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October AgTech Insights

Welcome back to AgTech Insights! We continue to explore the latest developments, news, and opportunities in agricultural technology to enhance the resilience of ag in TNQ.

Digital Innovation Workshops for AgTech

TAFE Queensland is running Digital Innovation Workshops to help farmers explore the potential of digital and precision technologies in agriculture. These workshops include guided access to AgValuate, a tool developed within the TNQ Drought Hub. AgValuate is a farm-specific innovation readiness assessment tool designed to help farmers understand how technology can benefit their operations.

Upcoming workshops:

  • Emerald: 22-23 Oct
  • Longreach: 29-30 Oct
  • Caboolture: 6-7 Nov
  • Kalbar: 12-13 Nov
  • Toowoomba: 14-15 Nov
  • Bowen: 26-27 Nov

Learn more.

Carrie-Ann Wilson

Knowledge Adoption Officer

Beanstalk Drought Venture Studio Seeking Producers

  • The Beanstalk Drought Venture Studio is seeking producers and agribusinesses to help shape new drought and climate resilience technologies. Partners can influence the development of innovations, trial solutions to drought challenges, and co-design strategies to scale up emerging technologies. Learn more.

SwarmFarm Robotics Milestone

  • SwarmFarm Robotics has announced the rollout of the very first SwarmBot from their new manufacturing plant in Toowoomba. This marks a significant milestone in their mission to revolutionise agriculture through advanced robotic technology.

Google Notebook LM

  • NotebookLM is an experimental tool designed to help users explore and synthesise information from various sources. It allows you to upload documents, PDFs, and websites, then leverages AI to summarise content, answer questions, and generate ideas. A standout feature is its ability to “ground” the AI in your own notes, tailoring responses to the information you provide. Additionally, users can generate audio summaries, with two AI hosts offering a dynamic, conversational “deep dive” into your materials. This conversation can be downloaded for convenience. Learn more here or try it out here.

Connectivity

  • 3G Shutdown: Telstra and Optus are set to shut down their 3G networks on 28 October 2024. This will impact various devices, including phones, tablets, modems, smartwatches, IoT devices, medical alert systems, and NextG Wireless Link. To check if your devices will continue to work after the shutdown or to learn more about the closure, visit 3gclosure.com.au.

  • Voice Service Trials and LEOSat Testing: Voice service trials have begun across regional and remote Australia to assess the reliability and quality of fixed voice services, including Low Earth Orbit Satellites (LEOSats). Conducted by Scyne Advisory, the trials will evaluate call quality and the impact of weather conditions, contributing to efforts to modernise telecommunications services. Learn more here.

Highlights from Tenacious Ventures

  • Investing in Regenerative Agriculture Supply Chains
  • Pitch Breakdown: Fractal Ag (opportunity in farmland markets)
  • Who’s on First? Sorting out crop categories around the world

Listen/Read here: Tenacious Ventures

Highlights from AgTechFinder

  • Ep 35: Talking livestock microbial tech with Terragen
  • Ep 36: Talking vertical farming with InvertiGro

Listen here: AgTechFinder

Stay tuned for next month’s edition for further updates and insights into the dynamic world of AgTech!

The TNQ Drought Hub in no way endorse the products highlighted in the AgTech Insights and that consumers should conduct their own due diligence.

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This program received funding from the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund.
We acknowledge the Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the first inhabitants of this country and pay our respects to the Traditional Owners and Elders, past and present, of the land on which we stand today, the Djabugay (pronounced Jap-ur-kai), Yirrganydji (pronounced Irri-kan-dji) and the Gimuy Yidinji (pronounced Goom-eye Yidinji) people (and all other country/people joining us today). In the spirit of reconciliation, we also acknowledge the valuable contribution that Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples continue to make to James Cook University and the broader community.

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