems, and bringing together a range of people from across the PA value chain.

To register for the 12th April, go to http:// precisionaginaction.eventbrite.com or email info@PAANZ.co.nz and we will email you a programme and registration form.

Ends

© Scoop Media