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New thinking needed to unlock greater productivity

By Steve Mudd posted 23-08-2022 11:17

  

New thinking needed to unlock greater productivity


New technology could see farmers use drones to strike weeds from the sky or turn milking sheds into solar-generators, if Australia invests in more research and development.

With Science Week drawing to a close, NSW Farmers Dairy Committee Chair Colin Thompson said it was a timely reminder of the important role science played in everyone’s lives through agricultural production.

“Farmers produce food and fibre for families, it’s a simple as that,” Mr Thompson said.

“As Aussies we are a nation of innovators and we’ve come up with so many great inventions that have transformed our lives, and we’re asking the public and private sectors to really invest in the breakthroughs of tomorrow.”

While many people knew of great Aussie inventions like the Cochlear implant or WiFi, there were lesser-known yet equally important local farming innovations such as the header harvester or stump-jump plough that had revolutionised productivity. 

“When you’re producing food and fibre in a tough country like Australia, you need to think outside the box and we want to see this proud tradition of farming and science continue,” Mr Thompson said.

“Not only does it make sense to be able to do more with less, such as in intensive dairying, but also in doing things better, like we can with drones.

“Of course, there are those other innovations that come from pure research and development, and farmers really wants to see that continue because it will unlock greater productivity and manage the challenges of the future.”


Date: Saturday, August 20, 2022
Media Contact: Steve Mudd  | 0429 011 690 | mudds@nswfarmers.org.au
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