Past Graduates - Vincent Grinter
I work as Spatial Data Scientist for the Department of Primary Industries at the Mallee Research Station in Walpeup, in northwest Victoria.
I graduated from Monash University in March 2004 with a Postgraduate Diploma in GIS after completing my undergraduate degree in Geography.
The research we do is focussed on dryland agriculture, most notably annual cropping including wheat and barley. I work on two projects that both are investigating the use of electromagnetic soil surveying coupled with GPS for two uses. The EM surveying gives a reading of the electrical conductivity of the soil which can be used to determine subsoil constraints to crop root growth such as salt, boron, high pH and Chloride. If we can determine the spatial variability of these factors across a paddock, a farmer can use variable rate technology to vary inputs over different zones of their paddock.
My job includes the use of RTK GPS for tractor guidance at sowing (see below) and spraying, and yield mapping. Precision agriculture is an emerging science and one that I am excited to be a part of.
I enjoy my job as it balances data analysis and field work, as well as giving me the opportunity to develop as a young Scientist, get to go to conferences and GIS user forums. I consult with funding bodies, agronomists, Catchment Management Authorities and farmers.
Images: The use of guidance with centimetre-scale accuracy using RTK GPS from a portable base station set up at the Mallee Research Station (that's me in the second photo).