Organizer
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Upper North Farming Systems
Speakers
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Jordy KitschkeFounder, Flux RoboticsJordy is the founder of Flux Robotics, a tech startup reimagining how chemical inputs are applied on-farm through targeted, intelligent robotics.
With a background rooted in both farming and deep-tech, Jordy’s career has focused on solving agriculture’s most complex problems using cutting-edge technology. After early experience at MEQ Probe, where he helped commercialise Al-driven meat quality assessment tools, Jordy set out to tackle inefficient chemical use in broadacre farming.
At Flux, he’s leading the development of autonomous systems that combine computer vision, machine learning, and edge computing to detect and treat weeds with precision, reducing costs, improving yield, and lessening environmental impact.
A former AgriFutures Horizon Scholar and evokeAG Future Young Leader, Jordy is passionate about the role of robotics in driving the next agricultural revolution.
His vision is to give farmers new tools that unlock smarter, more granular decision-making, reshaping how each square metre of farmland is managed.
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James VenningGrain grower - Barunga Grains, Grower Director - GPSA, Chair - Northern Sustainable Soils (NSS), Board Member, Hart Field-Site -
Emma AyliffeMixed farmer & Agronomist, Central West NSW and Co-director, Summit Ag Agricultural Consulting
UNFS Expo 2025 (Grain Automate) at Melrose
Instead of us, Upper North Farming Systems (UNFS), hosting our usual Annual Expo, we’ve decided to partner with the Grains Research & Development Corporation (GRDC), and the Society of Precision Agriculture Australia (SPAA) to bring an Ag Tech Expo into the Upper North.We are very lucky to have Ed Scott, UNFS industry representative, Soil & Land Company president and soil scientist with Field Systems Australia, facilitating the day.With the rapid increase of Ag Tech in farming, it’s important for growers to stay informed about the tools and innovations shaping the future of farming. From data-driven decision-making to automation and remote sensing, ag tech is no longer a futuristic trend, it’s a core part of modern farm management.This event is designed to inform practical, regionally relevant technology and research that can help improve productivity, profitability, and sustainability for Upper North farmers.
Morning tea, lunch and coffee from Splendid Co will be included in your free ticket.
If you have any questions about this event, you can email them to admin@unfs.com.au
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Digital Success, not data mess – VRT implementation
Map your process to automation and setting up the digital farm and boundaries.
- Simple steps to plan for autonomy
- Getting your data organised to capitalise on existing and emerging automation
Demonstration: Verge Ag Launch Pad – Path planning highlights the importance of an accurate digital farm.
Learnings from WA
Joe & Jess Koch Highlights and learnings from Joe and Jess’s trip to the Grain Automate VRT Expo in Esperance.
Autonomy, AI and Data: What is it, what does it do and where is it going
Andrew WalterMore than just robots – Autonomation and AI coming into Ag and how it can be a tool for your business.
Better than Blanket – VRT zoning processes
Using field data to improve profit, what data layers & case studies.
- Blanket applications of inputs are often a high risk strategy,
- But having confidence in zoning your fields can be a challenge
- Understand what layers can help zoning fields for improved management
Field to figures: designing and analysing on farm trials
- Before going into Variable Rate, on farm validation of strip trials is a great stepping stone.
- Working out how to design and implement a farm trial using technology, monitor during the season and analyse yield at the end of the season (how to get good trial data).
VRT Implementation morning session review
What did we learn, what do we need?
PA in Practice: Precision weed management options
- Drone based weed detection – Michael Zwar
- SwarmBot spot spraying – Andrew Sargent
- Flux Robotics Machinery Live Demonstration – Jordy Kitschke
Nab Sponsor Session
Interest Rate Risk Manager – Hedging
Panel Session
James Venning, Emma Ayliffe, Jordy Kitschke, Andrew Sargent, Michael Zwar