A $30 million weed management project and a new $3.5 million protected cropping centre were just two of many highlights at the 2025 Gatton AgTech Showcase
The 2025 Gatton AgTech Showcase has concluded with around 1,000 growers, agribusinesses, researchers and industry leaders having travelled to Queensland’s Smart Farm for the two-day event.
Held from October 15-16, the event aims to keep growers and industry at the forefront of technology development and adoption to drive on farm productivity and profitability, through live demonstrations, expert panels and interactive exhibits.
A highlight of this year’s showcase was the announcement of the next generation weed management project – a three-part project aiming to transform how growers tackle weed challenges through smarter and more sustainable solutions.
Funded by Hort Innovation, the $30 million project is being delivered by Applied Horticultural Research, Nufarm, Australia and La Trobe University, with each organisation designated its own individual project.
Applied Horticulture Research is partnering with grower-led groups in Queensland and Victoria to accelerate the adoption of AI-enabled robotics and autonomous vehicles for weeding, planting and spraying.
This will focus on real-world integration of these technologies into Australian vegetable farms, providing support services, production system adjustments and clear economic analysis to reduce the risk for wider industry uptake.
Nufarm Australia is collaborating with Croplands and Kilter to develop an autonomous robotic precision spot-spraying system that uses advanced machine learning and green-on-green weed detection to apply microdroplet herbicides directly onto individual weeds.
This smart spraying technology is designed to reduce herbicide use by up to 95 per cent while increasing yield and lowering labour costs.
Lastly, La Trobe University, in partnership with the Northern Territory Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, is leading a research initiative to investigate Anaerobic Soil Disinfestation (ASD) – a chemical-free method of weed and pathogen control gaining traction overseas.
“This project is a prime example of how we’re investing in smarter ways to grow,” Hort Innovation CEO Brett Fifield says.
“By linking this initiative to the broader productivity agenda, we’re helping growers farm smarter.
“Our 2025 report on horticultural productivity with the Centre for International Economics revealed that automation, and AI and machine learning are two of the powerful drivers that will create a more productive and profitable sector for our growers.
“At the Gatton AgTech Showcase, growers were given the opportunity to see some of this smart weeding technology in action, giving them a look to the future – and creating a lot of excitement about its potential along the way.”
The 2025 Gatton AgTech Showcase also featured the unveiling of the $3.57 million Protected Cropping Centre for Mild Winter Climates, which will provide increase supply chain opportunities for domestic and export markets of Queensland grown produce.
The new Cravo structure features a retractable roof, designed to protect crops from weather – such as rain, hail, strong winds or excessive sun – while optimising growing conditions by combining outdoor benefits with controlled indoor environments.
“With an increased focus on being more efficient with inputs and a need to control climate, the Queensland Centre for Protected Cropping in Mild Winter Climates will be essential for industry to see and understand the advantages of investing in this type of facility,” National Farmers Federation Horticulture Council chair Jolyon Burnett says.