Soil sensors are supposed to revolutionise farming. Continuous monitoring of moisture, nutrients, and conditions—data that drives better decisions and higher yields.

The reality is more complicated. I’ve spoken with farmers who’ve spent thousands on sensors now gathering dust in sheds. But I’ve also found farmers getting genuine value from the technology.

Here’s what separates success from expensive disappointment.

The Promise vs Reality

Soil sensor marketing typically shows beautiful dashboards displaying real-time data across entire properties. The implication is that you’ll know exactly what’s happening underground, everywhere, all the time.

The reality for most Grampians and Wimmera farms:

• Cellular coverage limits where sensors can transmit data
• Soil variability means a sensor in one spot tells you little about areas 500 metres away
• Calibration for local soil types is often inadequate
• Maintenance requirements are understated

This doesn’t mean the technology is useless. It means expectations need calibrating.

What’s Actually Working

After conversations with farmers across the region, some patterns emerged.

LoRaWAN-Based Systems

Farmers with multiple sensors are increasingly using LoRaWAN networks—low-power, long-range radio that doesn’t depend on cellular coverage.

“I’ve got 12 sensors across the property talking to a single gateway with internet connection,” one farmer near Stawell explained. “Range is 10km line-of-sight. Cellular would never work for most of these locations.”

Australian company Goanna Ag offers LoRaWAN-based soil monitoring that’s proven in Australian conditions. Their systems are designed for the connectivity challenges of large properties.

Cost: Significant upfront investment ($500-800 per sensor plus gateway), but ongoing costs are low since you’re not paying for cellular data.

Standalone Capacitance Sensors

For basic soil moisture monitoring without the complexity of connected systems, simple capacitance sensors have their place.

These don’t transmit data—you check them manually or connect them to irrigation controllers. Lower tech, but also lower failure points.

Brands like Sentek and MEA make sensors suited to Australian conditions. Several farmers told me they use these in critical spots—near water sources, in problem paddocks—while relying on observation elsewhere.

Cost: $200-400 per sensor, no ongoing fees.

Satellite Integration

Some farmers are combining ground sensors with satellite imagery services. The satellites provide broad coverage, the sensors provide ground truth for calibration.

“The satellite shows me where variability is. The sensors tell me what’s actually happening in those spots. Together they’re useful. Either alone isn’t enough.”

This approach requires more technical sophistication but provides better insight than either technology alone.

What’s Not Working

Cheap Consumer Sensors

Budget sensors marketed for home gardens don’t survive farm conditions. UV degradation, moisture ingress, and livestock damage destroy them quickly.

“I bought a dozen $50 sensors thinking I’d cover the property cheaply. Eight failed within a year. The data from the survivors was inconsistent enough to be useless.”

If it seems too cheap, it probably is.

Nutrient Sensors

Sensors claiming to measure soil nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, etc.) received universal skepticism.

“The physics just doesn’t work for field sensors,” one agronomist explained. “Lab soil tests are still the only reliable way to measure nutrients. Anyone telling you different is overselling.”

Moisture and temperature sensors work. Nutrient sensors don’t—at least not yet.

Cellular-Only Systems

Properties with patchy mobile coverage struggle with sensors requiring cellular connectivity.

“The sensor works great when it has signal. Problem is, the spots I most need to monitor are the spots with worst coverage.”

Unless your property has comprehensive cellular coverage, build your system assuming it doesn’t.

Getting Started

For farmers curious about soil sensors, here’s a practical approach:

Start with one or two sensors. Don’t cover the whole property initially. Pick problem areas or high-value paddocks where data would actually change decisions.

Match technology to connectivity. Understand your coverage before buying. LoRaWAN or manual-read sensors might suit better than cellular.

Budget for the long term. Include replacement costs, maintenance, and subscription fees in your calculations. The purchase price is just the beginning.

Talk to neighbours. Someone nearby has probably tried this already. Learn from their experience.

Ground-truth against observation. Sensors should confirm or refine what you already know. If data contradicts obvious reality, the sensor is probably wrong.

The Connectivity Investment

Many farmers have found that investing in property connectivity—whether through a LoRaWAN gateway, Starlink connection, or improved cellular boosters—pays dividends beyond just soil sensors.

Once you have reliable data transmission from across the property, other applications become viable: water tank monitoring, livestock tracking, equipment telemetry.

Think of connectivity as infrastructure. Soil sensors are just one application.

Looking Ahead

Soil sensor technology is improving. Battery life is extending. Costs are decreasing. Satellite connectivity options are expanding.

What’s marginal now might be compelling in two years. Farmers who’ve built connectivity infrastructure will be ready to adopt when the technology matures.

But there’s value in starting now, even with imperfect technology. Understanding your soil’s behaviour—even from limited sensor coverage—builds knowledge that pays long-term dividends.

The farmers getting most from soil sensors aren’t the ones with the most sophisticated systems. They’re the ones who’ve integrated sensor data into how they think about their land. That integration takes time and experimentation.

Start small, learn constantly, and scale what works.

CSIRO conducts research into agricultural technology suited to Australian conditions, and Business Victoria offers grants for farm technology adoption that can help offset initial investment costs.