Emerging technologies in agriculture: Smartphones, tablets, apps and social media

Author: | Date: 28 Mar 2012

Prudence Cook,

DPI Vic

 

Keywords: smartphone, tablet, social media, apps, IT, internet, agriculture, technology.

 

Take home messages:

  • Emerging digital technologies can help streamline existing practices and provide real time information.
  • There are an increasing number of Apps being developed (many of which are designed by farmers) that will assist in all areas of a farm business.
  • Social Media, when used effectively, can be a useful source of timely and relevant information and a good networking tool.

Introduction

The computer has become an essential tool for the majority of farm businesses and the internet is now a trustworthy and frequently used tool utilised by the majority of farmers for gathering timely and relevant information. Smartphones and tablets are the next step in this digital revolution, allowing producers and service providers to access existing websites or record data/access information via ‘Apps’ in the paddock. This paper (and subsequent presentation) will examine how a smartphone or tablet can be utilised by growers giving examples of types of apps available, now and in the future, as well as examining how social media can be used as a networking and information gathering tool.

 

Background

According to research commissioned by DPI in 2012, 90 per cent of farmers (n=402) have internet access either at home or in their workplace (of that 90 per cent, 97 per cent have some type of broadband access). However, only 73 per cent of farmers surveyed use the internet, predominantly for weather (94 per cent) and for looking up farming related issues (90 per cent). 78 per cent of farmers who use internet never use social media sites. Why and how farmers use the internet will have large implications for their uptake of smartphone/tablet technology.

 

A recent survey conducted by Michael Pengilley suggests that 53 per cent of those surveyed (those working in agriculture; predominantly farmers) own a smartphone with 36 per cent owning a tablet (n=662). Email is overwhelmingly the most frequently used technology (98 per cent) and also the preferred method of receiving industry news (90 per cent).

 

The Technology

Smartphones and tablets are mobile and very intuitive to use. Provided that you have mobile coverage, a smartphone or tablet can connect to the internet, allowing you to tap into most websites that you previously would have accessed from a desktop computer. Apps (short for applications) are third party software packages developed for tablets and smartphones. There are currently over one million apps available for purchase (according to Google Play and the Apple App store) ranging from games to language translators to apps that can help you find a parking space.

Agricultural Apps can be broken into five different categories:

  • Farm Management/Data Collection Apps: These apps are useful for farm planning, allowing you to easily keep track of data relating to management decisions, inputs, soil tests, stocking rates, pest/disease issues and treatment, machinery procedures, staff management etc. Many of these apps operate spatially. These types of apps can be particularly useful for farms with a number of operators and/or contractors.

 

  • Calculator Apps: These apps will allow you to perform field calculations in the paddock. Some examples of these apps include calculators that work out how much spray you will need to treat a particular area, calculate fertiliser costs, calculate seeding rates, estimate yields and estimate lambing statistics.

 

  • Information/Resource Apps: These apps will allow you to look-up relevant information in the paddock. There are a number of apps available covering pest, disease and weed identification, marketing and product information.

 

  • News Apps: There are a number of aggregators that will deliver you industry specific information immediately.

 

  • Weather Apps: Provides access to frequently updated forecasts, history, rainfall and local warnings.

 

  • Enabling Apps: These are simple apps that will help with everyday tasks. Examples of these include a torch, spirit level, maps, taking notes/setting reminders, livestock counters, a camera and document storage.

 

There are some apps that look to combine a number of the above functions into more integrated packages. A lot of agricultural apps that are currently on the market have been developed by farmers who identified a need for an improved system.

Considerations when choosing an App:

  • As internet coverage can be problematic in many rural areas, a high percentage of agricultural apps are being developed to work independent of an Internet connection. If decent coverage is an issue for you, you should choose stand alone apps.

 

  • Ensure that the app is suitable for Australia. Many agricultural apps currently available on the market have been designed in the US and may not be relevant to Australian conditions.

 

  • Ensure the app is suitable for your device. Some apps may only be available for a particular brand of smartphone/tablet. There are also some apps that will only work on a tablet and vice versa.

 

  • Look at the cost. Many apps are free although there are some (particularly apps that integrate a number of different functions) that can be quite expensive. Read reviews and comments left on the app store. If you have a good or bad experience with an app, think about reviewing it yourself to help other farmers make decisions on which app to use.

 

What is the future potential for these technologies?

The agricultural app space is rapidly evolving. As demand for these technologies increases, the apps will become more sophisticated. Here are a few examples of apps either currently available or being developed in the US, some of which are currently being developed for Australia.

 

  • SoilWeb: Gives you information on your soil type based on your location.

 

  • Pure Sense: allows you to download data from underground sensors which detect soil moisture levels

 

  • Nutrient Removal App: allows you to calculate the amount of nutrients removed from the soil at harvest time.

 

  • John Deere is developing an app that allows an engine to give warnings of any problems, allowing you to address mechanical issues before they develop into expensive breakdowns.

 

Social Media

Social media tends to generate a lot of negative attitudes due to its portrayal in the mainstream media as a platform for celebrity gossip and useless information. However, social media, when utilised correctly, can be a fantastic way to receive information and network.

 

YouTube, a video sharing platform, is fast becoming a useful reference for technical assistance. Twitter and Facebook are allowing users to access information relevant specifically to them and allows them to tap into to the broader agricultural community to swap experiences and ideas.

 

Online forums, such as AgChatOz on Twitter allow farmers to communicate with a diverse range of people working in agriculture on topical issues. Social media also provides the opportunity for farmers to converse with their peers and test their experiences with tools, techniques and products

 

Additionally, communicating through social media channels helps to close the rural-urban divide by raising awareness of farming practices and lifestyles and seeks to address miscommunication from anti-agriculture groups.

 

Contact Details

Prudence Cook

Department of Primary Industries, Grains Innovation Park,

Private Bag 260 Horsham 3400

(03) 5362 0701

 prudence.cook@dpi.vic.gov.au