Dr Matthew Knowling

My current research is in Decision Agriculture. A key aspect of my research in this area deals with bridging the gap between data and decisions. There are more and more diverse data streams of different shapes and sizes rapidly becoming available in agriculture, and we now face the problem of how to best use all these data. I use computer models and data analytics to translate diverse data streams into actionable information for decision makers to improve their outcomes.

By integrating data and concepts from different disciplines such as agriculture, hydrology and economics, my research has explored trade-offs between often-competing objectives; resolving these trade-offs is often necessary to solve complex, real-world problems. For example, I have combined optimization algorithms and process-based models to optimize dairy farm outcomes while satisfying ecological river health conditions under a range of risk tolerances.

GRDC Farming Systems South

I lead the Farming Systems South program, a $7.6M flagship investment from GRDC aimed at delivering a better understanding of the drivers of profitability and sustainability in farming systems in southern Australia. The program is innovative in its evaluation of both strategic and tactical decisions, as well as their interactions (e.g. crop sequence diversity and nitrogen application). It also evaluates a broad range of performance metrics beyond productivity (e.g. greenhouse gas emissions, demand for chemical inputs) and puts to the test emerging and new farming systems, paving a way to reach a new frontier in water-limited potential for the grains industry. Our program is multi-disciplinary, with key workstreams in agronomy, modelling and economics, working together with a network of 5 local farming systems groups, leading growers and private consultants.

VitiVisor

I recently led the prediction and advisory component of the $5M ‘VitiVisor’ project, funded by Wine Australia and Riverland Wine, involving a partnership of viticulturists, economists, computer scientists and engineers as well as grape growers in the Riverland region of South Australia. My research blended diverse data streams (e.g., plant and soil moisture sensors, financial benchmarks) with our current understanding of grapevine dynamics using innovative forecasting and data assimilation algorithms. This enabled growers an unprecedented level of ‘situational awareness’ of what is happening in the vineyard and why, and which management strategies will likely lead to improved vineyard outcomes.