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AI Weed Detection Adopted by Elkcubra in Talwood, Australia for Sustainable Farming Efficiency

Implementation Date

November 3, 2023

By

Elkcubra

City

Talwood

story image

Description

Luke, a farmer, and land owner, sought to integrate modern technology into his existing operations to enhance efficiency and reduce chemical herbicide use while effectively controlling weeds. His goal was to apply AI and big data in a way that could function without an internet connection and enable precise weed management through spot spraying, thereby reducing chemical usage and operational costs. Facing challenges such as integrating advanced technology with his current equipment, reducing the environmental impact of herbicide usage, operating in areas with limited internet access, and implementing a cost-effective, scalable solution for long-term sustainability, Luke adopted a system that combined AI and big data with his existing tractors. This system utilized advanced AI-driven image recognition and data analytics to identify weeds, enabling spot spraying where herbicides were applied only to targeted areas, significantly reducing chemical use. A critical advantage of this system was its ability to operate without internet connectivity, allowing Luke to use it in remote fields without compromising efficiency.

Impact & Result

The AI-driven spot-spray technology reduced Luke's herbicide usage by 94%, leading to massive chemical savings and contributing to a more environmentally sustainable farming operation. By using less herbicide, Luke saved thousands of dollars per application (approximately he would save AUD$3760 per spray for a 200 hectare paddock), typically he would spray 2-5 times a year. With a property of 3000 hectare, he saves approximately AUD$282,000 per year for his farm in fallow sprays. Beyond the immediate financial benefits, the reduction in chemical usage positioned Luke's farming practices to be more sustainable in the long run, contributing to better soil health and reduced environmental impact. Through the integration of AI and big data, Luke modernized his farming operations, saving both money and resources. The system not only reduced his immediate costs but also paved the way for more sustainable and efficient farming practices in the future.

Solution Spotlight

Farmers are wasting herbicide by spraying areas of the paddock that don't need it. It is not only expensive for farmers, but also pollutes the soils, waterways and in some cases can affect human health. The solution is a fallow weed detection platform that allows farmers to target weeds using their existing machinery. This reduces chemical use by up to 97.5% and turns their existing machinery into a weed targeting platform. The solution uses aerial imagery (drone or plane), to identify and locate weeds. From there a tractor ready file is generated and given to the farmers. This file helps control the nozzles, turning them on if there are weeds and off if there are no weeds. This platform has helped a farmer save over $14,000 in chemical costs on a 700ha paddock.

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