Radio interview with John Markley 9th October 2009
Tractors around Mackay are getting installed with cutting edge technology, so farmers can more efficiently keep records.
Small touch screen computers are part of the “AgDat” program, that has been developed by local industry groups over the last year.
With the help of Reef rescue funding, 6 tractors have the equipment, with 20 to be installed in the next couple of weeks.
John Markley is the Projects and Productivity co-ordinator at Mackay sugar says there’d a big benefit for growers.
“Growers are like anyone need to keep lots of information”.
Aside from convenience, the technology has an environmental benefit, in that it minimises the amount of fertiliser used on the farm,
Mr Markley says, while the technology was not developed with the government’s reef regulations in mind, but will be useful when the laws come into effect.
Markley interview (audio)