— 40 IREC Farmers' Newsletter No. 200 — Spring 2018 James Brinkhoff and John Hornbuckle Deakin University, Centre for Regional & Rural Futures, Griffith NSW PHOTO: A WiField logger in a rice field near Whitton, NSW, April 2018. The logger is measuring water depth using an ultrasonic sensor and an Enviropro multi-level capacitance probe, as well as the temperature profile and soil moisture. PHOTO: James Brinkhoff This article has been reproduced with permission. It was first published in the 2018 Rice R&D Update: Improving the productivity, profitability and sustainability of the Australian rice industry QUICK TAKE l  The use of in-field sensing tools for rice production has lagged behind other industries. l  Recently Deakin University developed a WiFi- enabled sensing system specifically for rice production systems. It monitors soil moisture profile, temperature profile and water level simultaneously using one probe, enabling growers to save water and maximise yields. l  The system can be used for optimising irrigation timing when using delayed permanent water, precisely managing water depth to protect the crop during cold periods and monitoring dry down after lock up. l  Data is available online in real time and can be linked to automation. IN-FIELD SENSING SYSTEMS FOR MAXIMISING RICE FARM PRODUCTIVITY — 40 IREC Farmers' Newsletter No. 200 — Spring 2018 In-field water sensing