The NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) has launched a new series of farmer stories and an updated Agtech guidebook to inspire those looking to revolutionise agriculture with the latest technological solutions.
More than 1,300 farmers have already participated in the Farms of the Future Agtech Fundamentals training program with many now taking advantage of the latest innovations to uplift productivity and improve data-driven business decisions.
NSW DPIRD has created three new digital stories featuring farmers working across livestock and horticulture who have integrated Agtech devices and connectivity solutions into their enterprises.
"It is exciting to see primary producers taking advantage of the learning opportunities delivered by the Farms of the Future program and many are already adopting Agtech into their business operations," Farms of the Future Manager Ailie Webb said.
"We recently launched the Farms of the Future Mobile Learning Centre bus, which has begun travelling across regional New South Wales to bring practical demonstrations and expert knowledge on Agtech directly to farming communities.
"The new case studies highlight the practical applications of technology in agriculture and will inspire other farmers to consider the range of innovative tools available to solve everyday challenges and improve productivity."
One story features sheep graziers Lachlan and Jacquie Patterson from Cudal in Central West NSW, who use a range of solutions from remote cameras, transportable and fixed cellular antennas, and electronic devices for capturing animal data.
The introduction of these technologies has improved farm property security, enhanced communications connectivity, and streamlined recordkeeping.
"The Farms of the Future program helped us identify and adopt practical connectivity solutions to improve how we remotely monitor our livestock and water, which improves animal welfare and growth across our two distant properties," Mr Patterson said.
"Agtech is also providing major time and labour efficiencies which means I can spend more time increasing genetic gain in our livestock and focus on improving sustainability and profitability for our business."
To optimise valuable bore water, viticulturalist Tom Ward installed sensors which monitor soil moisture levels and irrigation use in real-time, which reduces risks on his vineyard near Orange.
Near Guyra in the New England region, Mara and Anthony Grills shared the transformative impact that automated drafting and scale devices are having on their family's livestock property.
In addition to the stories, the latest release of Agtech: an introduction, a guidebook published by Tocal College, details the fast-evolving language, devices, use cases, and installation techniques surrounding the technology.
This second edition includes a new section which explores key development areas including robotics, artificial intelligence, and nanotechnology.
Along with updated imagery and technical content, the publication gives practical tips about what consumers should expect from Agtech suppliers, as well as guidance on build-your-own applications.
"The revised guidebook is a valuable resource for farmers and consultants to keep informed about the developments in agricultural technology and presents real-world examples of how primary producers are taking advantage of the solutions available," Ms Webb said.
To view the new Agtech stories or purchase the latest edition of Agtech: an introduction, visit the NSW DPIRD Farms of the Future website.
