NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) says popular demand is driving the development of its new precision agronomy course for grain growers.

NSW DPI Tocal lecturer, Matt Notley, said the course, scheduled to run later this month and into 2018 at Yanco, Trangie, Condobolin and Narrabri, was developed following the success of precision agriculture field days held earlier this year.

“Feedback from growers, agronomists and industry advisers has led to the creation of a new four-day course which will run in two units a month apart,” Mr Notley said.

“Nationally accredited, the training program has been designed by farmers for farmers, and it’s proving to be popular, with full subscription to the first courses at the Yanco Agricultural Institute this November and December.

“Growers and agronomists are attracted by the hands-on nature of the course, which offers practical approaches and realistic outcomes, where participants learn to better use existing services, technology and data.”

Mr Notley said the course aims to help boost the function and integration of the latest generation technology and deliver real returns on investment.

“New equipment and data management systems offer farmers the opportunity to lift production and reduce input costs by using available data in ways we had previously not envisioned,” he said.

“The growth and development of digital agriculture is delivering a huge leap forward for local farmers with sophisticated systems, which allow them to use data from soil tests, yield and weed maps and GPS to effectively manage their farming operations.

“Growers, farm staff and agronomists will learn how to use soil maps and analytical software to develop prescription maps for variable rate fertiliser and soil amendment applications and weed management systems.”

More information on the course, locations and scheduled dates for 2017 and 2018 is available from NSW DPI Tocal College, www.tocal.nsw.edu.au/courses and precisionag@tocal.com.