Bendigo set to showcase agriculture’s latest technology and innovation
The AgSmart Expo is just days away, and the event organisers, ACM Rural Events, are busy helping the huge range of exhibitors set up for this special two-day event to be held at the Bendigo Exhibition Centre on September 7 and 8.
With technology rapidly changing and advancing, AgSmart gives primary producers a chance to see the latest developments in agricultural practices firsthand. Visitors can speak directly to exhibitors and learn about new technology in farming applications, farm machinery and equipment. The event includes a schedule of seminars and live demonstrations to give farmers a real opportunity to engage and learn.
Last year’s inaugural AgSmart Expo was very successful, placing a spotlight on this burgeoning industry and 2023 will see national companies, agtech start-ups and leading industry and government organisations attend, all of whom are eager to share the very latest technology, research, education and machinery innovations.
Just a few of the many exhibitors attending AgSmart 2023 include:
AgCode’s comprehensive farm management software empowers farmers to make their best business decisions with the data they need, when they need it. Growers get an up to the minute, clear overhead view of operations, with the software tailored to suit each grower, crop and operation, it’s also very easy to use on your tablet, smartphone or desktop.
The Athena IR-Tech Transp-IR solution helps farmers optimise their water use efficiency by monitoring in real time how well the plant is transpiring, and feeding that into a crop specific algorithm that determines if the crop has the optimal amount of water available. This is presented on an easy-to-read graph where the grower can see if the crop is in the optimal plant water status zone. Athena IR-Tech field devices record the plant and environment basics so the cloud-based algorithm can interpret what the plant is telling you.
The latest innovation from BioBag Australia is a fully compostable and biodegradable agricultural film called BioAgri for high value crops. This plastic free alternative to traditional mulch films is efficient for farmers and the environment by breaking down into organic matter that can be ploughed into the soil at the end of each crop cycle. BioAgri is made of Mater-Bi, an innovative biopolymer able to biodegrade in soil. It contributes to the better development of horticultural crops and eliminates plastic waste at the end of the life cycle.
Datamars Livestock Australia enables traceability on-farm and across markets, measurably improves livestock producers’ ability to produce high quality protein in a sustainable manner and deliver solutions that provide peace of mind. Their solutions offer world-class precision in heat and health detection, autonomous weighing and fence monitoring, using a combination of sophisticated, practical algorithms and robust hardware.
Farmbot Monitoring Solutions are showcasing their Pump Control which allows you to automate your pump based on your tank's water level. No more overflowing tanks, assumptions with timers or tinkering with pressure gauges, automate operations based on actual behaviour. Pump Control allows you to remotely stop or start your pump and works with solar, diesel and mains powered pumps.
With minimal on-boom hardware Hardi Australia’s GeoSelect optimises boom ride, weed targeting, chemical preparation and sprayer speed. Work up to 30 km/h to save time, chemical and running costs. Map every weed in your paddock up front using a manned-aircraft or drone, with centimetre accuracy, then transfer the data to the spray computer for processing. Sensors on the boom continuously measure and adjust each nozzle within microseconds to target each weed.
Position Partners bring the new Trinity Pro. This drone is a future-proof mapping solution, built on a reliable, easy-to-use and safe platform. It is designed to adapt to changing requirements with evolving capabilities and to accelerate decision-making through aerial data. Harness the power of aerial intelligence to optimize crop health, monitor field conditions, and maximize yields. Our advanced drone captures high-resolution imagery, while our intuitive software analyses data, providing precise insights on irrigation, fertilization and pest control.
Schedule-it is an irrigation scheduling company that specialises in the monitoring, scheduling and advisory services of broadacre and horticultural on farm irrigation. They supply, install and maintain a top range of in-field agtech irrigation monitoring sensors including soil moisture probes, connectivity, smart rain gauges, weather stations, dam sensors and flow meters for the broadacre and horticultural farming industry.
Smart Paddock is launching the latest version of their Bluebell Smart GPS ear tag for cattle and management platform. This ear tag is the lightest, GPS ear tag in the market today and uses solar power, so you never need to replace batteries. Smart Paddock is an Australian company that has developed smart GPS ear tags for the livestock industry that provide real-time information about the health and geo-location of all the individual cows in the herd.
AgSmart is Australia's premier primary industry agtech and innovation exposition. It is an indoor in-person event held at the Bendigo Exhibition Centre, Bendigo, Victoria. It will be staged across two days, Thursday and Friday, 7-8 September, 2023. Open 9am daily, tickets are available online (www.agsmartexpo.com.au).