CNH agriculture director Aaron Bett led a panel discussion. Image: Prime Creative Media
More than 200 delegates were at the Melbourne Cricket Ground last month for the Tractor & Machinery Association’s annual conference
The agricultural industry continued to strive to the future at the Tractor & Machinery Association’s annual conference, with presentations based around the theme of “towards 2030: gearing up”.
Held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, a venue which last hosted the TMA conference in 2017, the topics covered included everything from artificial intelligence to shipping.
Several of the speakers were TMA conference regulars, including Westpac senior economist Justin Smirk who gave an economic update, Kynetec senior manager Melinda Haley who discussed the machinery industry’s trends, and Wallenius Wilhelmsen senior vice-president logistics services Kym Buoy who provided a shipping update.
TMA executive director Gary Northover ended the day by outlining some of the areas and issues on which the association is advocating on behalf of its members.
These issues include the right to repair, non-road diesel emissions, shipping and quarantine, the autonomous vehicle code of practice, and the Australian Consumer Guarantee Guide.
Another of the day’s highlights was a panel discussion, facilitated by CNH agriculture director Aaron Bett.
The panel featured Godings director and owner Adrian Williams, Traction Ag general manager Vince Carbone, AEH Group director and owner David Thompson and Brandt director of precision technology Siobhan Lynch.
There was an agreement from all panel members regarding the shifting market from supply shortages during the Covid period to high stock levels being experienced.
“A couple of years ago maybe we held the cards a little but more, and I think now the market is definitely being driven by the consumer and you need to be agile,” Williams said.
The changing agricultural landscape was also a major discussion point, firstly around the uptake of artificial intelligence and other technologies.
Acknowledging some early adopters in both Australia and New Zealand have seen the value of advanced technology, Lynch said one challenge was to help customers across the farming spectrum to make progressive changes.
“[The challenge is] how we get the knowledge to our customers that ease them into it so they can uptake it before autonomy or AI really hits us in the face,” she said.
This conversation flowed into the topic of how increased technology would change staffing at dealership level.
Acknowledging the ongoing challenges with attracting new talent, the panel agreed that looking towards new staff members who were experts in technology will stand dealerships in good stead.
“I think you need to be open to the idea that you need to attract a different type of staff member than historically we have,” Williams said.
“All of a sudden you’re talking to electrical engineers and that sort of person which historically we wouldn’t have been targeting in our sort of business, but making sure you’re open to that is a big thing.”
Attracting staff to the agricultural industry also formed a standalone session at the TMA conference.
This was led by AgriFutures Australia’s general manager of workforce, communications and adoption Belinda Allitt.
She spoke about plans to attract new talent to the agricultural industry through an upcoming advertising campaign which aims to change misconceptions about the jobs available and perceived barriers to entering the industry.
Other presentations during the conference focused on WorkSafe Victoria’s ongoing safety goals, along with insights from the Motor Traders Association of Australia about an industry in transition.
