Hamilton grazier Angus Brown tries out the virtual reality headset ahead of Sheepvention.

GRAZIERS will be given a glimpse into the future of farming at Hamilton’s Sheepvention next week via a virtual reality video experience.

The virtual reality video was developed by food and agribusiness banking specialist Rabobank and will be shown in the bank’s tent at Sheepvention on August 7 and 8.

Following its successful debut at the Agfest field days in Tasmania earlier this year, Rabobank regional manager for Southern Victoria & Tasmania Hamish McAlpin said the bank was excited to be showcasing the fast-paced innovation that was “just around the corner” for the agri sector.

“When people put on their virtual reality headsets it is like being transported to the future, with the video showcasing how farmers are likely to run their business increasingly from their kitchen, rather than the paddock, through the use of software technology and drones.

“And with the world’s population expected to reach nearly 10 billion people by 2050, it is estimated that food production will need to increase by at least 60 percent, highlighting why the role of innovation has never been so important – whether that be via increasing yields, robotics, drones, GPS or livestock ICT”, he said.

Mr McAlpin said innovation and the role digital technology was likely to play in the livestock sector would be also be brought to life by Rabobank agricultural analyst, Wes Lefroy who would be presenting at Sheepvention.

“Wes, who will be meeting with graziers at the Rabobank tent, has been researching the uptake of digital sensor technology such as drones, moisture probes and irrigation monitors, as well as yield mapping and electronic identification (EID),” he said.

“Using the recently-released results from Rabobank’s Rural Confidence Survey, which surveyed 1000 Australian farmers across a wide range of regions, production sectors and operation sizes, he will provide insight into the uptake of sensor technologies, whether farmers are using the data to enhance farm decision making and more importantly, business profitability.”

The virtual reality experience will be on show at Rabobank site 71 from 9am to 4 pm on August 7 and 8. Graziers are also invited to attend Mr Lefroy’s presentation on “the role and impact of digital technology within the livestock sector” at 11am on August 7.