Gatton Smart Farm

The VegMech Technology Catalogue was launched in a global webinar on Tuesday 4 August with more than 100 people from 8 countries registered for the online event.

DPI’s VegMech team at the Gatton Smart Farm developed the comprehensive, easy-to-navigate resource to bring together more than 40 automated and mechanised field machinery solutions for the Australian vegetable industry.

It provides technology overviews and technical details along with manufacturer information and supporting resources to give visitors a practical understanding of features and capabilities along with supplier information.

Project partner GOFAR have published this story about the catalogue.

New AgTech Catalogue Helps Australian Growers Navigate New Technology
Online Resource Includes 50+ Mechanised and Autonomous Field Machines

Sorting through all the mechanised and autonomous agricultural equipment on offer can feel overwhelming. Information is often scattered across dozens of manufacturer websites, making research incredibly time-consuming. VegMech’s new Technology Catalogue aims to simplify the search and help Australian growers quickly find the solutions they need.

“The catalogue was designed to help Australian growers explore what's available, compare solutions and connect with key contacts for manufacturers and suppliers,” said Julie O'Halloran, Senior Development Horticulturist at Queensland Department of Primary Industries. “Each product listing has standardised technical information, so growers can easily compare the solutions that interest them.”

Each technology has a list of specs identified by Australian growers as crucial for decision-making. A few of these include:

• Core Functionality
• Application
• Number of units in service
• Ongoing costs
• Estimated ROI
• Energy source
• Dimensions
• Net weight
• Connectivity
• Horsepower

Solutions for Australian Growers' Biggest Challenges
As of this article’s publication date, the catalogue includes 50+ different mechanised and automated solutions. When choosing which innovations to include, VegMech use three key criteria:

Field-focused solutions: such as automated and mechanised technologies that support in-crop management, harvesting, and field preparation through to planting.

Commercially available or commercially emerging solutions only. No startups or early prototypes.

Proven technology that improves labour efficiency and/or reduces crop input requirements for vegetable production systems.

“The focus on technologies for labour and crop input efficiencies addresses a very real challenge for the Australian vegetable industry,” O'Halloran said.

According to the 2025 Vegetable Industry Sentiment Report:

• 60% of Australian vegetable growers experienced workforce shortages in 2025.
• At the same time, crop input costs increased by nearly 30%.
• Nearly half of growers surveyed said investment in innovative technology and mechanisation could help address these challenges.

VegMech plans to update the existing products annually, and new technology will be added quarterly. O'Halloran noted the catalogue is based on manufacturer willingness to provide the information.

She said, “We aim for a comprehensive catalogue, but there will be other technologies out there that aren’t currently included. The catalogue will evolve as additional manufacturers come on board to highlight their technologies for the Australian market.”

Filters Simplify the Search Process
For growers wondering how to use the tool, O'Halloran recommends starting with the most challenging problems.

“Identifying the biggest issue in a production system is the best way to find technology that can make a real difference,” O'Halloran said. “For example, if crop input costs like herbicides are an issue, tick the box for smart / precision spraying technologies. If resistant weeds are a big issue, use the filter to select non-chemical weed management technologies.”

Users can filter by application, TRL, crop type and “Labelled by VegMech.”

Labelled by VegMech
Ticking the “Labelled by VegMech” filter will show all solutions which have had input from the manufacturer, along with bonus content, such as demo videos and additional technical specs. If you choose not to use the filter, look for the VegMech Insights tag, which denotes listings with extra information.

“The Labelled by VegMech products include additional information requested by the VegMech project reference group, an advisory group composed of representative Australian vegetable growers,” O'Halloran explained.

Grower Case Studies
The catalogue also includes other resources, such as case studies of Australian growers who have trialled different technologies.

“Growers looking to invest in new technology can see the experience other growers have had,” O'Halloran said. “There’s a common misconception that automation replaces labour entirely. But in many cases, it changes the type of work required to perform a particular process. Instead of eliminating jobs, there can be a shift towards more technical roles, to assist with operating and servicing the technology, or a redeployment of labour resources to other operations in the business.”

About VegMech
The VegMech project, led by the Queensland Department of Primary Industries and funded by Hort Innovation, aims to increase grower awareness of available technologies and increase the profile of the Australian market for these technologies — ultimately improving the productivity, profitability, and sustainability of growers in Australia.

“We hope that the catalogue will provide some initial information on key technologies that fit these criteria and help Australian growers make more informed decisions regarding where to start in the adoption of any new technology,” O'Halloran said.

Explore the Catalogue