A SUCCESSFUL on-property field day held at Wentworth last September has led to the start of an expo which puts landholders in touch with a huge range of agricultural business and service providers.
The Hay Ag and Pastoral Innovation Expo, an initiative of Hay Merino Breeders Association and supported by Riverina Local Land Services, Murrumbidgee Landcare Incorporated, and Meat and Livestock Australia, will give farmers a hands-on look at some of the latest technology available to improve farm productivity and profitability.
Event organiser Annabel Lugsdin, Murrumbidgee Landcare, said the idea for the products expo began after a great turnout at Wyndham Station, Wentworth, in September, where about 70 people heard from experts in drones, electronic identification, telemetry and record keeping.
“The expo will be as hands-on as possible, with demonstrations at individual stalls, so landholders can come here and test the equipment they might want to use on-farm,” Ms Lugsdin said.
“It’s about using technology in a practical way to improve farm production, and working towards a smarter, safer way of farming.
“A lot of farmers are also looking at investing in technology for the future with the improvement in wool and sheep returns.”
While the initial field day was focused on livestock systems, the expo will include businesses from the cropping sector, including those working in telemetry and global positioning systems.
“We have support from the cotton, wool, sheep and rice industries," Ms Lugsdin said.
The Hay Ag and Pastoral Innovation Expo is on March 9 and 10 at the Shear Outback centre in Hay.