Agriculture experts earmark innovation as way forward at Wagga’s National Ag Day event | The Daily Advertiser | Wagga Wagga, NSW

New technology and innovation has been hailed as the way forward for the Riverina’s agricultural sector as more extreme weather events impact the regions farmers.

But AgriFutures managing director John Harvey said despite the significant flooding events of the past few months, the most significant challenge for the sector is water efficiency.

“It’s very easy to get caught up in the moment but I still think ultimately we’ve got to be working on the longer term issues,” he said.

Speaking at a National Ag Day event on Friday, visiting professor in agriculture communications Courtney Meyers agreed extreme weather was not just responding to floods.

“No matter how much control we want to have over our lives, weather will always trump that,” she said.

“Some of the technologies that deal with better weather forecasting would help farmers know how changing temperature patterns might play out.”

Organised by Wagga company AgriFutures with Charles Sturt University, Regional Development Australia Riverina, and AgriPark this year’s Ag Day event surrounded the theme innovation.

Mr Harvey said digital technologies like the Internet of Things which allows data transfer between computers or machines without human interaction.

“Simple things like having a sensor at the end of the irrigator and turning the pump off, that can save enormous amounts of water and labour.”

“Two thirds to fourth fifths of Australian farms don’t have adequate connectivity and we solve that problem,” he said.

Despite the year’s significant weather events, NSW’s agricultural sector grew by $2 billion, contributing $23.1 billion to the economy.

“Our cropping sector reaped the benefits of strong seasonal conditions to record a 43 per cent increase on last year to reach $11.9 billion,” he said.

“Livestock industries also achieved a record value of $7.9 billion due to a recovery in sheep meat and wool production and higher lamb, beef and wool prices.”

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