A WEST Wimmera grower believes embracing technology can help improve farm production.
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Jonathan Dyer and his family specialise in broadacre grain production at Kaniva.
He said technology mostly comes into play around precision agriculture.
He said day-to-day, most farmers would regularly use GPS guidance systems and mapping equipment.
"We are also now using things such as a satellite imagery service, where every week or so we get an updated satellite image of how the paddocks are going," he said.
Mr Dyer said staying up to date with available technology was a way to improve farming practices.
"All the time we are trying to become better at what we do," he said.
"Farms are growing and getting bigger, we are doing more things and we need ways to manage and record everything we do on the farm.
"Most of the time, it isn't just one person in charge of everything, so the information needs to be shared.
"The old notebook and diary isn't needed as much anymore."
Mr Dyer received a Nuffield scholarship in 2015 to investigate the possibilities 'big data' created for improving farm practices and profitability.
"We've been collecting various forms of data on our farm for more than a decade, but we've hardly been using it," he said.
"Once accurate data is being collected at the farm level, data can be aggregated and compared across different businesses, regions, and countries."
Mr Dyer said there was a stereotype that older farmers struggled to embrace new technology.
"It's about someone's attitude towards technology, not their age, that makes a difference," he said. "We need to recognise the value of it - all aspects of our lives are heading that way too."