Farming smarter, not harder: The Anderson family’s AgTech journey in Emerald

The  Anderson family, based in Emerald, is combining generations of farming knowledge with emerging agricultural technologies to create a more sustainable and efficient future.

Operating 2 properties, the family grows pulses, grains, and cotton using a mix of irrigation and rain-fed systems. With water sourced from the Fairbairn Irrigation Network, their operations reflect a strong commitment to efficiency and environmental stewardship.

The family’s youngest son, Mitchell, recently joined the business after completing school, keen to pursue a career in agriculture. His mother, Renée, is an agronomist with a passion for sustainability, integrated pest management and eco-modernism values aiming to ‘grow from what we have’. Mitchell is an accredited drone operator and interested in how they can be integrated into the business for benefit. The Andersons are accredited with Cotton myBMP and the Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) growers.

Growing a new generation

The Andersons are focused on sustainability in their business and the broader industry. Their business operates on a low input cost and high margin basis, focusing on profitability.

The Anderson family has already adopted several AgTech tools, including weather stations, moisture probes and canopy sensors for irrigation monitoring, and variable rate fertiliser systems.

They use in-tractor screens and management software for data collection and Xero for financials.

They also use satellite data and NDVI maps from various sources. Renée said sometimes it’s easy to get swept up in bright and shiny solutions and it can be hard to judge what’s right for their business.

“Is it a solution for a problem that exists or is it a solution for something that isn’t our problem,” Renée said.

However, not everything has been smooth sailing.

Data from various platforms doesn’t always communicate effectively, and manual integration is time-consuming, especially for compliance certification systems.

Like many producers, they have also experienced difficulty in accessing adequate support for troubleshooting from technology solutions providers.

The Andersons are a good example of a business where tech-savvy children are transitioning from school to full-time engagement in the farming business, bringing with them a fresh skill-set and perspective.

The Andersons are keen to ensure both their boys can contribute to the family business in a meaningful way, which makes the most of their unique, next generation talents.

About FarmTechConnect

FarmTechConnect was a 9-month pilot program helping producers like Renée assess AgTech and connectivity options to improve their businesses.

It included:

• one-on-one farm visits and interactive digital workbooks
• risk and ROI assessments
• skill-building in tech and connectivity
• attendance at leading AgTech events such as AGTECH 2024, Queensland AgTech Summit and evokeAG 2025
• peer learning and development of a 5-year AgTech adoption plan.

Connectivity is everything and terrain matters

Despite both farming operations being located close to the township of Emerald, Kerry Downs has a reasonable standard of 4G/5G mobile service, however Quingilli suffers from very poor to non-existent mobile connectivity, posing safety and operational issues. They currently rely on a satellite phone for safety at Quingilli.

The Andersons recently upgraded their fixed wireless internet connection at Kerry Downs and installed point-to-point boosters to extend this service to their training area and machinery shed where they frequently host on-farm events for industry. They are looking to further invest in WiFi connectivity at both farms.

The challenge with leveraging any internet connection is always the quality of backhaul that is available. In the Anderson’s case, they have 2 technologies available at both sites. Starlink would work out of the box at both properties and provide better download speeds than those currently available, albeit at a higher price point.  Upload speeds would be acceptable for what is required.

The fixed wireless solution currently being used at Kerry Downs could also be deployed at Quingilli, provided vegetation is removed to give clear line of site to the tower.

Either backhaul solution can then be leveraged with outdoor WiFi access points that provide significant coverage of up to a 500 m radius for a reasonable cost. Point to point wireless connections are also an option to further leverage the backhaul to sites across the farm. These remote sites would require power from a mains connection or solar solution.

Key challenges for the Anderson family

• Disjointed tech and data management: Data from various platforms is disparate and record-keeping for BMP and BCI is manual and arduous, requiring fragmented systems reporting. They desire a better grasp on costs and efficiencies in inputs as well as the ability to better forward plan.
• Irrigation management: Challenges include managing flow rates from the channel scheme, labour in operating syphons, and improving irrigation infrastructure. They have a highly manual irrigation system with an ‘uplift farm’ where water needs to be lifted with a high number of gates in the system.
• Remote pump automation: The Anderson family want to remotely control pumps, especially at Quingilli, as it is difficult to access them when wet on the black soil. For many Central Highlands producers, the wet season often means trudging through sticky mud for hours to reach pumps that vehicles can’t access.
• Connectivity issues: Poor connectivity at Quingilli impacts safety and operations.
• Weed management: They are looking for more efficient and sustainable weed control methods and are exploring optical spray technology or drone-based precision spraying to reduce chemical input and address resistant weeds.
• Time-consuming data entry: The Andersons want to reduce time spent on computer-based data entry and only enter data once, rather than re-entering from the field records back at the office.
• 3G upgrade for tractors: They leveraged the On Farm Connectivity grant to upgrade tractor modems during the phase out of 3G services. However, they have now discovered that they will also have to upgrade the screens, which were not part of the funding program.

The plan: smarter farming over 5 years

With support through the FarmTechConnect program, the Andersons have developed a 5-year plan for AgTech adoption that includes:

• Farm Management Software (FMS): a system integrated with financial management software to consolidate record-keeping, streamline sustainability reporting for BCI/BMP, and provide a platform to analyse input/output costs and use for forward planning.
• Moisture monitoring: alternative soil moisture probes to replace their current tech for more reliable moisture, temperature, and EC monitoring. These are being trialled by 2 other FarmTechConnect participants, so the Andersons can see how they work and whether they are the right fit for them.
• Remote pump automation: satellite-connected remote control of diesel pumps at Quingilli to avoid the challenge of pump operations in wet weather, which precludes vehicle access.
• Satellite and drone technology for precision agriculture: exploring several technologies for targeted weed control through a mix of satellite and drone applications for in-crop weed mapping, precision spraying to reduce chemical use, and optimisation of nutrition.
• Water flow monitoring in irrigation: drone technology with RGB sensors to visualise water distribution in the field during irrigation events. This might be a bespoke solution for their unique ‘uplift farm’ irrigation challenges.
• Connectivity improvements: WiFi connectivity at both farms and exploring solutions for better data connectivity at Quingilli.
• Machinery upgrades: upgrading tractor screens in tandem with their recent modem replacement program. They are keen to ensure interoperability between their new farm management software and existing machinery data such as yield maps through the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OME) software.

Cost benefits: AgTech adoption for farm management

The first AgTech solution the Andersons plan to implement is FMS, a strategic move estimated to cost $2,795 annually.

Including an initial setup labour cost of $2,200 and ongoing annual labour of $550, the total 5-year investment in this AgTech is projected to be $18,375.

This move is set to deliver substantial financial returns, primarily through significant savings in labour, reduced pest management expenses, and a boost in crop production.

The FMS is expected to generate considerable savings. Labour dedicated to BMP and BCI recording and reporting will be cut from 2 hours to one hour per week, saving $7,920 annually. In pest management, better information and electronic record-keeping are estimated to save 25 hours per month in unnecessary sprays and decision-making time, equating to $33,000 annually. An additional $2,450 per year will be saved on fuel, oil, repairs, and maintenance due to a 35-hour reduction in spraying operations, alongside a $15,000 annual reduction in chemical costs (a 10% decrease).

Collectively, these pest management efficiencies total $48,000 in annual savings. In addition, improved chemical records and spray decisions are anticipated to enhance crop growth by 10% through better water use efficiency, resulting in a 7.5% increase in crop gross margins, adding $262,500 annually. The total annual benefit from this AgTech adoption is projected to be $318,420.

The economic analysis highlights a remarkable return on this AgTech investment. Over a 5-year period, the Return on Investment (ROI) is an impressive 17,229%, indicating a return of $177.23 for every dollar invested. With a 7% per annum discount rate, the Net Present Value (NPV) is calculated at $1,272,159 over 5 years, signifying a substantial increase in wealth for the Andersons.

Crucially, the payback period for this investment is less than one year, even accounting for an 8% per annum bank loan. Beyond the quantifiable benefits, the FMS is also expected to reduce stress through better farm management decisions and decrease environmental impacts, contributing an estimated $5,000 per annum in personal utility and further boosting the ROI to 17,501% and NPV to $1,292,374.

Cost benefits analysis was undertaken by the Department of Primary Industries and the producer participant using real life data.

Looking ahead

They are particularly motivated to move across to their new FMS in the first year of their 5-year plan with a view to further expanding to encompass ESG and net-zero emissions factors over time.

Their commitment aligns with Queensland’s vision under Primary Industries Prosper 2050 by leveraging automation and digital tools to transform production systems.

Find out more

View the detailed Cost Benefit Analysis.

Find out how AgTech could help your business, or email the Central Queensland Smart Cropping Centre at cqscc@dpi.qld.gov.au.