Elders and the SmartSat Cooperative Research Centre yesterday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to explore how satellite-enabled observation technologies can enhance farm management.

The collaboration will see Elders use SmartSat’s satellite technology in agricultural practices like emissions monitoring, pest management and crop yield.

One major goal is to use satellite technology to monitor and report emissions from Elders’ Killara feedlot in New South Wales.

Viticulturalists are also set to benefit, with the pair exploring how to use satellite data to improve the quality and quantity of vine yield.

Further, satellites in space will be used to manage weeds, pests and diseases in the Australian cropping systems.

SmartSat CEO Professor Andy Koronios said his organisation – “the premier space research and innovation centre” – was thrilled to partner with the “premier agricultural and rural services company”.

“This partnership with Elders underscores the importance of earth observation technology in addressing some of the most pressing challenges in agriculture,” Koronios said.

“By combining space-based data with on-the-ground expertise, we can enhance environmental monitoring and sustainable agricultural and farming practices across Australia.”

Koronios told reporters that space technologies could be used for more than “astronauts going to the Moon and Mars”.

“The applications here on Earth are huge, not only for mining and transportation but specifically for agriculture because Australia has such vast areas,” Koronios said.

Elders CEO and managing director Mark Allison said his company’s reputation would build trust in solutions for farmers who may be wary of newer technologies.

“Farmers will be generally cynical about technology. They’ll say ‘Okay, but is it true? Is it misinformation?’,” he said.

“With the combination of Elders – the most trusted brand in regional Australian agriculture, and with 250-plus agronomists all around Australia – we can be the authentic channel to growers to actually put it into best practice.”

Koronios said the partnership was flexible and could adapt to farmers’ needs.

“The beauty of this partnership is that if a farmer has a particular need and tells Mark and his colleagues they can pick up the phone and say ‘Andy, we’ve got a specific problem, can you address it?’,” he said.

“If you’re always relying on overseas providers, that’s not going to be as easy.”

For SmartSat CRC, the MoU follows the successful lift-off of a South Australian-owned and manufactured satellite called Kanyini.

The satellite – built by a local team of SA-based companies including SmartSat, Inovor and Myriota – was launched onboard a SpaceX rocket from the United States in August.

Once fully commissioned, Kanyini will deliver space data for clients including government and research institutions. Some research initiatives to be undertaken by the satellite include early bushfire detection.

“We have now realised our mission of seeing homegrown South Australian space technologies launched into low Earth orbit,” Koronios said in August.

“The coming months will be crucial as the team works to fully operationalise Kanyini and begin reaping the benefits of its data-gathering capabilities.”