Gemma Heemskerk 1, Hayden Lewis 2, Andrew McAllister 2 , Cameron Gourley 3, Muhammad Islam4
1 Agriculture Research, Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources, Agriculture Victoria, 32 Lincoln Square North, Carlton Victoria 3053. Website: http://farmbuild.github.io/farmbuild/ Email: Gemma.Heemskerk@ecodev.vic.gov.au
2 Agriculture Research, Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources, Agriculture Victoria, 255 Ferguson Road, Tatura Victoria 3616. Email: Andy.McAllister@ecodev.vic.gov.au; Hayden.Lewis@ecodev.vic.gov.au
3 Agriculture Research, Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources, Agriculture Victoria, 1301 Hazeldean Road, Ellinbank Victoria 3821. Email: Cameron.Gourley@ecodev.vic.gov.au
4 Agriculture Research, Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources, Agriculture Victoria, Cnr Taylor St and Midland Hwy, Epsom Victoria 3551. Email: Muhammad.Islam@ecodev.vic.gov.au
Abstract
Victorian agriculture faces significant challenges to meet the demands of growing markets and continue to deliver production gains, while also demonstrating responsible management of resources. Nutrient resources are a key management consideration for Victorian agriculture. Translation of our science into practical, everyday decision support is achieved with FarmBuild that delivers algorithms, calculators, and key agricultural datasets as freely available online functions.
Agriculture industry service providers and software developers can utilise FarmBuild web services, Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), integrated data sources and open source JavaScript API sample code, to build their own digital tools. This will enable providers to support their own clients, and be customised for their specific needs. Whole farm nutrient balance models, as well as farm mapping and soil information, are currently available as on-line FarmBuild functions.
FarmBuild is a unique distribution channel for Agriculture Victoria’s science. Decades of scientific research and data collation to understand whole farm nutrient balances is being delivered as web services and API’s. This allows third-party users to integrate this science into their own digital tools with free and open access via GitHub. Providing third-party users the opportunity to embrace the significant advances in digital technology, together with access to the best and current science for Victorian agriculture, will encourage evidence-based decision making on-farm.