Producers attending Henty Machinery Field Days will have the chance to step into the future of farming, thanks to a new virtual reality (VR) experience by the NSW Government's Farms of the Future (FotF) program.
Taking centre stage at the event's Agtech Alley, this new immersive technology allows users to explore real-world agricultural settings through a VR headset, offering a hands-on look at the tools and innovations driving modern farming.
From livestock grazing in the paddocks to horticulture plots and broadacre crops, the new VR experience showcases how Agtech is transforming the way we grow, manage and produce food and help farmers understand how to solve their real-world problems by visualising real-world farming innovations.
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.
The VR headsets offer a powerful and immersive experience that brings Agtech to life, providing the opportunity to visualise farming innovations while also inspiring the next generation of agricultural leaders.
NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development Farms of the Future Manager Ailie Webb said in addition to the new headsets, the FoTF is also partnering with high schools across the state.
"We want to make Agtech education more hands-on, relevant and aligned with real-world farming practices," she said.
"Teaching resources have been developed by the FotF team to align with the current NSW curriculum, including a comprehensive teacher's handbook and student materials.
"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.
The FotF program will also bring this VR experience to the upcoming Australian National Field Days in October this year.
"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."
