Drones as common as tractors? Farm technology in 2025

By Robin McConchie , Craig Zonca and Arlie Felton-Taylor

In a shed near Toowoomba, researchers at the University of Southern Queensland are developing the tools and techniques they think will dominate farming practice by 2025.

The Institute for Agriculture and the Environment executive manager Kevin Norman said the University of Southern Queensland had invested $30 million in its agriculture research programs.

“There’s some really exciting things coming on … real world practical solutions that we can deliver to our farmers,” he said.

Mr Norman said the future of farming was an exciting field of study.

“Looking at the drones, the sensors, the new technology, that’s the ‘sexy’, but there’s lots of great research that we’re doing,” he said.

But Mr Norman said there were also projects looking at infrastructure, new export opportunities, using food as medicine, value chain development and climate modelling.

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http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-10-27/drones-driverless-tractor-farming-in-2025/6888352