Internet opens gates for farmers from anywhere

24 Aug 2005

Australian farmers could soon be able to save time and money by using the Internet to open and close gates on their properties from anywhere in the world.

The technology, developed by researchers at The University of New England in rural New South Wales state and Australia's Telstra Corp. Ltd., can also be used on the CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) mobile phone network. "Farmers can use the system for security surveillance as well as stock monitoring," Brendan Doyle, assistant director of the university's Institute for Rural Futures, said in a statement on Wednesday.

"The system sends back a text message via mobile phone if anyone goes through the gate."

He said the technology, which also lets farmers watch over the Internet as cattle pass through the gate, could save farmers travel time and fuel expenses.

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