A new Agtech Collaboration Site in Clunes is set to provide local producers with the opportunity to explore cutting-edge technologies that will enhance remote livestock monitoring, enable data-driven decision-making, and improve overall farm management.
Part of the NSW Government's Farms of the Future program, the site will operate at Banyula farm until June 2028 and offer local farmers hands-on experience with technologies tailored to their specific needs.
Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development Agtech Specialist Tom Flanagan said the site is hosting a field day for local beef producers on Wednesday, 9 April 2025, to celebrate the official launch.
"This event will provide attendees with a firsthand opportunity to explore how Agtech solutions can boost productivity, reduce costs and emissions, and help producers remain competitive in an ever-evolving industry," Mr Flanagan said.
"For instance, GPS-enabled cattle tracking systems allow farmers to monitor their herds remotely, saving time on animal checks, improving herd management, and ultimately boosting productivity while lowering labor costs.
"By showcasing these innovations, our new Agtech Collaboration Site will empower farmers to assess technologies that can improve farm management, reduce operational costs, and increase resilience to market and seasonal fluctuations."
While the field day will focus on beef production, the technologies and other activities on display are relevant to a wide range of livestock systems and include:
- Local Expert Presentations: Hear from Tom Flanagan, representative of the Farms of the Future program, who will discuss the vision behind the Agtech Collaboration Site and how it will directly benefit local beef producers by providing access to innovative Agtech solutions.
- Supplier Insights: Meet with local Agtech suppliers and see how their technologies can be integrated into local farming operations. Get expert advice on how these solutions can improve productivity, reduce costs, and make data-driven management easier for local farmers.
- Carbon Management Demonstration: Learn from Clare Edwards, NSW DPIRD Development Officer (Carbon), about the On-Farm Carbon Advice (OFCA) project and how Agtech can assist local farmers in managing emissions. Clare will outline how the site's technologies can improve carbon measurement and monitoring, supporting farmers in meeting sustainability goals and potentially accessing carbon credits.
According to the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES), cattle and calves are the top agricultural commodity in the Richmond and Tweed regions, accounting for $109.3 million of the $501 million total agricultural value.
"With beef cattle farming making up more than a third of the region's 1,741 farms, the introduction of Agtech solutions at the Banyula Agtech Collaboration Site is particularly important, offering local producers the tools they need to enhance efficiency, productivity, and sustainability in this vital industry," Mr Flanagan said.
"So far, we have seen a promising uptake of AgTech across the state and we're eager to see farmers in the Richmond and Tweed regions embrace this innovative shift.
"Producers who have already taken the leap are sharing that Agtech helps them to run their operations more efficiently, save money, and make better decisions using data."
The Agtech Collaboration Site in Clunes is the latest investment by the NSW Government to boost uptake of new technologies, and is among several sites sharing AgTech data and learnings and helping producers to get ahead across NSW.
