MAA champions LoRaWAN technology

Macintyre Ag Alliance is championing Long Range Wide Area Networks (LoRaWAN) in the Goondiwindi Region, having just completed stage two of its LoRaWAN community project.

LoRaWAN technology provides a cost-effective open-source telemetry network that allows businesses to setup low-cost sensors for a wide range of purposes suited to agriculture, such as remote measurement of weather, tank and trough levels, and electric fences. The network can communicate data up to 15km without the need for phone service or WIFI.

Stage one saw MAA (formally Waggamba Landcare) program and install five LoRaWAN gateways and eight weather stations on properties in the region in 2019, bringing network coverage to the region.

We also hosted field days at Carpendale and Lundavra, demonstrating two different perspectives on implementing LoRaWAN on-farm – a commercial option as well as one that embodied more of a community system.

Following the field days, MAA held two LoRaWAN sensor building workshops for landholders with access to one of our five LoRaWAN gateways. Participants learnt how to assemble their own LoRaWAN weather stations and trough ultrasonics, which were then deployed on the landholders’ properties across the region. 

This project was made possible through the Federal Government Emergency Drought Support Package and support from the Goondiwindi Regional Council.