Sam Tretheway, CEO of SproutX is delivering his keynote address on the future of Agtech at the Robb College Foundation dinner. He describes futuristic rural landscapes loaded with remote sensors gathering real time data from crops and livestock, used to inform better farming decisions. Sam embodies the new order in agriculture, he's young, open minded and challenges the establishment. 

Sitting across from me is Claudia and Forbes, two second year Ag science students. Claudia buys and sells cattle, has her own ABN and knows exactly what's going on with her Superannuation. Forbes would have been at home at Macquarie street, a keen eye on the who's who of the night, a perfect young politician in the making. “Ag-week” as it's known, is UNE’s opportunity to bring alumni, students and experts together to focus on contemporary agriculture, especially new technologies.

The highlight of Agweek is an Agtech symposium and in her welcome, the Vice Chancellor of UNE, Annabelle Duncan highlighted the recent announcement by the NSW Government of the development of an Agtech Cluster in New England.

The New England Agtech Cluster builds on work undertaken by the university, but also by founders such as Arthur Rickards in developing ABRI, an original ag tech cluster, or Peter Cull’s pioneering work in wireless irrigation technology. There are many other pioneering agtech companies in Armidale.  

Within UNE David Lamb has developed a world class “Smart Farm” right here in Armidale. The Kirby Farm is a magnet for agtech industry innovators and it is to be seen, to be believed.

Another leading initiative is the Smart Region Incubator, it uses Lean Startup process to incubate ideas into projects that can be funded through to commercialisation. One example is an integrated mobile abattoir in development by Anita Taylor and Sarah Burrows, from Red Eight Produce. It disrupts traditional methods and gives supply chain control back to the producer. 

Armidale is a logical choice for an Agtech Cluster. It is surrounded by the most productive and diverse agricultural landscapes in Australia, but more importantly, it has talented people.  

Chris Celovic is the New England Agtech Cluster Champion