FOLLOWING its success in its inaugural year in 2017, the highly-anticipated TECHSPO will be returning to Western Australia on August 7-8, 2019.
Southern Dirt's TECHSPO aims to be WA's premier technology and innovation event for the agricultural community and associated industries.
The event will be held over two days in Wagin and Katanning respectively.
TECHSPO will be bringing technology developers, farmers, advisers, expert researchers and officials together for two jam-packed days of advanced agriculture technology, information sharing and collaboration with an optional study tour for those who want to experience more.
Topics that will be unpacked include virtual saleyards, augmented reality in farming, robotics in agriculture and provenance and traceability trends.
Increased investment and rapid advancements in these technologies have not only improved their affordability, but also allowed for the industry to mature in recent years and demonstrate real returns on investment to farmers.
Southern Dirt's CEO Tracey Hodgkins believes TECHSPO is this year's must-see event on the WA agricultural calendar.
"TECHSPO is the only event in WA to showcase agricultural technology and its connection to profit for farmers," Ms Hodgkins said.
"It is one event that farmers and the industry cannot miss.
"If you go to just one event this year - make it TECHSPO."
The event format is based on a mixture of conference and in-field demonstrations.
On day one, experts in agricultural innovation from Australia and abroad will share their knowledge and provide inspirational forums that address technological advancements in agriculture, while exhibitors will be showcasing innovative products and services set to revolutionise the face of Australian farming in the future.
On day two, TECHSPO will offer working demonstration areas that allow participants to learn experientially which has long been acknowledged in agriculture as a primary extension tool - farmers can touch, feel and see the technologies first hand.
It will be held at the Katanning Research Station, commencing with workshops which explore ways to integrate technology into farming and then moving into field demonstrations which showcase the viability of these technologies on a property.
The event will demonstrate areas that are critical for farming in this State - livestock technologies for sheep, cattle, and other animals, broadacre cropping technologies, big data and new apps, machinery and Greentech.
Tickets are limited and will sell through quickly.
Early bird tickets are now available at $55 off the regular ticket price for a limited time.
To view the current program of activities, purchase early bird tickets and take a sneak peek at TECHSPO's impressive line-up, visit www.techspo.com.au.
The SwarmBot robot, created by future-focused Agtech company SwarmFarm Robotics, will be a must-see at this years' conference.
SwarmFarm's vision is to empower farmers with new farming systems, and has built an "open developer" system, whereby any developer, anywhere in the world can release new ag tech, tools and attachments on board the SwarmBot robot.
The SwarmBot's initial applications include spraying, spreading and mowing, and TECHSPO delegates will have an exclusive chance to see the SwarmBot in action.
Southern Dirt chair Evan Hall believed TECHSPO was unique in the direct access it provided to global ag tech thought leaders and their technologies.
"The event offers a fantastic opportunity to take in the best the industry has to offer and a chance to see, hear and speak to true leaders in their fields," Mr Hall said.
"TECHSPO is the go to ag innovation and technology event in WA.
"Don't miss this one!"
Southern Dirt is one of WA's leading grower groups and aims to create and sustain vibrant, healthy, prosperous farms and communities.
The group encompasses some of WA's most productive land and represents some of the States' most innovative farmers.
Its region extends from Boddington to Frankland and everywhere in between from the coast to the Wheatbelt - an area that encompasses over 2600 mixed farming enterprises.
Southern Dirt also has a young farmers network that aims to support, coach and inspire our young and developing farmers to grow a sustainable agribusiness and cultivate personal and professional relationships across WA's South West and beyond.