Under the vast, clear skies of Western Australia, 45 potato growers and industry stakeholders gathered near Pemberton on April 11 for a high-tech field event that promised to push the boundaries of traditional farming practices. Coordinated by PotatoLink and the Potato Growers Association of Western Australia, the event showcased the latest drones and associated technologies, offering a glimpse into the future of horticulture in the region.
The day began with ideal weather conditions, setting the perfect stage for the drone demonstrations. Technicians took to the fields with two types of drones, their propellers whirring as they soared above the potato crops. Rhys Muir, Director of MPC Drone Ag, provided a detailed commentary, highlighting the machines’ capabilities, battery performance, and maintenance requirements. The drones, equipped with advanced sensors and cameras, demonstrated their potential to revolutionize farming practices, from crop monitoring to precision agriculture.
One of the event’s standout moments came from grower Danny Omodei, whose family has been farming potatoes in Pemberton for 62 years. Omodei shared a candid story about how drone use started on his farm, a tale that began over a few beers and progressed to integrating the machines into daily farm practice. “I can’t speak highly enough of drones and what they can do,” Omodei said. He spoke of the mistakes made and the learning curve involved in developing the right mixes for targeted applications. However, he also highlighted the significant improvements in efficiencies, targeted applications, and time savings that drones have brought to his farm.
Following the drone demonstrations, the event featured a presentation from Julie O’Halloran, Senior Development Horticulturist of the Queensland Department of Primary Industries’ VegMech program. O’Halloran was joined by Queensland grower Bryce Lamb, who recently returned from a study tour in the United States focused on advanced vegetable mechanisation. Their insights into labour and cost efficiency through mechanisation were invaluable, providing attendees with a broader perspective on the industry’s technological advancements.
Local cabbage and cauliflower grower Jake Ryan introduced attendees to the Open Weed Locator (OWL), a freely available spot-spraying software developed by researcher Guy Coleman. Ryan, who is actively building his own weeding robot, encouraged growers to explore the open-source framework and support efforts to develop a more comprehensive online weed image library. This initiative underscores the industry’s shift towards collaborative, technology-driven solutions.
The event also included a small trade display, where attendees explored a range of smart solutions. WA Potatoes showcased their Smart Spud impact sensor technology, while Coldahold presented Tolsma Grisnich cool storage technology. Farmlink Rural demonstrated MAIT Irrigation monitoring and management systems, each offering innovative ways to enhance farming practices.
The strong turnout at the event underscored the industry’s appetite for innovation and technology. Simon Moltoni, CEO of the Potato Growers Association of Western Australia, emphasized the importance of these advancements. “It’s not easy to entice growers away from their farms, so to have such a strong turnout indicates that there is an appetite for advancement and efficiency improvements in production,” he said. With labour challenges and increasing production costs, the adoption of new technologies is becoming crucial for the industry’s sustainability and growth.
The event was a collaborative effort between the Potato Growers Association of Western Australia, PotatoLink, Hort Innovation, vegNet, the Queensland Department of Primary Industries, and the Western Australia Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development. This collaboration highlights the industry’s commitment to driving innovation and supporting growers in their quest for efficiency and sustainability. As the event drew to a close, attendees left with a renewed sense of optimism and a clearer vision of the technological advancements that will shape the future of Western Australian horticulture.
