Producers visiting the Australian National Field Days are invited to explore the future of farming through a new virtual reality (VR) experience rolled out by the NSW Government's Farms of the Future (FotF) program.
This new immersive technology allows users to explore real-world agricultural settings through a VR headset, offering a hands-on look at the Agtech tools and innovations driving modern farming.
The new state-of-the-art VR headsets feature a four-minute immersive experience across five different farm settings, allowing users to understand the impact that equipment such as: in-paddock weighing systems; weather stations; and water tank monitors, can have on producers' lives.
NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) Farms of the Future Manager Ailie Webb said the VR experience will show how Agtech is transforming the way farmers grow, manage, and produce food.
"It's exciting to bring this high-tech experience to one of Australia's longest running farm field day events," Ms Webb said.
"From livestock grazing in the paddocks to horticulture plots and broadacre crops, we're showing how farmers can solve their real-world problems by visualising the latest in farming innovations.
"The VR headsets offer a powerful and immersive experience that brings Agtech to life, providing producers the opportunity to visualise farming innovations while also inspiring the next generation of agricultural leaders."
In addition to exploring innovative Agtech solutions, visitors can learn about connectivity options, see live demonstrations, and discover free training opportunities available through the Farms of the Future program.
FotF is also partnering with high schools across the state and has developed teaching resources to align with the current NSW curriculum, including a comprehensive teacher's handbook and student materials.
"We want to make Agtech education more hands-on, relevant and aligned with real-world farming practices," she said.
"The goal is to build excitement and understanding around agricultural innovation, while highlighting the career pathways available in the sector."
Many participating schools have farm plots, and the FotF program have supplied interested schools with sensors so students can track data such as soil moisture, humidity, or water levels in real time. This allows students to see the technology in action and understand how it informs decision-making on farm.
"By making technology easier to understand and more accessible for producers across the state, the Farms of the Future program is helping farmers get a clearer picture of how Agtech fits into real-world agriculture.
"This new virtual reality experience is making Agtech more engaging and easier to understand, whether you're in the classroom or out in the paddock."
The FotF team will be conveniently neighbouring the ANFD Agtech Precinct where numerous suppliers will showcase their latest products and provide live demonstrations.
Visit the Farms of the Future stall, site B12-16, at the Australian National Field Days at Borenore, near Orange, 23 - 25 October 2025.
