FarmBuild's online functions are composed of an initial series of web services, Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) and associated data sources, as well as open source JavaScript API sample code and pages. Developed by DEDJTR to be freely available for users to build their own digital tools and support their clients.

Web services, APIs and associated data sources

The web services, APIs and associated data sources are served off DEDJTR infrastructure. These are available to access freely from the GitHub ‘FarmBuild’ account. A simple registration process is needed to access the Soil Information Service, and users will be provided with an agreed service level.

• Web Feature Services
• Soils of the Goulburn Murray Irrigation District

  Extensively surveyed in the 1940’s, 50’s and 60’s for texture, colour, thickness and the presence of lime and gypsum to between 1.2 m to 2.1 m depth. Soil maps were prepared using aerial photography and digitised to provide a detailed soil map.

• Victorian Rural Parcel and Agricultural Land Use

  Derived from the Victorian Land Use Information System (VLUIS) data set with urban parcels removed. Covers the entire landmass of Victoria and attributes separately describe land tenure, land use and land cover for each cadastral parcel across the State. For further information on the VLUIS project visit Victorian Resources Online.

• Soil Information Services
• Soil Area Calculation Service

  This service returns spatial intersection of the Farm Data Block (farm boundary and paddocks as defined by user) with the soil survey information currently known for the Goulburn Murray Irrigation District.

Javascript based API sample code

Published on the GitHub open source repository for FarmBuild, the code has been architected to split the JavaScript calculations and services from the user interfaces and designed for reuse in third party systems. This allows users to deliver the functions within their own digital tool with a unique look and feel to suit their agricultural business. The sample code includes:

• Farm Data

  To facilitate the integration of various FarmBuild components, the Farm Data Block is a block of data that can be created, used and shared. The Farm Data Block stores all data generated by the FarmBuild components within a simple JSON structure.

• Web Mapping

Designed to stand-alone, the web mapping sample can be integrated into new or existing systems by third parties. This is an important component required to develop applications that contain data with a spatial context. The web mapping sample includes the ability to:

• search by address
• create/edit a farm boundary
• create farm paddocks
• attribute farm paddocks
• assign farm paddocks to paddock groups through a defined list in a JSON file
• export mapping data as JSON through the Farm Data Block JSON structure, or as GeoJSON and KML formats

Through the Farm Data Block JSON structure, the exports are interoperable with other FarmBuild components.

**NEW** A Map Print Service allows you to print your output from the FarmBuild mapping service by returning a PDF file via an API.

• Whole Farm Nutrient Balance Calculator (Dairy)

  A JavaScript library in a developer version of the Whole Farm Nutrient Balance Calculator for Australian dairy farms developed through the 'Accounting for Nutrients on Australian Dairy Farms (A4N)' project (refer to the publication Gourley et al. (2012) Animal Production Science, volume 52, pages 929–944). The A4N project developed a nationally agreed nutrient accounting framework for nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sulphur, calcium and magnesium for the Australian dairy industry, modelling nutrient flow in and out of dairy farms. Working with yearly totals, the amount of nutrient leaving the farm in product (e.g. milk and animals) is subtracted from the amount of nutrient coming onto the farm (e.g. fertilisers, forage, concentrates).

  **NEW** Animal Density Mapping is now available to support the mapping and monitoring of cows/animals across a farm according to animal-hour, paddock area and number of animals. Provided as a generic open source model, this new function can be integrated with a range of applications including nutrient and grazing models.

  **NEW** Benchmarking Whisker Charts have been added to the Dairy Nutrient Calculator. Benchmarking parameters estimated from 60 sets of farm data have been hard coded into the version available on GitHub.

• Soil Sample Importer

  Designed as a stand-alone sample that can be integrated into new or existing systems by third parties. The soil import API JavaScript library and demonstration page enable users to import, link and classify nutrient status of soil test data to a farm paddock structure. The Soil Sample Importer is designed to write the data into the specified JSON structure of the Farm Data Block.

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