It saves growers time by allowing them to record their on-farm practices while out on the farm and access their records, either by their mobile device or computer.
So far the Better Bunch app has been used to record practices on over 3000 hectares in North Queensland. Australian Banana Growers’ Council (ABGC) Extension officer Robert Mayers says, it saves the hassle of taking a pen and record books into the field.
"The app links to the Banana Best Management Practices, the APVMA website and the Bureau of Meteorology for your spray applications," he said. "You can nominate your most used fertilisers and chemicals so they are prominent for recording chemical and nutrient applications. You can also input information when not in mobile service and will be notified there is information to be synched when back in range."
The app was funded by the Queensland Department of Environment and Heritage Protection to promote the uptake of the Banana Best Management Practices. The ABGC says this is just one of the emerging technologies being used by farmers to make their lives easier.
"There has been increasing uptake of new technologies as they become available and relevant to the banana industry," Mr Mayers said. "It was designed specifically for banana growers, with features identified by banana growers themselves.”
“Growers are using the Better Bunch app and are finding that it is making a real difference to their on-farm management. It’s helping them keep records and make better decisions on their farms.”
The Better Bunch app is free to growers with an Apple, ISO or Windows device who have completed the Banana Best Management Practice (BMP) self-assessment. The ABGC is available to assist growers with the BMP and use of the app.
This information can be recorded on the Better Bunch app:
chemical application
nutrient Application
calibration schedules for fertiliser and chemical applicators
soil and Tissue tests
irrigation application
harvest Details
Plant management, for example planting, de-leafing and de-suckering.
