Farming hub the go-to for drought and climate change info

FarmX sponsor and exhibitor Tas Farm Innovation Hub had a team of people on hand to handle questions and to give advice to farmers with a desire to build critical skills and knowledge to prepare for drought and climate change.

The Tasmanian Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub – known as the TAS Farm Innovation Hub – is one of eight established across Australia by the Commonwealth Future Drought Fund.

Through the hub, people and organisations in the agriculture industry build knowledge to drive innovation in their businesses, care for land and waterways, and enhance community wellbeing.

Director Sandra Knowles said at the event that innovation is not just about ag tech, it’s about communication, research and the practice of change.

“At the Hub we’ve been working closely with our partners like TasFarmers and also smaller industry players like AgLogic and FarmPulse and really trying to encourage farmers to adopt soil moisture probes and weather stations and help them understand the data and be confident to make the decisions that change practices on farms.

“Our climate is changing, with some places in drought conditions and others flooding more often. Adopting new innovation and new practices will build resilience and preparation.

“Agriculture is so important to the economy that we need to make sure we are prepared for what comes and make changes sooner rather than when it’s too late.

Ms Knowles said that in 10 years’ time she would like to see a lot more ag tech on farms, more farmer groups embracing their own micro-climates and engaging in peer-to-peer learning.

“It’s about understanding what can be achieved with water security and where the climate is going so that they can adapt.

“Farmers are receptive to innovation when they are included in its development, so we’re working with the University of Tasmania to take their great research and translate that to change on the ground.

“Farmers are the best innovators, they understand their businesses so we go to them and ask them what the problem is and then find the solution.”

Ms Knowles said that soil and water are of paramount importance and applauded the Tasmanian Irrigation Scheme as “a fantastic development”.

“It’s pivotal for farmers to understanding water security and do their water budgeting and work out what they will need in the next 5-10 years.

“We also work with Pinion Advisory, in fact it’s our largest project, and it’s about things like understanding the maintenance of irrigation systems, water budgeting, and stock water.

“That’s been one of our most successful projects so far along with young innovators at Hagley Farm School who are learning to understand soil moisture and weather data and know how to be water secure.”