Information sheet: The evolution of technology on Australian rice farms
Horsedays
Four–horse team with Massey header harvesting rice, c1920, RCL Library
Successful rice growing requires farmers to work effectively, efficiently and on time. It takes approximately 150 days for rice to grow from the seed to the time of harvesting. Modern day rice farming also requires the rice farmer to have access to, and be able to work with, the most efficient piece of equipment or machinery. Thus the rice farmer has incorporated more and more technology on the rice farms. Today, most equipment used on rice farms is fitted with computer–added devices. This is very different from the rice farmers of 100 years ago.

Rice farmers began using horses puling rice headers to harvest the rice in the early 1900s. Tractors eventually replaced horses and are today the rice farmers' most common piece of technology.

View the gallery of photographs on the evolution on Australian rice farms

Sowing rice
Aerial sowing of rice

Technology on rice farms today .

The use of technology greatly assists rice farmers to achieve the most efficient and sustainable output of rice grain possible. Some of the examples of technology used on rice farms today include:

Global Positioning Systems (GPS) and Precision Farming

Satellites precisely indicate to the farmers what their rice crop needs and requirements are.

Computerised Farm Design and Laser Levelling

Computer aided design (CAD) software programs and laser technology are used by rice farmers to specifically design efficient farm irrigation systems

Geographical Information Systems (GIS)

Harvesting rice
Tractors harvesting rice

GIS is used in conjunction with Precision Farming to organise geographical information about rice farms. This information is then stored on databases for farmers to use as required

Remote Sensing

Rice farmers use remote sensing for the planning and management of land systems such as individual farms. Remote sensing is the use of spectral imaging from satellites.

Aerial Machinery

Rice farmers may choose to use aeroplanes to distribute seeds and other needs across their rice farms. They use the services of an agricultural pilot who relies on satellite technology to guide.

Low impact Biodegradable Chemical Usage

Because of technological advancement, rice farmers are able to precisely apply chemicals to their rice farms to ensure good growth. Rice farmers also use biodegradable chemicals to ensure that the environmental impact is minimal.

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