Completed project
Adoption of precision systems technology in vegetable production (VG16009)
Publication date: December 7, 2018
Delivery Partner: The Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries
From 2016 to 2020, this investment supported the vegetable industry in adopting precision agriculture technologies through the establishment of case-study farms in each state for research and extension – including training events and field days – and delivery of a suite of communication materials to showcase potential applications of relevant technologies.
Literature review of precision agriculture technologies
Earlier on in the investment, the research team produced a comprehensive literature review of the ways that precision agriculture technologies can assist vegetable producers. The review investigates the use of various sensors that often capture images, as well as variable rate technology (a shift from uniform crop management), and advances in yield monitoring.
Case study demonstration sites
The establishment of grower led case study sites across Australia allowed the demonstration of a broad range of precision agriculture technology and approaches, therefore encouraging adoption of these methods by vegetable growers. These sites have generated substantial evidence of how precision agriculture technology has been successfully implemented
These sites used methods such as crop sensing imagery, yield forecasting from remotely sensed crop imagery, yield and profit/loss mapping, a range of soil mapping technologies, variable rate application, precision drainage technologies and various drone applications. Over 90 per cent of grower cooperators continued their use of precision agriculture approaches implemented through the project, with 72 per cent also expanding to other precision technologies.
Key insights and learnings from the project
A broad suite of communication outputs were delivered by the project team, including case studies, fact sheets, webinars and industry articles that are available below.
Case studies:
Fact sheets:
Videos:
This project was a strategic levy investment in the Hort Innovation Vegetable Fund
© 2026 Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited.
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