The Certainty of Data - Bolstering instincts with insights

Michael and Helen Payten, owners of Alfalfa Farm near Canowindra, NSW, share how Agtech has transformed their farm management approach. As part of the Farms of the Future program, they saw the potential of digital tools to enhance efficiency and streamline operations. By integrating platforms like AgriWebb and AgWorld, they’ve simplified record-keeping and created a collaborative, data-driven environment for managing their property.

Tank and soil monitors now provide real-time updates directly to the team’s phones, significantly reducing time spent on manual checks and enabling more shared responsibility. This change means that instead of inspecting water tanks in person, team members receive notifications about resource levels, making water and fuel management more efficient and freeing up time for other tasks.

Using AgriWebb, the Payten’s now maintain seamless records on livestock treatments and inventory, which updates automatically with each use and offers complete transparency for audits, saving hours of paperwork. AgWorld’s crop management tools allow them to track chemical use and herbicide resistance, with detailed histories that help them plan for smarter crop rotations and better manage crop health. INCYT’s spray advisory tower further improves sustainability by providing real-time feedback on wind, temperature, and humidity, guiding them to spray in ideal conditions, conserve chemicals, and avoid environmental impact from off-target drift.

The Payten’s’ remote weather station also offers continuous updates, enabling Michael to monitor frost risk even while traveling. From overseas, he was able to assess a frost event with his agronomist and decide on crop management strategies, showing how this connected approach supports critical decision-making from anywhere.

Michael and Helen began their journey with the Farms of the Future program by completing the “Monitoring Your Farm with Agtech” training course. Through the course, they developed a Farm Monitoring Plan that helped them identify their specific needs and select the most valuable Agtech solutions for their property. This training empowered them to approach Agtech adoption strategically, ensuring each new tool met a real farm need, enhanced productivity, and aligned with their goals for sustainability and resource management.

Key Benefits

Benefits: Time savings, increased efficiency, collaborative farm management, streamlined audit readiness, optimised chemical usage, improved sustainability, remote monitoring, and data-driven decision-making.