THE annual GroWQ Innovation Expo is returning to Longreach in July and for the first time participants will showcase some of the cutting-edge technology being used to support sheep and beef enterprises.

The event will begin with the property tour on Wednesday 30 July and the full day expo in Longreach on Thursday 31 July, which will be followed by a networking dinner.

During the expo producers can learn about the latest innovation and ways it can practically assist their businesses, listen to a range of dynamic speakers and insightful panels, as well as talk face to face with over 30 trade displays.

From people to the paddock, lab to livestock, margins and more – the expo speakers will cover a range of topics. Highlights include:

• Grant and Carly Burnham from Bonnie Doone Beef – Australia’s first and largest soil carbon sequestration.
• Jerome Leray from InFarm and Dan Korff from Rabobank will discuss how to get from exploring to evolving.
• Andrew Miller will discuss HerdXL, a cattle accounting system that allows farmers to quickly and easily compare different purchasing and sales scenarios to increase beef profit margins.
• Jess Paton from Agrista will unpack how knowing your numbers can transform farm performance and profitability.

Sheep and wool producer, Ben Banks, from Blackall is hosting the farm tour to showcase a range of technology including BreedELITE, data software for sheep producers; Quikfence, specialists in fencing machinery and supplies; Flinn Design, who specialise in custom stockyards; Woven Optics, a real-time, handheld micron testing device and more.

“We’ve been extensively using EID tags since 2012 to improve data recording and flock management in our sheep enterprise,” said Mr Banks.

“Recently we have installed a set of Flinn designed yards and purchased BreedELITE equipment to further streamline this data collection.

“By utilising all of this collected data and collaborating it with the BreedELITE software our entire flock of ewes is indexed and ranked within their age group.

“From there we can make some really positive business decisions on what sheep remain within the flock moving forward.”

Visit the GroWQ Ag innovation Expo website.