Funding for livestock tracker research

Virtual-fencingFarmers in eligible local government areas will now have until Friday February 26
to get their applications in for grants of up to $25,000 as part of the Round 2 funding for the On-farm Internet of Things trial.

Grants are available to help farmers in Wellington Shire, City of Greater Shepparton, Buloke Shire, Loddon Shire and Moira Shire to invest in digital Internet of Things (IoT) technology on their farms.

Agriculture Victoria Industry Technology Coordinator Mark Gould said the trial is designed to test IoT technology on sheep, dairy, horticulture and cropping farms in the trial regions.

‘Farmers who participated in the Round 1 trial are testing on-farm technology including security, logistics and stock monitoring systems, soil moisture probes, livestock trackers, milk vat monitors, security cameras and surface level monitors for troughs and dams.

‘By investing in IoT technology, farmers can understand the nitty-gritty of what works and what doesn’t work on their farms,’ he said.

The grants are based on a two-to-one co-contribution. Every dollar a farmer invests will be matched by two dollars from the Victorian Government up to a total of $25,000.

As part of the Internet of Things trial, IoT network connectivity is also provided until the end of the trial in late 2022 to farmers taking part in the trial.

‘Now that the deadline for applications has been extended, we’re encouraging farmers in the eligible local government areas to consider investing in digital technologies that will support their enterprises and submit their applications for funding,’ said Mr Gould.

More information about the application process is available on the Agriculture Victoria website.