<p></p><p> The high cost of doing agribusiness in Australia compared with its competitors is a driving force behind the adoption of precision agriculture technology.And Australia's almond industry is as technologically advanced as it's American counterpart.Olam Australia's general manager of orchard operations, Robert Gulack, says precision agriculture technology has helped rehabilitate orchards left in poor condition after the drought. </p><p>"When we took over the orchards in late 2009, we inherited 12,000 hectares of rolling sand hills that had been in drought."The land was under watered, under fertilised and had quite variable soils."Our aim when we came in was to put resources exactly where they were needed, and at the right time."Precision agriculture has become an integral part of that."Mr Gulack says aerial imagery, data-gathering and some automation of production are all tools used by the company.And he envisions a time where robotics plays a bigger part in the operation. </p><p>"It all seems like something out of Star Wars," he says."I'm really excited to see the new innovations on the way."</p> <p> </p><br><p></p>