Abstract: Telemetry provides the opportunity for pastoralists to monitor the water supply, animal health, machinery and security of their properties while dramatically reducing travel time and cost. Two small South Australian companies with a wealth of field experience were identified. Contact Communications and Stockman Electronics produce telemetry equipment that met the criteria of reliability, client endorsement and capacity to withstand harsh conditions,. Three other companies are also installing systems in limited numbers. Costs fall in the range $1000–2500 per site monitored. The immediate future of pastoral telemetry appears to be dependent on the success of the different companies involved in successfully marketing themselves and gaining the trust of pastoralists. Telemetry installers are small local enterprises that develop good relationships with their clients. These companies have good products but currently lack the capacity/orientation to market themselves further afield. Observant telemetry equipment is an industry specific product being marketed nationally but it has yet to gain market acceptance. Should a Telstra sponsored product go into commercial production we may anticipate professional marketing of their product. Several systems reviewed rely on the mobile phone network and are thus currently of limited use in much of the pastoral lands. Electronics technology is obviously a rapidly evolving field that may bring new and more economical options. Also, the variables of sustainable land management, food health standards and fuel prices may generate the demand for more extensive and more sophisticated telemetry equipment on pastoral properties.
Notes: The WaterSmart Pastoralismâ„¢ Literature Reviews