Central Queensland Smart Cropping Centre

Narrator: Agriculture is evolving. Across Central Queensland, farmers are exploring how technology can drive efficiency, boost productivity, and sustain their operations.

The Department of Primary Industries’ (DPI) pilot program, FarmTechConnect, has been delivered as part of the services at the Central Queensland Smart Cropping Centre (CQSCC) in Emerald. The program was created to support producers on this journey.

The CQSCC is a flagship innovation facility that focuses on the region's unique climate. It integrates research, development, and extension in areas such as farming systems, agronomy, crop innovation, and plant protection. A strong emphasis is placed on AgTech adoption with regional producers.

Alicia Dunbar (CQSCC): The main goals of the FarmTechConnect project have been about understanding the challenges for farming industries across Central Queensland. It’s not just about connectivity—although we know this is a significant challenge for the region—but also about achieving interoperability. It’s about connecting technologies and getting them to work together to produce better outcomes.

Narrator: The pilot program brought together 7 producers, each with their own unique challenges but sharing a common goal: to make AgTech work for their businesses.

Sonya Comiskey (Pine Tree Projects): Something I’ve observed throughout this journey is that we have a very motivated primary production cohort in Central Queensland. Producers here are highly motivated to adopt AgTech, integrate it into their businesses, and become data-driven decision-makers.

Narrator: One challenge producers consistently highlighted was the complexity of technology choices and the risk of investing in the wrong solutions. Many producers mentioned feeling overwhelmed about where to find independent advice and how to begin adopting AgTech. This often led to inaction. FarmTechConnect was the DPI's response to this challenge.

Sonya Comiskey (Pine Tree Projects): We visited farms multiple times to discuss different aspects. We started by doing a deep dive into their business, understanding their production systems, the markets they operate within, their goals, and identifying their pain points.

Renee Anderson (BH & RL Anderson): The hardest part is knowing where to start. There are so many options, and you don’t want to invest in something that won’t benefit the business.

Narrator: Through one-on-one visits, hands-on workshops, and tailored support, producers worked with technical experts to identify their needs and evaluate AgTech solutions that addressed their specific challenges.

Nigel Burnett (Colorada Cotton): It’s really important because we’ve got different sources of information coming from different places, and that can be pretty confusing. We’re aiming to gather everything in one place and create true interoperability between programs and AgTech solutions.

John French (JW & KE French): I’m very keen to learn about water monitoring—keeping water up to the cattle is paramount. If we can adopt technology to help us pump groundwater and monitor watering points, that’s really exciting for me.

Narrator: Participants learned that AgTech isn’t just about hardware and software; it’s about connectivity, collaboration, and knowledge sharing.

Alicia Dunbar (CQSCC): This program has really emphasised the importance of connectivity—not just in infrastructure but also in how people connect, share knowledge, and support each other throughout the AgTech adoption journey.

Jane Auer (CQSCC): Connectivity is a vital puzzle piece. Our trials use multiple sensors measuring different factors, and having live feedback for researchers will be hugely beneficial.

Quentin Feery-Lawrence (CQSCC): For me, the biggest takeaway has been seeing the different ways producers approach AgTech. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution—it’s about adapting technology to your needs.

Natalia Engel (Sunlight Grazing): The best thing about FarmTechConnect was connecting with others on a similar journey with AgTech—people who believe in it, see its value, and understand how it can elevate their businesses.

Narrator: By the end of the program, producers had gained knowledge and confidence in implementing short-term and long-term AgTech solutions tailored to their individual needs.

Kate French (JW & KE French): We’ve got a plan and some ideas. The next steps are about prioritising which ones to implement based on affordability and risk. Some ideas can be implemented this year, and others I’ll plan for and build towards.

Logan Hamblin (LNA Contracting): I love how it integrates with the machinery we use, like John Deere. It makes billing easier and even generates additional revenue with things like variable rate applications, which earn more compared to just standard practices.

Sonya Comiskey (Pine Tree Projects): For me, the best part of the project has been working with producers at the grassroots level. It’s been eye-opening, but it also challenged and overturned some of my assumptions.

Narrator: The FarmTechConnect program has proven that meaningful change doesn’t happen overnight—but with the right support and connections, producers can confidently embrace technology to enhance their operations.

Alicia Dunbar (CQSCC): When farmers have accurate information and access to the right people, they make much more confident decisions about their AgTech investments. This has been one of the program’s greatest successes.

Sonya Comiskey (Pine Tree Projects): As this was a pilot program, it was all about learning. If we could do it again, I’d recommend making it a longer-term project.

There’s a significant role for government and industry to play in enabling AgTech adoption. This includes filling market gaps for independent AgTech advice and creating structured programs like FarmTechConnect to help producers navigate this journey.

Narrator: Although FarmTechConnect is wrapping up as a pilot, its impact will persist as producers apply their learnings. Program participants have expressed a desire for the program to expand statewide.

This initiative aligns with the Queensland Government’s goal of growing the state’s agricultural output to $30 billion by 2030, achievable through close collaboration with industry and delivering practical solutions.