Researcher sought for practical data transfer solutions project

The central Queensland tertiary institution has opened applications for a scholarship, sponsored by Telstra, to undertake postgraduate research that will explore ways to improve data processing and transfer in rural and remote livestock operations.

The precision livestock management team leader, Professor Dave Swain, said that while communications in the bush was a hot topic, this research project was about thinking outside the box in low-bandwidth remote locations.

“We’ve been doing a lot of measuring and one of our big challenges going forward is how to get data off-property and into a central point in a useful way.

“We need to look at sensors on animals and water points, cloud storage, and the best use of power.

“Maybe we use low-band technology linked with a satellite such as Irridium.”

At the end of the day is a practical solution for the rural industry, for whom connectivity is a major issue when contemplating whether or not to adopt new management technologies such as water sensors or walk-over weighing units.

Professor Swain said that processing data from on-site sensors would make transferring it a lot more efficient.

The university is looking for a PhD applicant who is interested in agriculture but with a specialised interest in technology.

“We particularly want someone with a practical approach,” he said.

The successful person will have a network of technology experts to help develop their knowledge and progress their career in agri-technology.

For more information and to apply go to www.cqu.edu.au/research/research-scholarships

Telstra has already assisted CQUniversity PhD student, Don Menzies, with his work on reproduction, using telemetry to gather data on things such the date of calving.

“We worked to give Telstra value – it was a worthwhile partnership,” Professor Swain said.

He added that there was “a fair bit going on” in the university’s research environment, integrating technology via Data Muster, particularly in the automatic monitoring space, which would help cattle tracking and with stock theft.

“We are also looking at reducing labour costs when recording performance,” he said.