FarmWeb 2.0: online spatial information tools to improve farm productivity

Over the last decade our Agriculture Research Division has taken the lead in investigating the link between on-farm actions, productivity and environmental outcomes as agricultural industries are coming under increased external scrutiny from customers and regulators to demonstrate environmental compliance.

Spatial information for the management of individual farms, entire landscapes and sub-regions assists productivity improvement, land and water management, reduces environmental impact and supports farm extension activities.

The initial focus will be on the dairy industry where the department has been working in partnership with Murray Goulburn, as part of a project co-funded by the Gardiner Foundation to trial and test FarmWeb 2.0 as a vehicle to deliver nutrient management services including  a Dairy Farm Nutrient Balance Calculator and associated within farm nutrient management tools.

This project targets the whole of Victoria and is funded from 2011 to 2015.

Project objectives

• Design, test and deploy a user-friendly web-based spatial mapping and data management program for the Victorian dairy industry, researchers and extension providers.
• Evaluate and communicate the effectiveness and usability of FarmWeb 2.0 as a tool for improved production and natural resource management outcomes on farms, and as an effective platform for sharing research outcomes with industry.
• Develop, apply and evaluate national data standards for the management and exchange of farm mapping data (FarmML) for Australian agricultural applications.

How will this research contribute to productivity?

• Enable farmers to improve productivity while reducing their environmental impact.
• Improve industry and landholder decision-making leading to on-farm production outcomes and environmental benefits at various scales.
• Demonstrate sound land and water management to regulatory authorities and customers.

Where are we now?

• Created an online prototype farm mapping tool called FarmWeb 2.0 using open source technology.  This online tool will allow users to locate and map their property and its paddocks and to access information such as aerial photography, weather and soil types.
• Created a Nutrient Management service that delivers a Dairy Farm Nutrient Balance Calculator within FarmWeb 2.0.  This enables users to perform a whole farm nutrient balance for the property and establish a benchmark for measuring improvements in nutrient use efficiency over time.
• The project has completed three test trials with MG Field staff and suppliers.

• Murray Goulburn FarmCare facilitators and agronomists have been trained on how to deliver the tool to Murray Goulburn suppliers, with further development and broader industry access planned as part of the final phase of the project.

Research partner/s and collaborators

Murray Goulburn Co-operative

Gardiner Dairy Foundation

Project leader contact

Andy McAllister
Senior Research Scientist
andy.mcallister@ecodev.vic.gov.au