HomeEducational ResourcesAgTech News Roundup – 3 April

AgTech News Roundup – 3 April

Apr 08 2025

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In this edition:

• ABARES Snapshot of Australian Agriculture 2025 released
• New agtech manufacturing facility for the Darling Downs
• Beta Foragecaster app now on AgriWebb marketplace

ABARES Snapshot: Gross value of agricultural production to rise

With today’s headlines dominated by tariffs, you may have missed the other major release in the past 24 hours: the ABARES Snapshot of Australian Agriculture 2025. According to the report, “despite declining in 2023–24, on the back of drier conditions and lower crop prices, agricultural production was still the third highest on record and is forecast to increase again in 2024–25.” Access the full report here.

SwarmFarm Robotics Opens Darling Downs Manufacturing Facility 

Australian agtech pioneers SwarmFarm Robotics celebrated the opening of their new manufacturing facility at Wellcamp, QLD. “This facility marks a major milestone in our journey to become a world-class manufacturer of autonomous agricultural technology,” said the Company. The facility, which will enable SwarmFarm to scale up and meet demand for their Integrated Autonomy service, will drive innovation, jobs, and economic growth for the region, in a move the company labelled “a step onto the global stage, positioning SwarmFarm as a leader in farmer-first autonomy.” 

New on AgriWebb Marketplace: Foragecaster

 A major milestone in a $6.5m Food Agility CRC research project aiming to develop an AI-enabled decision-making system for farmers has been celebrated, with the Beta program of Foragecaster officially released on the AgriWebb marketplace. This is the third release from the project team, after their Rotational Planner and Grazing Planner. The overall goal for this project is to provide farmers with the confidence to trust the system, says AgriWebb’s Dr Kenny Sabir. “If a farmer using the Foragecaster planning tools wants to know the reasons behind a recommendation or prediction, we can provide them with the data to justify it. That confidence will ultimately help mitigate risk and improve efficiency.” 

Aussie Made for Aussie Conditions

AWARDS & RECOGNITION

‘Fitbit for Cows’ Among Winners of NSSN Grand Challenge 

The NSW Smart Sensing Network has announced its four Grand Challenge winners, including agtech project Smart Electrochemical Nanosensors for Real-Time Animal Health Monitoring. The project, led by Macquarie University, in partnership with University of Sydney and industry partner VetChip, aims to develop a next-generation electrochemical sensing platform for real-time, non-invasive monitoring of key animal health biomarkers. The four winning teams will share in $790,000 of funding from the NSSN and industry to develop their solutions. 

Finalists for 36th Banksia National Sustainability Awards Announced

The annual Banksia National Sustainability Awards recognise a cross-section of Australian innovation, featuring pioneering businesses of all sizes, forward-thinking organisations, and transformative not-for-profits. Congratulations to agtech company Farmbot Monitoring Solutions, who are nominated in the Technology for Impact category! Winners will be announced at the Awards Presentation at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (3 April).

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

Circular Agriculture
CivVic Labs has partnered with Agriculture Victoria to ask Victorian innovators: “How can technology create circular economy opportunities in agriculture?” If you have an answer to that question, this six-week bootcamp and $15,000 equity-free funding opportunity is for you.

Elders Community Giving Project 2025
Supporting initiatives that provide sustainable, tangible and long-term benefits for Australian rural, regional and remote communities, Elders Community Giving project offers a total of 12 grants at either $10,000 or $20,000 per grant.

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