Running two properties plus three motels across two states is no easy feat for the Fleming family, particularly when you add climate variability and little to no water infrastructure into the mix.
Above: one of the watering points at Dover Station.
The Fleming family split their time between Dover Station in Boulia, Queensland and a second Stud Droughtmaster property in Bundaberg. After the family purchased the station at Boulia in 2020, and with no other way to manage the stations water points but with a chopper which cost about $3,000 a day, the Family researched alternatives.
This is where Farmbot came in. While in the middle of drought recovery, the Fleming family introduced remote water monitoring, which could provide them with alerts within minutes when there has been a change in their water assets from anywhere at any time.
Farmbot provides the Flemings with insights on their water and livestock consumption levels which enables them to make informed farming decisions across their properties.
It’s the use of the Farmbot Wireless Trough Sensors which has perhaps been most revolutionary for the Flemings, enabling them to not just keep across their water levels in dams or tanks, but all the way through to the point of consumption.
Above: a Farmbot remote water monitoring system installed at the Flemings' Dover Station.
Since their first purchase in 2021, the Flemings now have 8 Farmbot Water Level Sensors and 18 Farmbot Trough Sensors across their 123,500 acre property.
The sensors take the hassle of traveling between both properties saving the family hours of time each week. They expressed that the sensors have been incredibly helpful and spoke of their plans to purchase more.
“After installing Farmbot’s remote water monitors across eight water points, we have plans to expand to have one at each water point. It has been so incredibly helpful to measure everything when I might be interstate or out on a muster,” said Sonia Fleming.
“Knowing what our water levels are and that are stock aren’t running low brings great peace of mind. It enables us to spend time expanding other parts of our business and tending to fences that we may have turned a blind eye to in our rush to check our water levels,” she continued.
Since installing Farmbot’s monitors in 2021, the Fleming family have already reaped the benefits of the technology particularly during wet seasons when access and distance became a major challenge. The Fleming family have continued to restock since purchasing the property only increasing the importance of water security on the farm.
This article is sponsored content from Farmbot.