Southern Farming Systems’ (SFS) moisture probe network now has a new web-based platform called Probe Trax.
Developed in collaboration with Federation University, Probe Trax will allow growers ... to interact with the probes in an intuitive and user friendly way.
- Paul Breust
Fifty moisture probes have been strategically located in the western district of Victoria, giving up-to-date data on soil moisture profiles.
Developed in collaboration with Federation University, Probe Trax will allow growers – including SFS members and the public – to interact with the probes in an intuitive and user friendly way.
Users of the new platform can look at the data in a graphical format.
The graphs show the sum total of the soil moisture or moisture levels of each individual 10cm depth.
Soil temperature can also be viewed for each individual 10cm depth.
The graphs are highly interactive, allowing users to view many years or weekly intervals with the click of a button. Another option allows growers to set up SMS and email alerts when soil moisture reaches certain levels for all or individual sensors. If the probe has a fault, an automatic alert will be sent to the grower and network administrator.
A weekly summary of moisture levels will allow users to be updated regularly on the soil moisture profiles for their selected probes.
SFS believes the probes will become a valuable tool for growers in future management decision making.
For example, growers can use historical data from the probes and crop yields to estimate nitrogen applications and crop species selection, identifying sowing opportunities and fungicide use.
As more data for a bigger range of seasonal conditions is collected, the more useful the probes will become to growers.
Probe Trax will be available on a subscription basis.
More information is available on the SFS web site at www.sfs.org.au, where you can also view an instructional video that outlines the capabilities and features of Probe Trax.
