Tech Adoption Tips
6 Tech Adoption Tips for Success
The agTech landscape is evolving fast. It’s important to apply best practices when adopting any new technology. We’ve covered six of these best practices in more detail below.
1. Identify your business need(s) Show Resources
Start by clearly defining the farm challenge you want to address (e.g. labour shortages, compliance, yield, efficiency or sustainability). Then assess which agtech options may help, alongside the education and on‑farm practice changes needed for successful adoption. Consider your farm’s ethos and the Tasmanian brand—what makes your produce uniquely Tasmanian—and ensure technology aligns with your broader business identity. This ensures tech adoption is purposeful, value‑driven and focused on real on‑farm outcomes.
Department of Natural Resources & Environment Tasmania Farm Business Planning Tools
Provides multiple detailed tools and guidance to help farmers understand their businesses on key metrics like gross margin to inform decision-making and guide investments.
Digital Readiness Assessment Tool
Help businesses identify what they are doing well and where they can improve when it comes to digital maturity.
Tasmanian Agricultural Productivity Group AgTech Adoption Guide
A practical checklist to help farmers identify challenges, assess payback periods from investments, and develop a clear, step-by-step plan for adopting and maximising the benefits of new agricultural technologies.
Tas Farm Innovation Hub Resources
Explore other drought and climate resilience resources from the Hub that may better support your understanding of both wider agricultural and on-farm resilience and how agtech can play a role.
My Climate View
Plan and future proof your operations by understanding how climate change will impact your location and commodity, using past, present and future climate data.
ListMap
A free mapping website with hundreds of authoritative spatial dataset layers to choose from, including soil analyses, geology types, topography, frost risk, viable future crop regions, and much more!
Farm Business Resilience Testimonials
Listen how local Tassie farmers implemented strategies to better understand their business and feel more focused, in control, and better equipped to deal with change through the Farm Business Resilience Program.
Pre-Farm Gate Waste Data Dashboard
Explore this free interactive platform offering a sector-wide guide to baseline data on waste. The Australian Farm Waste Portal brings together resources, initiatives, news and events relating to waste and resource recovery in Australian agriculture, fisheries and forestry.
LEAN spaghetti diagrams
Map the movement of people, livestock, or equipment across the farm to identify unnecessary, repetitive travel and opportunities for process efficiencies. Use the diagram to adjust layouts or routines to reduced wasted effort and time, leading to faster tasks or the same outcomes with less work. It can also help identify repetitive, basic tasks that could be managed by automation or artificial intelligence platforms.
OurFarm Our Plan - Dairy Australia
Our Farm, Our Plan is designed to help dairy farmers set long term goals, improve business performance and manage risk. Includes simple review processes, resources, workshops and local farmer case studies.
2. Compare AgTech and assess the ROI Show Resources
Assess the potential return on investment (ROI) before implementing any solution. Consider the upfront and maintenance costs, and the long-term benefits across increased productivity, labour efficiency (including benefits to safety, welfare and work-life balance), optimised inputs and improved product quality and yield. Be sure to also account for hidden or ongoing costs such as subscriptions, integration fees, or data storage that may not be obvious at first. ROI can be calculated as: (expected benefits – costs) / costs.
Tasmanian Agricultural Productivity Group AgTech Adoption Guide
A practical checklist to help farmers identify challenges, assess payback periods from investments, and develop a clear, step-by-step plan for adopting and maximising the benefits of new agricultural technologies
TAPG ROI calculator - PDF Template - Page 4
This PDF helps you to calculate ROI from potential investments. Breaks down inputs and assumptions required to calculate potential returns from investments, including upfront and ongoing/maintenance costs against productivity gains and labour savings, to determine ROI (savings:costs) and payback period (years).
Farms of the Future AgTech Catalogue (NSW DPI)
Outlines suppliers, products, dashboards and connectivity solutions.
Australian Agritech Association’s ecosystem map
This map showcases organisations of all sizes participating in the AgTech ecosystem. This map is updated on a monthly basis.
AgriFutures GrowAG
Lists technology startups by industry, focus area, technology area, sustainability and technology readiness.
AgTech Finder
Independent marketplace helping helping Australian farmers and producers search, sort, and compare AgTech solutions. Hundreds of solutions are searchable by focus area (broadacre, horticulture, livestock) and solution type.
MLA AgTech ROI tool
Helps livestock producers estimate the costs of current management practices and identify potential savings/benefits from adopting technologies related to water and livestock monitoring.
MLA AgTech ROI Case Study – Coolindown Pastoral
A practical example of how integrating AgTech tools can improve livestock management, welfare, and traceability. The case study shows the benefits of combining multiple solutions to enhance decision-making and on-farm outcomes.
Agbot ROI Calculator
Calculates the value of Agbot's smart watering point solution vs. the cost of manual water checks
3. Set yourself up for ongoing agtech success Show Resources
Effective use of AgTech is often reliant on other foundations being in place. These include sufficient connectivity, digital training to make use of the data and tech, and processes to turn data information into timely decisions. Also consider data ownership, privacy, and security, to ensure the information generated remains useful and under your control.
Additionally, many tech frustrations come from app basics (like login resets or updates) rather than the tools themselves. Check what user support and training options are offered before you commit to a platform.
MLA Digital Ag Device Comparison Chart
A practical, downloadable chart designed to help farmers compare AgTech devices side by side. It covers connectivity options, data plans, coverage, costs, and functionality, making it easier to choose the right solution for your farm.
Farmers2Founders Tekfarms "Selecting the Right Tech Checklist"
This handy checklist can be used to support you to better assess different agtech solutions and service providers, with "top tips for producers considering agtech"
National Farmers Federation on-farm connectivity guide
Upskilling in digital, as well as installing on farm digital solutions all require good connectivity.
Digital Support for Small Business
The Digital Solutions program run by the Tasmanian Government offers 4 hours of free digital coaching as well as many online courses.
Farm Mapping Services
Custom Farm Map Tools to improve communication and boost productivity. Custom farm whiteboards, notepads, digital maps & more to map and track from paddocks to irrigation and hazards to infrastructure!
26Ten Tasmania
Build literacy, digital literacy and numeracy skills via In-person or online tutorials. Free for up to 15 hours.
Tasmania TAFE course: Digital Workplace Essentials (TASMSS0243)
Builds confidence and understanding of how to use a range of communication tools, such as email and video conferencing. Learn about the basics of cloud computing (using a platform to write documents, spreadsheets and presentations). RTO 60142
Tas Farm Hub YouTube Channel
Shares case studies and examples showing how everyday Tasmanian ag businesses have implemented tech
4. Seek support and consider collaborating with others Show Resources
It’s important to understand your support networks as new technologies can introduce new risks if not understood properly or if systems fail.
Check what training, tutorials and technical support your provider offers, including whether local or regional support is available for hardware‑based solutions. Many providers also offer digital support channels such as apps, live chat or online user communities.
Collaborating with other farmers and industry groups can provide valuable insights, reduce risk and build confidence. Peer learning groups and collective trials are effective ways to share experiences and learn before scaling up.
Tas Farm Innovation Hub
Access a range of programs and network to increase farmers’ access to knowledge and adoption of practices that ensure financial, social and environmental resilience to climate change and variability.
Farms of the Future Education Program
The three pilot farms provided an opportunity to test technology options in partnership with farms and communities, providing a place for producers to experience Agtech working on site in commercial farming environments.
Explore more online courses
A range of free courses on digital skills, from using Microsoft Word and setting up email, learning about smart homes to using the cloud.
Local Library or Community Resource Centre
Free in-person or online tutorials on programs focused on internet, mobile and email use, eSafety, connectiong with others and social media.
Rural DCs
Various training programs being offered across RDCs including case studies, innovation workshops, field days, conferences and video resources.
Farmer’s Ultimate Freedom Checklist (EnableAg)
Free resource that takes you through essential steps to create more time, achieve better work-life balance, and reclaim your freedom.
AgriFutures GrowAG
Search AgriFutures growAG is an online platform for agrifood innovation. Explore, find and connect with expertise, research and investment opportunities from Australia and around the world in one, easy to use location.
Farms of the Future AgTech Education Program
A free training program (online and in-person) designed to build farmers’ digital literacy and help identify, select, and integrate AgTech solutions that suit their business needs.
VinØ Program
Helps measure, improve and report on the management practices of Tasmanian wine producers across the island. Explore how wine growers are supported to produce very high-quality wine, without negative impacts on the environment or local community and learn how principles can apply to wider agricultural operations.
Farmers2Founders Tekfarms program
Explore their program that supports ag advisors or farmers with Ag Tech understanding to successful adoption.
5. Explore a small-scale trial Show Resources
Exploring a small-scale trial on your property or on a fellow producer's allows you to see the technology tried and tested before investing your time and money in it. This minimises risks that come with adopting new solutions. Also check and ensure that the different technologies you are using are able to work together.
When testing, check warranties and support options for technology reliability and service support guarantees. Small failures can sometimes require full unit replacements, and it's important to know if you are covered in the case of issues.
Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture (TIA) Farms
Explore TIA's demonstration farms, focused on vegetables (Fourthside) and dairy (Elliot) in the North West. Explore trial resources and stay tuned for field day events so you can learn about what tech they've adopted on farm and see them in use.
Simple but effective technologies at TIA’s research farms demonstrate how on-farm modernisation can support growers to make practical day to day decisions.
Tas Farm Innovation Hub Events
Check to see if there are any upcoming agtech trials or workshops coming near you.
SFS Hagley Trial Site
The SFS Hagley field research site dedicated to assisting Tasmanian grain growers in their quest to achieve higher yields of quality feed grains. Explore the Carbon Farming Outreach Program and AgriSpark Project – Focusing on supporting young agronomists with safe to fail trial plots. Contact Brett if you're interested in stopping past.
Brett Davey - Manager Tasmania
0419 115 208
bdavey@sfs.org.au
The Quoin
The Quoin aims to be a gathering place for landowners, farmers, First Peoples, scientists, and technologists. Explore their conservation and nature positive projects in the Tasmanian Midlands to learn how you could integrate, de-risk, validate, and refine long-term regenerative practices on your own farm property.
Producer Led Trials - A guide for winegrape producers and service providers
The guide contains four learning modules with step-by-step instructions, resources and case studies from multiple states in Australia on how to conduct simple and informative in-vineyard trials. Key tips and ideas can also be applied to support producer led trials in broader farming systems.
6. Understand Artificial Intelligence (AI) Show Resources
Smart searching with Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems is driven by Large Language Models (LLMs). These models are hosted in various platforms - e.g. ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, CoPilot, Grok, Perplexity, and can be a powerful on-farm problem-solving tool when used properly.
AI can help identify, source technologies and resolve challenges experienced on farm, including:
- Where and how to implement potential tech to solve on-farm challenges,
- Compare agtech and calculate ROI,
- Develop a step-by-step integration plan and staff procedure,
- Support data analysis and interpretation,
- Troubleshoot any issues with adopted technology.
Note! Assess which AI model suits you best. Remember to consider your data privacy and look for tips on prompt engineering to ensure you get the right information and minimise GenAI model errors.
AI - Definition and Information
Read this AI overview to understand how AI systems work. It explains key concepts and application so you can evaluate agtech tools confidently and make better choices when adopting automation, analytics, or AI-driven platforms.
About AI in Agriculture
Read how AI innovations are supporting Australian farmers and understand practical use cases and opportunities on-farm.
AI LLM Model Comparison
A free website to compare different AI models, their subscription costs and performance depending on specific use cases.
Data Security Comparison Chart
Compare the different data privacy policies of key AI chatbots.
Prompt Engineering Support
Master prompt engineering fundamentals with this comprehensive beginner's guide. Learn to create effective AI prompts, avoid common mistakes, and get better results from online chatbots. This is critical to reduce the chance of false information and ensure you gain the most accurate support.