Throughout our history, Goanna Ag has represented innovation and collaboration in the agricultural sector. From our humble beginnings as Goanna Telemetry to our transformation into a global leader in agricultural technology, our company's journey demonstrates the power of vision, partnership, and cutting-edge solutions in shaping the future of farming.
Early 2016
Inception and early investment
Goanna Telemetry was founded in 2002. Tom Dowling, one of the founders, gained his irrigation scheduling experience using the neutron probes to measure soil moisture. Whilst at Goanna Telemetry, Tom integrated near real-time data collection of soil moisture and Goanna Telemetry’s own soil calibrations to enhance the accuracy of soil moisture readings helping to improve water use efficiency across the cotton industry. A collaboration with Professor John Hornbuckle introduced satellite imagery and predictive algorithms, expanding Goanna Telemetry's irrigation solution beyond soil moisture to include weather-driven predictions of crop water requirements.
In 2016, Delta Agriculture, a prominent player in the agricultural sector saw the potential in Goanna Telemetry. Understanding the constant evolution of technology and how the agricultural landscape was changing, they invested to secure a 50% shareholding. This marked the initial steps of a journey that would reshape the agricultural landscape.
Late 2016
Emergence as Goanna Ag
Delta Agriculture took a strategic decision to separate Goanna Telemetry into an independent entity named "Goanna Ag". By having a distinct identity and purpose, Goanna Ag could streamline its operations, resources, and innovations to better align with its mission. This focused approach enhanced agility and responsiveness to the evolving needs of the agricultural sector, and saw the company embark on a mission to transform modern farming practices.
2017
Strengthening ownership
As Goanna Ag gained momentum, an acquisition occurred that solidified its position. In 2017, Delta Agriculture acquired the remaining shareholding in Goanna Telemetry and transitioned ownership to Goanna Ag, marking a significant milestone in the company's journey.
Early 2018
Growth and investor confidence
Goanna Ag made remarkable progress in 2018 after a successful mezzanine capital raise attracted notable investors including Westpac, GrainCorp, and MH Premium Farms. This influx of capital not only bolstered the company's resources but also underscored the industry's recognition of its substantial potential. The investment was directed towards pivotal goals for Goanna Ag, such as expanding their team to drive progress in on-farm sensor solutions and the completion of the LoRaWAN network rollout tailored to the Australian cotton industry. Rooted in innovation, Goanna Ag’s pragmatic approach to water management and economically viable sensor solutions stood poised to enhance agricultural efficiency, profitability, and sustainability, reinforced by the strategic alignment of supportive partners.
Late 2018
Technological advancements
In collaboration with the National Narrowband Network Co (NNNCo), the LoRaWAN IoT network launched and provided coverage across 3 million hectares in Australian cotton-growing regions. The network delivers cost-effective connectivity to farmers, enabling data-driven insights for irrigation management.
2019
Innovation collaboration
Collaboration between Goanna Ag, CSIRO, and CRDC resulted in a ground-breaking cotton threshold algorithm. The technology, licensed from CSIRO, formed the cornerstone of GoField, a revolutionary crop stress sensing solution. The year also witnessed the integration of stress forecasting capabilities, solidifying GoField's status as a cutting-edge technology.
2020
Global expansion
Goanna Ag's ambition reached international borders in 2020 with its foray into the United States market. Collaborating with the USDA, the company commenced commercial trials, once again validating its solutions on a global stage.
2021
Strategic partnerships and transformative technology
In a strategic move, Goanna Ag partnered with Bayer in Australia for a three-year collaboration. This partnership aimed to leverage synergies for mutual growth, strengthening Goanna Ag's position as a leader in agricultural innovation.
Demonstrating our dedication to practical solutions, we collaborated with CSIRO on the Smarter Irrigation for Profit Phase 1 (SIP1) initiative. During this pivotal year, our GoField technology underwent rigorous on-farm trials across diverse Australian cotton-growing valleys, a testament to our reliance on independent research. It was shown that GoField not only increased cotton yields while reducing operational and water costs, but also held the potential to generate an extra $152/ha (2.5 acres) per season, thus exemplifying the transformative power of technology grounded in evidence.
2022
Advancing precision agriculture
The GRDC and CRDC collaborated with Goanna Ag to create WAND, a cutting-edge spray drift hazardous weather warning system. This innovative technology comprises of 100 inversion towers distributed across key grain and cotton regions in Australia, offering real-time weather updates every 10 minutes. By accurately identifying hazardous temperature inversions, WAND empowers farmers and spray operators to make informed decisions about spraying activities, thereby mitigating spray drift risks. Future developments include a 24-hour forecast to further assist growers in improving their spraying schedules.
2023
The game-changing algorithm
In collaboration with CSIRO, UniSQ's Centre for Agricultural Engineering, CRDC, and Smarter Irrigation for Profit program, Goanna Ag were licenced with a game-changing multi-pixel algorithm that was added to their GoField solution. This algorithm, developed by Dr. Alison McCarthy, employs multiarray sensors that differentiate between canopy and soil temperatures. This enables cotton growers to enhance their irrigation scheduling, particularly for the crucial first irrigation, it also eliminates sensor height adjustments throughout the season. This innovation is transforming irrigation practices and water-use efficiency in the cotton industry.