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the australian farmer
drop of rain, and every litre of chemical delivers maximum value. Whether it’s a three-centimetre overlap saved through RTK, fertiliser placed exactly where it’s needed, or autonomous sprayers running through the night, each decision is about extracting maximum efficiency from every operation. Each decision is made carefully, but once adopted, the technology stays. “Farming’s been done the same way for generations,” Tom said. “Every new piece of tech forces you to look inward and outward — it’s al- ways a bit scary. But if you don’t take the concept on and make it part of your system, it’s not going to be effective anyway.” The return on investment might not always ap- pear immediately, but the goal is clear — if it works effectively, it should be no more effort for more re- sult. “We’re not here to make up the numbers just to have the tech; it’s got to pay its way to be here,” Tom said. From RTK to robotics, every decision has been grounded in purpose — solving a real problem, improving consistency, and freeing people to focus on the work that matters most. “Some people think autonomy means losing that hands-on side of driv- ing machinery,” Tom said. “But I see it differently — it just gives you more tools to do a better job of what you’re already doing.” For the Coggans, automation isn’t the future ar- riving overnight. It’s the next step in a long trad- ition of progress — one that keeps them farming smarter, not harder.
Automation, in other words, isn’t about novelty; it’s about removing friction from proven systems. Mindset and method Across all technologies, the Coggans have learned adoption isn’t about speed, but strategy. The suc- cess of any system still depends on seasonal condi- tions, and no amount of technology can make it rain. “The biggest problem we have in Australian agri- culture is rainfall,” Tom said. “You can do all this special science and madness, but without rain you won’t see the results.” For the Coggans, the solution is to make the most of every opportunity when conditions align. Precision systems help ensure every pass, every
Shannon Beattie is Founder and Managing Director of Bush & Beyond Media. With a focus on agriculture and primary industries, Shannon shapes narratives that con- nect with farmers, industry and region- al communities.
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