Innovation in Digital Agriculture

From GMOs and GPS, to remote sensing, genomics, AI and blockchain – our digital and data-driven technology is transforming agriculture and food across the supply chain.

The digital revolution continues to transform agriculture, in the way it has transformed other key industries, such as telecommunications, banking and mining.

Digital agriculture makes use of integrated and connected computerised tools and information, to improve decision-making and productivity across all stages of food production – from genetics to farm management, transport and to the consumer.

Agriculture is yet to experience the full effect of digital technology but leads the way in some of the frontier digital sciences, such as linking remote sensing and predictive systems with genetics and genomics. Read more about digital agriculture.

The University of Queensland (UQ) and its research institute the Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI) offer world-leading capabilities in digital agriculture.

UQ is Australia’s leading agricultural research institution and is ranked number four globally (NTU rankings 2018) and at QAAFI, our integrated research teams across cereal and legume crops, horticulture, animal, and food and nutrition sciences, are world-leaders in cutting edge digital technologies.

Our digital agriculture capabilities include:
Crop modelling and forecasting
Crop forecasting
Genomics and genetics
Sensors and automation
Supply chains and markets
Protected cropping and controlled environments

Dr Luis Prada e Silva Senior, Research Fellow, Centre for Animal Science, QAAFI, The University of Queensland

“A 25% boost to the value of Australian agriculture ($20.3 billion increase from 2014–15 GVP) with all sectors benefitting... biggest cross-sectoral gains were labour savings from automation ($7.4 billion), genetic gains through objective data ($2.9 billion), closer tailoring of inputs to needs ($2.3 billion), and enhancements to market access and biosecurity ($1 billion).”  

Farm Policy Journal (Heath, 2018)

Beef cattle in field

Northern cattle, 2018 © QAAFI

Northern cattle, 2018 © QAAFI

Crop modelling and decision support icon

Crop modelling and decision support

QAAFI conducts world leading research targeting enhanced profitability and sustainability of cereal and legume cropping systems in tropical and sub-tropical environments. Digital agriculture technologies integrate our research capabilities at molecular, whole plant, and production systems, with our frontier research in climate modelling, prediction agriculture, genetics and farming systems to provide tomorrow’s decision support tools today.

Professor Graeme Hammer inspecting sorghum in glasshouse

Professor Graeme Hammer © QAAFI

Professor Graeme Hammer © QAAFI

Sorghum research heats up

In a changing climate, farmers are already finding that extreme heat events are having a negative impact on the productivity of sorghum crops. Combining genomics, phenomics and modelling, QAAFI researchers are developing more temperature-tolerant varieties of a staple crop. Read more

Professor Mark Cooper

Professor Mark Cooper © QAAFI

Professor Mark Cooper © QAAFI

Computer ‘brain’ trawls vast datasets for crop advances

New breeding systems predict the likely paddock performance of breeding material based on a marriage of biological data, climate records and machine-based crop improvement. Read more

Listen to UQ ChangeMakers podcast with Professor Mark Cooper

Professor Mark Cooper is leading the way by returning to UQ as the Chair in Prediction Based Crop Improvement – a role which aims to find innovative solutions to the world’s food-gap issue. 

Sunsrise in wheat field

Sunsrise in wheat field

Sunsrise in wheat field

Artificial intelligence helps make the world more food secure

A new QAAFI-developed crop simulation software can be fed early-stage photosynthesis discoveries – discoveries that are being made at the molecular (or subcellular) scale – and extrapolate how this altered photosynthesis biochemistry might impact on crop performance in the form of virtual plants grown under realistic farming conditions affected by real-world weather, soil and rainfall data. Read more

QAAFI science seminar on digital modelling and horticultural small tree productivity

Small trees horticultural initiative: Modelling biology

The Small-Trees High-Productivity project seeks to improve mango, avocado and macadamia harvests through a better understanding of tree vigour, developmental architecture, crop load, and canopy light relations. Outcomes of experiments in these areas are integrated through functional-structural plant modelling, enabling insights into design of the new orchard systems, which are the ultimate target of the project.

Crop physiology and modelling research at QAAFI involves developing crops that are resilient to different stresses like drought, heat and cold, through using genetic and management solutions.

Abstract image of digital cropping

Digital cropping

Digital cropping

Digital technology is only ever a means to an end.

This end may be decision making, although it might also be transparency/provenance, quality, communication, pricing, market connectivity, market power, market access, market growth, responsiveness and agility or simply enhanced market intelligence.

Drone over sorghum field at Gatton Research Facility

Drone over sorghum field at Gatton Research Facility © QAAFI

Drone over sorghum field at Gatton Research Facility © QAAFI

Crop forecasting icon

Crop forecasting

We integrate satellite data, field experimentation, modelling tools, and socioeconomic data, to generate new science that supports decision-making for economic, environmental, and social outcomes to design farming systems better able to deal with production, climate and market risks.

Satellite imagery of a farm

Satellite imagery of Darling Downs and around Dalby captured on 31 May 2017 from the Sentinel II satellite. © QAAFI

Satellite imagery of Darling Downs and around Dalby captured on 31 May 2017 from the Sentinel II satellite. © QAAFI

Predicting crop yields from space funded under a joint Queensland-China scheme

QAAFI is working with the Beijing-based Institute of Remote Sensing and Digital Earth (RADI) to develop crop yield prediction systems using satellite data and biophysical crop modelling systems. The project will help producers and industry cope with weather extremes and climate change.

Sorghum field

Sorghum field

Sorghum field

Predicting optimum crop designs using crop models and seasonal climate forecasts

Bridging productivity gaps by identifying optimum combination genetics and agronomic managements (i.e. crop designs) for the prevailing and expected growing environment – testing skillful seasonal climate forecasting systems. Read more

Satellite map of Australia

Satellite map of Australia

Satellite map of Australia

Seasonal sorghum and wheat forecasts

QAAFI produces regular seasonal outlooks for sorghum and wheat producers in Queensland. OZ-Wheat regional wheat yield forecasts are developed from climate data and modelling, remote sensing and historical data showing likely yield outcomes. They cover Queensland and northern New South Wales. sorghum crop outlooks cover Queensland and northern New South Wales and are based on cropping after winter fallow, sorghum modelling, actual climate data, up to the forecasting date and projected climate data. Read more

Satellite drone and field composition

Satellite drone and field composition

Satellite drone and field composition

Agriculture takes a lead in some areas of technology adoption such as genetics and genomics, however lags in other areas of adoption such as financing instruments, automation and market access.

DNA helix

DNA helix

DNA helix

Genomics and genetics icon

Genomics and genetics

QAAFI is home to several of the world’s most highly recognised scientists working in genetics, genomics and genomic prediction across plant and animal agriculture. In crops, our integrated pre-breeding research programs deliver improved lines to industry based on advanced genetics, phenotyping, bioinformatics, trait physiology and modelling.  In animals, we have major programs and capability in genetics and genomics; and the breeding and reproductive capability of northern Australian cattle breeds.

Professor Ben Hayes taking a tail hair sample from cattle

Professor Ben Hayes taking a tail hair sample from cattle

Professor Ben Hayes taking a tail hair sample from cattle

Developing a DNA test to predict the value of an animal’s genetics for fertility

The dream of running a heifer up a crush somewhere in the Gulf country, pulling out some tail hair and within minutes, getting an accurate prediction on her fertility, is one that could soon be realised. Read more

Sugarcane at Meringa research station

Sugarcane field trials at SRA research station, Meringa, Queensland

Sugarcane field trials at SRA research station, Meringa, Queensland

Sugarcane genomics breakthrough a game-changer

Sugarcane is world leading industrial crop, important to Queensland and Australia. It is a highly efficient biomass crop and produces higher value products. QAAFI researchers, working with Sugar Research Australia, to sequence the sugarcane genome. Sugarcane is the last of the global crops to have its genome sequenced, and it is the most complex genome of crop plants. Read more

High folate strawberry in the lab

High folate strawberry in the lab © QAAFI

High folate strawberry in the lab © QAAFI

Breeding high folate strawberries for human health

Scientists have discovered an ‘alpha strawberry’ that is very sweet in flavour and has folate levels that may be up to three times higher than standard strawberries. Read more

Professor Robert Henry collecting wild rice samples in Cape York.

Professor Robert Henry collecting wild rice samples in Cape York, North Queensland.  © QAAFI

Professor Robert Henry collecting wild rice samples in Cape York, North Queensland.  © QAAFI

Ancient rice genetics a boon for modern production

Wild Australian rice genes could make commercial rice production better suited to northern Australian conditions. The wild rices could contribute resistance to diseases such as rice blast, brown spot and bacterial leaf spots. Read more

24 hour lighting in speed breeding glasshouse

24 hour lighting in speed breeding glasshouse © QAAFI

24 hour lighting in speed breeding glasshouse © QAAFI

Could AI Deliver The Next Wheat Breakthrough?

Recent advances in ‘evolutionary computing’ – a branch of artificial intelligence (AI) – are being tapped into in an effort to speed up genetic gain in wheat breeding programs. AI platform FastStack is being designed to track the flow of valuable genes in breeding programs and detect those combinations most likely to improve crop performance.

Sowing a maize trial by hand, at an agricultural research station in Sussundenga, central-western Mozambique

Sowing a maize trial by hand, at an agricultural research station in Sussundenga, central-western Mozambique © QAAFI

Sowing a maize trial by hand, at an agricultural research station in Sussundenga, central-western Mozambique © QAAFI

Breeding Program Analysis Tool

QAAFI and UQ are working with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to evaluate and improve breeding programs in developing countries. The project aims to identify ways of improving breeding programs, leading to greater genetic gains and on-farm profitability. Read more

A digitised macadamia tree model

A digitised macadamia tree model © QAAFI

A digitised macadamia tree model © QAAFI

Sustainable intensification of Australia's horticultural industry

The Horticultural Tree Genomics project will provide the genetic knowledge required for advanced breeding programs and future intensification of five important Australian horticultural tree crops – avocado, mango, macadamia, citrus and almond. Read more

Abstract image of  maize and DNA helix

Abstract image of maize and DNA helix

Abstract image of maize and DNA helix

Digital should be about connectedness, it should be about having better knowledge to predict outcomes, or at least increasing confidence that an outcome will occur. Digital is meant to free up time, energy, space to enable more innovative thinking.

A cross section of a young wheat (Triticum) stem. Magnification 40x

A cross section of a young wheat (Triticum) stem. Magnification 40x

A cross section of a young wheat (Triticum) stem. Magnification 40x

Sensors and automation icon

Sensors and automation

Digital technologies such as the use of satellite linked geo-positioning systems and sensors mounted on UAVs and fit-for-purpose ground rigs enable remote estimation of plant vigour and growth traits. This accelerates selection of adapted lines in large breeding trials and helps in making agronomic decisions on field management tailored to in-field variation. Across the plant, livestock and horticulture sectors, digital technologies are helping to tailor decisions and improve productivity across the supply chain.

Gekko phenotyping tractor and  Dr Barbara George-Jaeggli at Hermitage Field Station, Warrick

Gekko phenotyping tractor and Dr Barbara George-Jaeggli at Hermitage Field Station, Warrick © QAAFI

Gekko phenotyping tractor and Dr Barbara George-Jaeggli at Hermitage Field Station, Warrick © QAAFI

All-seeing ‘tractor’ takes crop science to the future

An all-seeing mobile platform bristling with lenses and sensors can drive over trial plots during different growth stages and compile a composite ‘picture’ from the visible to the infrared light spectrums, from thermal and chemical imaging, and laser reflectance (or Lidar as it is known) for high-definition 3D profiles of the plant canopy. Read more

QAAFI researcher Alemu Tirfessa inspecting the lysimeter platforms

QAAFI researcher Alemu Tirfessa inspecting the lysimeter platforms © QAAFI

QAAFI researcher Alemu Tirfessa inspecting the lysimeter platforms © QAAFI

Drought adaptation: Automated lysimeter platforms

Each lysimeter is located on a load cell and lysimeter weights are recorded every 10 minutes.  The rewatering of each lysimeter is fully automated and linked to breeding and phenotyping programs. This Internet of Things digital technology has been trialled on maize, sorghum and wheat to develop fully automated watering systems and to identify water usage and transpiration rates.

Satellite drone mapping field (composite image)

Satellite drone mapping field (composite image)

Satellite drone mapping field (composite image)

Effective digital agriculture should integrate the key elements of agriculture – the biological and biophysical, with the mechanical, the environment with people, investments with markets and producers with consumers.

Sweet capsicum in glasshouse

Sweet capsicum in glasshouse

Sweet capsicum in glasshouse

Supply chain and markets icon

Supply chain and markets

Australia enjoys an enviable and deserved reputation as the producer of safe, clean, green foods and agricultural products. Protecting this supply chain is of paramount importance to the value of our agricultural produce and food supply. New digital technologies such as blockchain and distributed ledger enable coordination and transparency across supply chains, supporting provenance and value adding. It should also be noted that blockchain is also being used by major players in value chains to maintain and increase their bargaining power over the chain.

Farmer monitoring operations in the field

Farmer monitoring operations in the field

Farmer monitoring operations in the field

Financial decision support software

Associate Professor Damian Hine is leading a project on building farm financial models, supported by the rapid uptake of accounting systems such as Xero and MYOB. The project is designed to enhance the evidence base for better decision making at a number of levels.

Fresh mangoes in supermarket

Fresh mangoes in supermarket

Fresh mangoes in supermarket

Opportunities for horticultural industries in Northern Australia

Working with the CRC for Northern Australia, Associate Professor Damian Hine, QAAFI’s Professor Robert Henry and Professor Neena Mitter head a project to evaluate the potential to expand horticultural industries such as mangoes, lychees and avocados in Northern Australia.

Could cryptocurrencies let you control & sell access to your DNA data? BrisScience seminar with Dr Caitlin Curtis

Blockchain, genomics and cryptocurrency

Could cryptocurrencies let you control & sell access to your DNA data? Blockchain is the technology that underpins digital currencies. It works as a digital ledger and provides accountability and transparency.

Australian native food

Australian native food © QAAFI

Australian native food © QAAFI

Value-adding for premium Australian food brands and markets

With a developing global interest from consumers wanting to know where their food comes from and a growing, newly-affluent population in many Asian and other export markets, there is an opportunity for Australia to build on its reputation as a producer of quality foods to develop added-value products. QAAFI has major research themes and projects in this space.

Fresh produce in supermarket

Fresh produce in supermarket

Fresh produce in supermarket

The ability to counter the effects of climate change more effectively will also have positive environmental effects as well as productivity and profitability benefits.

Climate change and its impacts on agriculture

Climate change and its impacts on agriculture

Climate change and its impacts on agriculture

Protected cropping and controlled environments icon

Protected cropping and controlled environments

Automation and robotics are revolutionising the growth of crops in protected and controlled environments. Such environments range from netting and plastic coverings of crops, to climate-controlled structures with computerised ventilation systems, advanced computer-controlled heating and cooling systems and nutrition enrichment technologies which are now driving the growth of urban and vertical farms. Controlled environments provide optimal growing conditions while reducing and, in some conditions, almost eliminating the need for chemical inputs to manage pests and diseases.

QAAFI researchers inspect avocodo root stock that could contribute to easing the avocado shortage

QAAFI PhD student Jayeni Hiti Bandaralage, Dr Alice Hayward and Professor Neena Mitter inspect avocodo root stock that could contribute to easing the avocado shortage

QAAFI PhD student Jayeni Hiti Bandaralage, Dr Alice Hayward and Professor Neena Mitter inspect avocodo root stock that could contribute to easing the avocado shortage

Digital horticulture

QAAFI’s Professor Neena Mitter, Director of the Centre for Horticultural Sciences says protected cropping promises big things for both western and developing nations in terms of production and nutrition. Read more

Dr Lee Hickey in speed breeding glasshouse at UQ

Dr Lee Hickey in speed breeding glasshouse at UQ inspects wheat © QAAFI

Dr Lee Hickey in speed breeding glasshouse at UQ inspects wheat © QAAFI

Space age plant breeding lights the way for future crops

By using speed breeding techniques in specially modified glasshouses we can grow six generations of wheat, chickpea and barley plants, and four generations of canola plants in a single year – as opposed to two or three generations in a regular glasshouse, or a single generation in the field. Read more

John Innes Centre and UQ researchers optimise photosynthesis to promote rapid growth of crops with speed breeding technology

Researcher in glasshouse

Researcher in glasshouse

Researcher in glasshouse

Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI) at the Queensland Bioscience Precinct, The University of Queensland, St Lucia

Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI) at the Queensland Bioscience Precinct, The University of Queensland, St Lucia

Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI) at the Queensland Bioscience Precinct, The University of Queensland, St Lucia