Projects
Increasing producer use of the TAFCO online automatic weather stations
The project aimed to upgrade and enhance the existing network of online weather stations in North-East Victoria. The project addressed the impending shutdown of the Telstra 3G network in 2024, which would have rendered the current weather stations obsolete.
The project successfully upgraded seven weather stations located in the King Valley, Whorouly, Beechworth, Myrtleford, Rosewhite, Porepunkah, and Coral Bank. These upgrades included the integration of a disease alert notification system and the provision of real-time data on air temperature, humidity, wind speed and direction, rainfall, soil temperature, barometric pressure, leaf wetness, and Delta-T. Historical data for all sites is also available online.
The upgraded weather stations now offer a stable online platform through Green Brain in South Australia, with integration to the GrowCare web app. This platform provides graphs of natural resource management weather data, local regional weather data, and disease risk alerts for several crops. The data helps producers manage diverse crops, improve animal health, protect the environment, and utilize natural resources more effectively. It also aids in decision-making related to crop selection, irrigation, spray application, and risk management.
The project has significantly increased the accessibility and usability of weather data for producers, enabling them to make faster and more accurate decisions. The network's real-time data assists in better managing agronomy, improving quality assurance systems, and implementing integrated pest management. Overall, the project has provided a valuable service to the agricultural community, ensuring the continued availability of critical weather information and supporting sustainable farming practices in North-East Victoria.
The project successfully upgraded seven weather stations located in the King Valley, Whorouly, Beechworth, Myrtleford, Rosewhite, Porepunkah, and Coral Bank. These upgrades included the integration of a disease alert notification system and the provision of real-time data on air temperature, humidity, wind speed and direction, rainfall, soil temperature, barometric pressure, leaf wetness, and Delta-T. Historical data for all sites is also available online.
The upgraded weather stations now offer a stable online platform through Green Brain in South Australia, with integration to the GrowCare web app. This platform provides graphs of natural resource management weather data, local regional weather data, and disease risk alerts for several crops. The data helps producers manage diverse crops, improve animal health, protect the environment, and utilize natural resources more effectively. It also aids in decision-making related to crop selection, irrigation, spray application, and risk management.
The project has significantly increased the accessibility and usability of weather data for producers, enabling them to make faster and more accurate decisions. The network's real-time data assists in better managing agronomy, improving quality assurance systems, and implementing integrated pest management. Overall, the project has provided a valuable service to the agricultural community, ensuring the continued availability of critical weather information and supporting sustainable farming practices in North-East Victoria.
