AgVic Talk

The National Implementing Food Traceability Program looks to help and support growers to be the most efficient and cost-effective that they can be when it comes to traceability. In this episode, Rose Elphick-Darling from Deakin University’s Food Traceability Lab delves into the help that is on offer. Learn more about traceability and access the Quick Start Guide at the Agriculture Victoria informa...

Tracing fruit from the farm to a consumer anywhere in the world with Nathan Hancock, CEO of Citrus Australia. Learn how the citrus industry has been exploring ways to connect consumers with information through innovative packaging, QR codes and fun games. Plus, find out about the research on isotope tracing and how it can be used to protect Australian brands and help prevent food fraud.  Learn mor...

The supermarket's the final link in the traceability chain for consumers and the endpoint for a huge amount of data. Ram Akella from Woolworths joins us in this episode to discuss how all this information is managed and what it is used for. Learn more about traceability and access the Quick Start Guide at the Agriculture Victoria information hub by visiting agriculture.vic.gov.au/traceability

Traceability, a relatively simple word that covers so much but where to start is the question a lot of organisations have. Join Jayne Gallagher from Honey & Fox in this episode as she pulls apart the traceability journey and sheds some light on where to get started. Learn more about traceability and access the Quick Start Guide at the Agriculture Victoria information hub by visiting agriculture.vi...

Traceability is the ability to share information about the movement of a product through the supply chain, across the stages of production, processing and distribution. Find out how systems and standards make global trade possible and why strong partnerships and data sharing across the supply chain is good for business. In this AgVic Talk episode, Peter Carter explains how the GS1 system of standa...

Alternative energy options have allowed Darcra Farming to diversify into broiler chickens. In this episode hear from Craig Henderson as he explains how the solar panel infrastructure works.  Learn more about the opportunities for energy technologies to improve farm productivity and resilience on the Energy Smart Farming website: https://extensionaus.com.au/energysmartfarming/home The 'Getting into...

There is a lot of hype about what drones can do on farm, so the Boort BestWool/BestLamb group decided to test them out. Hear from Agriculture Victoria Livestock Extension Officer, Erica Schelfhorst and farmer, Adam Twigg.  Investing in AgTech can be expensive. Before making a purchase, you should plan what you need or what problems you are trying to solve. More information can be found on the plan...

There is an opportunity to turn manure and other biomass into energy for use on-farm. Jock Charles from Berrybank farm talks about how the quest to produce heat, power and fertiliser from pig manure has dramatically changed their business. Andrew Lang, a south-western Victoria farmer and president of the Victorian Bioenergy Network has travelled the world seeing how bioenergy works for farmers and...

Tatura dairy farmer, Tony McCarthy talks about the energy journey his business has embarked on. Followed by Julie Harman, Agriculture Victoria's Farm Business Economist, who talks about the benefits of on-farm energy including the direct benefit of energy savings along with many having substantial labour and water efficiency savings as well. Learn more about the opportunities for energy technologi...

There are about 600 AgriTech companies pioneering solutions for farming to produce more with less in Australia. This seemingly rapid growth may have you asking, why AgTech? In this episode, Chair of the Australian Agritech Association and Managing Director of FarmBot, Andrew Coppin, explains why you need AgTech, and how it can be used to solve on-farm problems and enable farmers to produce more wi...

Connectivity has been a long-standing issue and there's been a long debate about how to make improvements. In this episode of AgVic Talk, co-chair of the Australian Broadband Advisory Committee's Agri-Tech Expert Working Group, Peter Waters talks us through the importance of connectivity in digital agriculture and the wide range technologies emerging to improve connectivity in rural areas. More in...

Cutting power costs through AgTech and renewables can reduce energy bills and deliver other unexpected benefits. Sandra Jefford, co-owner and manager of Wilandra Farms, who have installed solar with monitoring and automation along with energy efficiency upgrades resulting in days of labour savings each week. Visit Sandra's farm virtually here: https://extensionaus.com.au/energysmartfarming/wilandr...

In the age where almost every device is collecting data, what do you need to know and how do you harness it to make informed decisions? In this episode we discuss these questions with Andrea Koch, CEO and Founder of DIGISOIL and chair of the National Farmers Federation Data Working Group.  More information can be found on the planning your investment in AgTech page on the Agriculture Victoria webs...

Once an energy audit is completed there is the process of implementing the recommendations. Hear how Christine and Andrew Sebire completed and implemented their free on-farm energy audit which led to them replacing the diesel irrigation pumps with electric solar operated pumps. This project not only reduced their energy costs but cut greenhouse gas emissions, reduced labour and improved crop produ...

In this episode we talk to mixed farmer and AgTech consultant, Adrian Roles, about the journey he has been on and his learnings from his own property and clients. More information can be found on the planning your investment in AgTech page on the Agriculture Victoria website: https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/farm-management/agtech/introduction-to-agtech/planning-your-investment-in-agtech The 'Gettin...

Electricity to power equipment like irrigation pumps can be one of farmers’ biggest costs. However, with careful planning and investment, it can also be a significant way to add back to improve the bottom line. Jonathan Chislet, from Chislet Farms, shares how he accessed good energy advice through a strong relationship with a well-informed electrician. For those not in that situation, a starting p...

Investing in AgTech can be expensive. Before making a purchase, you should plan what you need or what problems you are trying to solve. Planning for AgTech helps ensure the products you buy fit the needs of your business and provide a return on investment. In this episode Mark Sloan gives us an overview of the things you need to think about and how to start your AgTech journey.  More information c...

AgTech on-farm has dramatically changed, with farming operations producing copious amounts of data. In this episode we here from Kaniva farmer, Jonathan Dyer, and Australian Agritech Association CEO, Tracey Martin.  Investing in AgTech can be expensive. Before making a purchase, you should plan what you need or what problems you are trying to solve. More information can be found on the planning yo...

Welcome to the agtech and energy season five of the AgVic Talk podcast show. The 'Getting into AgTech' eLearn allows you to understand more about AgTech and how it can help drive productivity and profitability: https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/farm-management/agtech/introduction-to-agtech/getting-into-agtech-elearn-series Learn more about the opportunities for energy technologies to improve farm pro...

The opportunities in horticulture are huge. In this careers in horticulture episode, we chat with Nathan Free, Managing Director of Wattle Organic Farms who talks about the skills needed to supply fresh organic food like cut pumpkin, broccoli and stone fruit direct to supermarket shelves around the country. For help finding workers or business support visit: https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/crops-an...

With the shortage of seasonal workers, workforce planning and management has never been more important for the horticulture industry. Ben Reeve from Meridian Agriculture joins us in the AgVic Talk studio to discuss how horticulture growers can attract and retain staff. For help finding workers or business support visit: https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/crops-and-horticulture/the-big-victorian-harves...

Crucial to the success of the Sunraysia food bowl, are the estimated 15,000 seasonal workers who pick crops and maintain orchards. Today we chat to Corey Iredale, Pastoral Care Program Coordinator and Villiami Veaa, who commenced work as a seasonal worker at 21 years old and is now giving back to his community as a pastoral worker. Corey and Villiami talk about how they ae helping keep seasonal wo...

Mentoring is a great way to support and encourage the next generation of primary producers in the horticulture sector In this episode, we chat with Katrina Garraway on how she has started her career with Select Harvest during a year 10 work experience placement. She is now balancing study and work and has formal mentoring structured into her horticulture job. We then chat with Jane Finch, Operatio...

If you love outdoor working, you will love a career in agriculture. In this careers in horticulture episode we chat with Bhupinder Kaur, who grew up on a farm in Northern India. She came to Australia to study management, but it was her love for farming and the outdoors that drew her back to agriculture. She now works as an agronomist for GV Independent Packers in Shepparton. For help finding worke...

In this careers in horticulture episode we are looking into technology focused careers in agriculture. If you have a love for all things technology, robots, AI and VR, then horticulture might be perfect for you! Today we are chatting with Hunter Jay, who is developing robots to automate the harvesting of apples, oranges and stone fruit. For help finding workers or business support visit: https://a...