Category Archives: Sensing

Agronomy, AgTech, Conference, Data Analytics, Fertiliser, Innovation, New Crops, Nutrients, Orchard, Orcharding, Plant Health, Precision Agriculture, Projects, Research, Robotics, Sensing, Soil, Vegetables, viticulture, Water, Weeds

LandWISE 2021: Working Smarter

May 23, 2021 LandWISE Admin Leave a comment

Havelock North, 19-20 May 2021

Thanks to everyone who made LandWISE 21 such a successful Conference!

We were a touch nervous after Covid-cancelling last year, but so heartened when our sponsors jumped on-board, and delgetaes began registering earlier than usual. Perhaps there was a vacuum . . .

The speakers’ presentations are summarised in a series of blog posts, many with a short sound clip. The time put in to create the presentations is clearly huge, it is a very large gift each one makes. Thanks each and every one of you!

Topics covered:

Best Practice and Beyond
Future Proofing Vegetable Production
Carbon and Water
Smart Technologies for Permanent Crops
Herbicide Resistance Management
Agritech in NZ and Hawke’s Bay

Jump to the Conference Page for links to presentations

Agronomy, AgTech, Conference, Data Analytics, Irrigation, Precision Agriculture, Sensing

Simple tools for complex problems – Aaron Furrer

May 16, 2021 LandWISE Admin

Aaron is a Stanford University graduate with both a technical and agricultural background. Aaron has prior experience in running his own company as well as being involved with several start-up opportunities and VC firms in Silicon Valley.

Aaron moved to New Zealand in 2016 where he co-founded an AgriTech company specializing in smart irrigation control. At the end of 2020 he joined CropX, a global AgAnalytics company whose vision is to revolutionize and automate the farm and the decision-making process.

At LandWISE 2021, using case studies of growers from around the world, Aaron illustrated examples of the myriad of tools and technologies growers have at their disposal, and how CropX helps connect the dots between these data layers to make management decisions with tangible outcomes.

Listen to a Summary Sound Clip here:

AgTech, Automation, Conference, Data Analytics, Fruit, Innovation, Orchard, Precision Agriculture, Robotics, Sensing

Counting and mapping flowers and fruit – David Manktelow

May 16, 2021 LandWISE Admin

David Manktelow founded Applied Research and Technologies, providing contract and independent research work in horticultural plant protection, pathology and spray application technology.

A life-long innovator, he constantly seeks technologies that do tasks better. Whether simple strips of water sensitive paper or a fast laser scanner, he finds ways to help growers constantly improve practices.

At LandWISE 2021, David described the Green Atlas system of automatic counting and mapping of flowers and fruit in orchards. Together with Fruition Horticulture’s Jack Hughes, David has trialled the Green Atlas system in Hawke’s Bay and displayed the equipment at the field event.

Green Atlas Cartographer is a combination of hardware and software that allows flower and fruit counts to be quickly and accurately mapped over entire orchards. An unprecedented level of detail allows crop management to be tailored to every tree.

Listen to a Summary Sound Clip here:

Agronomy, AgTech, Automation, Conference, Data Analytics, Fruit, Innovation, Orcharding, Precision Agriculture, Sensing, viticulture

Unlocking the Value in Maps – Matt Flowerday

May 16, 2021 LandWISE Admin

Matt Flowerday has been involved in farming and horticulture his whole life.

Matt started using GPS to map farms and orchards in 1998. In 2001 he set up GPS-it to carryout GPS mapping, with a focus on kiwifruit.

From beginnings in a small office on a kiwifruit orchard, with just one staff member and a GPS unit, the business has evolved significantly. GPS-it is now an established aerial farm mapping and software development company, providing high-quality customised geospatial solutions to our clients, using ESRI technology.

At the LandWISE 21 Conference, Matt will show how Landkind, an interactive platform that lets orchards and packhouses unlock the value of their maps, improves productivity and profitability by allowing users to create, manage, and interact with orchard data effortlessly.

Thanks to all our sponsors!

AgTech, Automation, Conference, Innovation, Precision Agriculture, Robotics, Sensing

Agricultural Robotics: part of the new deal?

November 15, 2020 LandWISE Admin Leave a comment

A silver lining on the Covid-Cloud is online conferences. Here’s one few of us in this part of the world would get to, but now it’s an online event, attendance is just a click away!

Since 2016, the International Forum on Agriculturral Robotics FIRA has been must-attend event for professionals in the agricultural robotics sector. Initiated and organized in Toulouse by the French company Naio Technologies, FIRA is now presented by GOFAR – the association Global Organization for Agricultural Robotics, founded in 2019.

GOFAR is launching the virtual edition of its annual event, which runs from 8 to 10 December, 2020. FIRA 2020 will provide international participants with online live access to speakers, booths tours and interactions with exhibitors and other participants, and will thus become the social network for agricultural robotics.

This 3-day new format combines innovation and quality online experience for a sector that has a key role to play to address thcurrent environmental, economic and social issues. For those of us in another hemisphere, presentations wil be available to registrants to access as soon as they have been aired.

Registration: www.fira-agtech.com

More information here>

Agronomy, AgTech, Automation, Conference, Controlled Traffic Systems, Data Analytics, Drainage, events, Fertiliser, Innovation, Irrigation, LandWISE 2015, LandWISE People, Membership, MicroFarm, New Crops, Nutrients, Orchard, Orcharding, Plant Health, Planting, Precision Agriculture, Projects, Research, Robotics, Sensing, Soil, Tillage, Uncategorized, Vegetables, viticulture, Water, Weeds

Memberships Open for 2020-2021

July 2, 2020 LandWISE Admin

Calling all followers and friends of LandWISE, we invite you to become a financial member this year.

Your support is vital for LandWISE to continue doing what we do. We rely on farmer support to ensure the backing of new projects, discover new areas for research or technology adoption, and to fund field days, workshops and the development of practical resources.

LandWISE Membership is a great way to support the mission of sustainable production in New Zealand, and as a member you’ll benefit from:

Results from on-farm trials
Projects focussed on real farmer and grower problems
Regional field days and workshops on a range of topics from conserving soil to nutrient management and novel fertiliser technology
A discounted registration at the 2021 LandWISE Conference
Subscription to our annual LandWISE News publication

Membership is open to all who are interested in primary production and share our values. We hope you’ll consider becoming a member, or forward this on to a non-member if you already are!

Agronomy, AgTech, Automation, Data Analytics, Fertiliser, Innovation, Irrigation, LandWISE People, Membership, MicroFarm, New Crops, Nutrients, Orchard, Plant Health, Precision Agriculture, Projects, Research, Robotics, Sensing, Soil, Tillage, Vegetables, viticulture, Water, Weeds

Help Wanted

June 21, 2019 LandWISE Admin

We’re not quite sure what to call the job: science manager, extensionist, project manager, consultant? We know it offers diverse activities and needs excellent communication skills and practical knowledge of horticulture and technology.

We are looking for someone to help identify and lead research projects and extension activities across a variety of issues and regions. For the right person, this is a role with considerable potential to grow.

This will be a Page Bloomer Associates appointment. They provide our science, management and support services while having addditional private consultancy activities. Working closely together, we know they share our passion for sustainable land and water management.

Since the dawn of the new millennium we’ve been providing progressive, pragmatic and independent services through projects and consultancy. A key feature of our work is close collaboration with end users, researchers and developers. We talk about “linking thinking from the farm out”.

The role includes engaging with growers, industry and researchers to identify opportunities to review practices and integrate new technologies to create sustainable cropping systems. The appointee will develop and manage projects and support services that support economically and environmentally sustainable primary production.

If you know someone with passion for smarter farming who wants a key role in a small dedicated organisation, Page Bloomer Associates would like to chat with them!

More Info on TradeMe Jobs

Agronomy, AgTech, Automation, Conference, Drainage, events, Nutrients, Plant Health, Precision Agriculture, Robotics, Sensing

LandWISE 2018: Technologies for Timely Actions

May 2, 2018 Dan Bloomer

In 2018, our sixteenth conference addresses the topic of “Technologies for Timely Actions”. We are delighted that LandWISE 2018 is officially part of Techweek, a festival amplifying New Zealand innovation that’s good for the world.

The intention behind Techweek is simple – New Zealand’s technology and innovation sectors are growing rapidly, and Techweek fosters that growth by providing a week-long opportunity for connection and cross-pollination.

Registration

Registrations for LandWISE 2018 are open and you can book your place via the Techweek link. LandWISE members can also contact our Conference Admin if required.

Programme

The draft programme will be released soon. Members will receive regular updates, but for now pur 23-24 May in your diary. Then come along, listen, discuss:

How can managers and other decision makers get the information they need, process it, and decide what to do?
What is the information they need?
What tools help them make sense of it?
What’s available (or coming) to make it as easy and reliable as possible to do the right thing, in the right place at the right time?

It’s not just robots and computers : the quick Nitrate test promises rapid determination of available N while standing in the paddock – considerable help when deciding “do I put more now or can I hold off?” Combine that with smart crop zoning (that does involve computing) and maybe we can lift quality and reduce impacts.

We look forward to once again greeting delegates at the LandWISE Conference in Havelock North on 23-24 May 2018.

How to stay in touch

If you’re not already a subscriber, click here for the free e-newsletter. Remember too, members get conference discounts so click here to join.

AgTech, Data Analytics, events, LandWISE People, Plant Health, Precision Agriculture, Research, Robotics, Sensing

2018 Technical Session: Implementing new technologies to manage crop health

May 2, 2018 Dan Bloomer

The Technical Session is an opportunity for lead farmers, researchers and technologists to workshop a topic, hearing from different perspectives and seeking opportunities for collaboration.

In May 2018, the topic is “Implementing new technologies to manage crop health”. The day will start with presentations from lead farmers followed by presentations from research and tech perspectives. There will be much discussion, connections will be made and links forged.

The Technical Sessions are “by application” events with numbers limited to ensure good dialogue and quality discussion. If you would like to be part of the 2018 Technical sessions, contact us and explain why you need to be there! (See below)

Programme:

Scoping research and farm technology needs and creating networks of people.

60 second introductions (all)
Lead presentations
Defining future farm problems and challenges
Discussion of key issues

From an earlier event:

“LandWISE was one of the best forums I’ve participated in. The sense of goodwill and teamwork was extraordinary” Professor David Lamb, University of New England, Australia

Your investment for this event:

2018 Conference Attendees: $75+GST
Others: $150+GST

Apply and pre-register here>

Agronomy, AgTech, Automation, Conference, Data Analytics, Drainage, events, LandWISE People, MicroFarm, Nutrients, Orcharding, Plant Health, Precision Agriculture, Projects, Research, Robotics, Sensing, Soil, viticulture, Weeds

LandWISE 2018 Conference Speakers

May 2, 2018 Dan Bloomer

We are absolutely delighted at the calibre of speakers coming together for LandWISE 2018 – Technologies for Timely Actions. They have a wide range of backgrounds, work in a range of different sectors looking at a wide range of different things.

We’ve put information about the speakers on our discussion (blog) posts. Here, they are presented as a list with links so you can follow as you please.

We are grateful for the support of AGMARDT, McCain Foods and Heinz-Watties for helping bring our international speakers to New Zealand.