Hort Connections’ trade show allowed machinery manufacturers the chance to showcase horticulture-specific products, including various autonomous innovations
More than 4,000 delegates attended this year’s Hort Connections conference, marking a record attendance for the Australian horticulture industry’s annual event.
Held at Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre in early June, visitors could browse through a trade show filled with machinery, technology and produce that showcased every aspect of the industry.
This was supplemented by events such as an industry breakfast, gala dinner and plenary sessions throughout.
Here is a selection of the machinery being displayed during the trade show:
Burro
The autonomous Burro robot caught the eye as it roamed around the Hort Connections trade show.
Distributed by Agri Automation, the Burro is fitted with computer vision, artificial intelligence and high-precision GPS to make it a game changer on farms.
It can complete many tasks such as carrying produce and materials, towing trailers and spraying, with further tasks in development.
The Original Burro, which can carry 500lb (225kg) and Burro Grande, with a 1500lb (680kg) carrying capacity were both on display.
Weed Selector
Shown in collaboration with the Burro was Agtech by Design’s Weed Selector.
This green-on-brown system is an AI-vision based spot spraying system which is designed for use in vineyards and orchard crops.
The company says it offers 60 to 80 per cent chemical savings and reduces orchard soil damage.
As it works with autonomous vehicles such as Burro, it also reduces operator exposure to residual chemicals.
ADM
Melbourne-based ADM Packaging Automation showcased its locally manufactured VFFS (vertical form fill and seal) machines.
Otherwise known as bag makers, these machines work in a variety of food packaging settings, including the agriculture-focused dairy industry.
These machines can form a valuable part of a dairy production line, along with packaging horticulture-specific products such as fruit, and can have optional upgrades such as re-closeable zippers and vacuum seals.
ADM’s C-Series machines offer continuous motion, along with better tracking performance due to consistent film tensioning, better speeds and longer filling time.
AgXeed
Distributed locally by Landpower Australia, the AgBot 5.115T2 was one of the larger machines at Hort Connections.
This autonomous system attaches to a variety of implements to complete tasks such as soil and seedbed preparation along with seeding.
It has variable track widths for versatility and works alongside the AgXCloud farm management app and portal.
At Hort Connections, the AgBot was paired with a KG 3001 Super rotary cultivator from fellow Landpower brand Amazone. AgXeed also won a silver medal for innovation at last year’s Agritechnica in Germany.
Prospr
The new Prospr autonomous vehicle, manufactured by New Zealand’s Robotics Plus and distributed locally by Croplands, was another popular machine at the trade show.
Prospr is specifically designed for the horticulture industry and its capabilities include automated intelligent spraying.
Its modular flexibility and adaptable design allow it to be used across various crop types and applications, while multiple units can collaborate in a fleet.
Either two, three or four Quantum sprayer modules feature on each side of Prospr, allowing different spray rates to be controlled, while intelligent safety features and a simple user interface are all present.
GUSS
John Deere had its GUSS sprayer, which stands for Global Unmanned Spray System, as part of the Hort Connections trade show.
First unveiled at last year’s event, this semi-autonomous system is described by the manufacturer as being the “future of high value crop spraying”.
GUSS uses sophisticated systems such as vehicle sensors and software to supplement GPS and guide it safely and efficiently through crops.
Its semi-autonomous nature means one person can supervise up to eight machines while seated inside a ute.
Deere also had a 5105MH tractor displayed outside the main trade show.
This 104hp (77kW) tractor is the mid-size unit in its high crop tractor range.
Kubota
Kubota was another manufacturer which exhibited both inside and outside the trade show entry doors.
As visitors approached the entrance, they were greeted with an M9540 tractor that had a VP1400 vegetable planter attached to it.
The M9540 is a 95hp tractor showcased at Hort Connections in cabin form, while the VP1400 has a 4m frame width and a maximum 28 rows.
Inside the hall, the Kubota implements took the spotlight with these planters being among the products showcased.
Fendt
Tractor manufacturer Fendt had one of the largest machines inside the trade show – the 728 Vario Gen7.
Part of the 700 Gen 7 Series, this machine has previously won the 2023 Tractor of the Year prize voted on by European journalists at the EIMA exhibition.
It features the newly developed Fendt VarioDrive driveline, integrated VarioGrip tyre pressure control system and FendtOne operating system, along with a six-cylinder, 7.5L Agco-Power engine, which produces a maximum of 283hp (211kW) and also allows extra power of up to 20hp.
Other highlights include a new transmission, new hydraulic and cooling system, new premium driver’s seat, separate hydraulic motors for the front and rear axles and constant four-wheel drive automatically regulated for best traction.
Di Loreto
Victorian business Di Loreto Farm Machinery showcased some of its horticulture specific machinery during the trade show.
Due to celebrate its 50th anniversary next year, Di Loreto highlighted products from one of the brands it imports – Sfoggia Agricultural Division.
One machine on show from the Italian manufacturer was its Florida semi-automatic transplanter.
Suitable for everything from lettuce to tomato plants, it is equipped with an equaliser that ensures an exact working depth even on irregular soils.
