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Talking the talk: from left, Tas Farmers advocacy and projects manager Neil Grose (left) with Michael Badcock from Enchanted Isle Farms; Laurie Krauss weed scientist with the TIA
(left) and Jen Milne from Landcare Hobart; Allan Barr (left) from Go Farm and Jim Wilson from Forico; TAPG Chairman Mark Kable (left) and TAPGs Executive Of昀椀cer Terry Brient.
Expo explores latest ideas
BRONWYN LISSON
THE Tasmanian Ag Productivity Group
(TAPG) held its 10th annual expo at Hagley
last week, drawing almost 250 attendees
keen to explore cutting-edge innovations
in agriculture and engage in important
conversations about the future of farming.
Unique to the event was the opportunity for
people to have a hands-on experience testing
heavy machinery.
In the afternoon, a demonstration
paddock featured machinery from multiple
manufacturers allowing those interested
to test, drive and compare the different
machinery and technology before investing.
Additionally, the expo presented an
excellent opportunity for networking and
learning from industry experts.
“These sorts of gatherings are a precurser
to us learning to be better at speaking with
one voice to government about our needs,”
said TAPG executive of昀椀cer Terry Brient.
“It’s much easier to discuss a heavy policy
issue if you know the people in the room and
that’s what so great about these gatherings.”
The formal opening address was made
by the new Primary Industries and Water
Minister, Jane Howlett, who attended one of
her 昀椀rst public occasions as the new minister.
TAPG chairman Mark Kable said a
key part of what TAPG does is education
and using technology to improve current
practises.
“This year we’ve made a real effort to
bring Tas Farmers on board so that we have a
Weather watch
... Josh Bailey,
left, and Fiona
Kerslake from
Ag Logic with
James Lord
TAPG director
and Rueben
Wells from Ag
logic with a
weather station
and water 昀氀ow
meter.
really good crossover and so that when we go
to government about policy, we’ve got both
parties on the same wavelength,” Mr Kable
said.
“The event is all about wider education
and for our industry to adopt, adhere and
put practices in place to move forward
sustainably.
“If we don’t continue to use the technology
to put cleaner greener practises in place,
we’ll lose the social licence to do it,” he said.
However, Mr Kable believes it’s not just
about educating the farmers but educating the
younger generation as well.
The day before the expo there was a
training day at Hagley where 14 students
from around the state participated in all
things agricultural-related with a mixture of
theoretical and practical sessions aimed at
educating students about the industry.
“One of the things TAPG are trying to do
is share with kids that agriculture careers are
for everybody, you don’t have to be born on a
farm to have a future in agriculture,” he said.
“There’s lectures about things from cattle
handling to chemical spraying, it’s a great
thing we get to run,” Mr Brient said.
Sandra Knowles from Ag Innovation
Hub and Grant Gilmour from Beanstalk Ag
Tech were other presenters on the day with
their talk on data collection and planning
controlled traf昀椀c farming.
Matt Webb from National Resources and
Environment also made a well-received
presentation on the latest updates for the
Land Innovation System Technology
(LIST) which is a unique database where
individual properties can be looked up to
gain information about things like average
temperatures, soil moisture and type, and
crop suitability.
Long-time event attendee Michael Badcock
from Enchanted Farms said he had a lot to do
with putting TAPG together in the early days
and was pleased to be able to witness what
the event has become.
“Back in the day we had a lot of challenges
in the industry so we put this organisation
together so we could have an independent
voice representing everybody and look what
it’s evolved into,” Mr Badcock said.
Mr Badcock is involved in representative
bodies and boards both in the state and
federally.
“This is a good venue for issues and
proposals to be presented and brought
forward,” he said.
“Part of the process of moving forward is
looking at future technologies and there’s
been some fantastic stuff discussed here,
especially with precision agriculture who’s
been a real winner,” Mr Badcock said.
“Farmers have been under a fair bit of
stress because of farm economics being tight
due to the buying power of some of our major
supermarkets and fast-food outlets, so there’s
a lot of challenges out there.”
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