In October vegetable growers and industry members from across Australia and around the world were in Gatton Queensland for the second AgTech Showcase.

Held over two days at the Gatton Smart Farm in the Lockyer Valley the showcase allowed those attending to not only see the latest machines and hear about the latest technology, but also experience it in action.

On show were autonomous machines of all sizes and purposes, in field robotics, sensors, drones and lasers, with multiple displays and demonstrations over both days. Gatton AgTech was also the scene for the opening of the new $3.57 million Protected Cropping Centre for Mild Winter Climates by Queensland’s Primary Industries Minister Tony Perrett, who told the launch AgTech is critical in driving productivity, profitability and sustainability in Queensland’s primary industries.

“It demonstrates how government and industry are working together to secure a prosperous future for our primary industries,” Mr Perrett said.

The Chief Executive of Hort Innovation Brett Fifield said increasing productivity is a billion-dollar opportunity for horticulture.

“A recent report we released into the factors driving productivity revealed that high adoption of innovation would benefit the Australian industry by about $1 billion annually in additional value added, reaching $22 billion in 2040,” Mr Fifield said.

“Autonomous technology is at the forefront of horticultural innovation and is transforming growers’ lives when tackling ongoing issues around labour costs and shortages. We’re thrilled to be supporting the event through the vegetable and onion research and development levies.”

New technology the reason for AgTech

The AgTech Showcase was first held in 2023 to meet what was seen as an unmet need for growers to be able to see how new technology works on a farm, and answer for themselves if what has been promised in brochures and videos was actually able to be delivered on. Since 2023 there has been a massive expansion in what is available, and with it an in-line increase in what its designers and promoters promise can be delivered.

Sam Webster is the Australia/New Zealand sales manager for US based Carbon Robotics, which has developed its LaserWeeder, and at the showcase it was attracting plenty of grower attention.

“Basically it identifies weeds from crops, targets the weeds at the growth point, shoots them with a 240 watt diode laser and kills them,” Mr Webster said.

The two meter unit being used at Gatton can kill up to 2500 weeds per minute, and can be set up to meet the conditions on a particular farm. It is at the smaller end of the production scale, with other units up to six meters in width. The machine on show is based at Anthony Bauer’s Lockyer Valley Organics farm, and the company has 10 machines working on Australian and New Zealand farms, with two more expected soon.

For Carbon Robotics the showcase provided a rare opportunity to not only show growers what they have on offer but also demonstrate how it works.

“We haven’t participated in anything like this here in Australia, so it’s been a great opportunity,” Mr Webster said.

“It’s hard to get farmers or growers a lot in one place at one time, and this is a fantastic opportunity for us to do that alongside some of the other guys here. For customers an event like this allows them to not only look but being able to see it in action, and helps them decide how it may work for them. Not only for our machine but everything. They can come and see all matter of ag tech in one place.”

Event success

Ian Layden is the Director of Vegetables, Supply Chains and Market Access with the Queensland Department of Primary Industries, and one of the chief organisers of the Gatton AgTech Showcase.

He said the Showcase came about to meet the need for new technology being demanded more and more by growers, and this year that has meant a major expansion in what was on offer.

“We couldn’t be happier, the feedback has been excellent with plenty of growers, great technology and great weather,“ said Mr Layden at the end of the second day.

Mr Layden said that success and attendance numbers show there is real demand for showcases like this.

“There was an unmet need out there in grower land. But also in the technology space for an event that has live field demonstrations. Our goal is to always put new stuff on the ground for growers to look at. We know that’s what brings the crowds, equipment that is either commercial or coming through the pipeline. DPI plays a unique role in being able to bring together a diverse range of AgTech providers and growers – these are the key ingredients for a successful field day!”

“We’ve had nearly 1500 people through the gates. The locals have turned out en masse, but also from across Queensland, as well as Tasmania, South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales. Also, we’ve had visitors from Vietnam, Europe, and New Zealand. A highlight was the attendance at the Showcase by two automated vegetable harvester manufacturers from Canada and the United
States. It was great to have them engage with growers both at the Showcase and on local farms.”