AUSTRALIAN agtech brand Farmbot has now sold more than 5000 water monitoring units, with the company saying the COP26 summit in Glasgow has boosted sales in recent weeks.

Farmbot monitor in place on a tank in a grazing operation

Farmbot’s growth has accelerated significantly in the past 18 months, with the company now operating in every state and territory of Australia. Earlier this year, Telstra invested $1 million into the company as part of a $2.7 million capital raising by the company.

Managing director Andrew Coppin, said the company’s growth was based on its solution addressing farmers’ most obvious problem.

“The first thought of just about every farmer in Australia each day is about weather and water,” Mr Coppin said.

“Is there enough water? Is it where it should be? Will it be able to reach livestock or crops?”

Mr Coppin said interest in the company had been boosted recently, with discussions at the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow.

“One of the core benefits of a remote monitoring solution is that farmers travel across their properties far less, taking tens of thousands of fuel-inefficient vehicles off the road each day,” said Mr Coppin.

“Of course, that alone isn’t going to totally wipe out the global carbon footprint, but it is a useful tactic in a broader strategy.

“When considered in the broader context around more efficient water use and improved animal welfare outcomes, Farmbot has a key role to play in any farmers sustainable farming strategy.”

The company boasts some of Australia’s largest farms as customers including Northern Territory cattle station, Crown Point Pastoral.  Manager Colleen Costello said remote monitoring made the company more efficient.

“As a producer there are two resources we always need more of – water and time. Farmbot gives us more of both,” Ms Costello said.

“With real-time alerts, we no longer have to send runners out to check all our tanks and dams.

Farmbot’s next move is a launch overseas where trials have already taken place.

“The issues surrounding climate volatility and drought are far from a unique Australian problem,” Mr Coppin said.

“Parts of the United States are enduring historic droughts, and farmers will be looking to technology to make sure they are better prepared for a future where chronic and flash droughts are more likely.

“That’s why we are already on the ground in the US, with a successful trial program underway in several states.

“We’re ready to export Australian water innovation,” Mr Coppin said.

Source: Farmbot Monitoring Solutions