About the project

Accelerating adoption through grower-led innovation.

The Next Generation Weed Management project is a 5 year co-designed project, conducting structured trials of advanced robotics and AI weed control technologies across commercial farms in Queensland and Victoria.

We are working directly with growers to understand what these technologies can do, and how to make them work at scale in Australian horticulture.

Accelerating adoption through grower-led innovation.

The Next Generation Weed Management project is a 5 year co-designed project, conducting structured trials of advanced robotics and AI weed control technologies across commercial farms in Queensland and Victoria.

We are working directly with growers to understand what these technologies can do, and how to make them work at scale in Australian horticulture.

An independent voice in a fast-moving space.

Robotics and AI weed management technologies are evolving quickly. New machines, new capabilities, and new claims are emerging with increasing frequency.

For growers, this can make investment decisions harder, not easier. Knowing what to invest in, and when, requires evidence that keeps pace with the technology.

That is what this project is building. An independent, ongoing source of grower-relevant evidence to help navigate an increasingly fast-moving field.

Our commitment to growers is to provide evidence they can trust, numbers they can use, and a clear path to follow.

Co-designed by growers for growers

We've built this project with growers, not just for growers.

Growers have shaped what we test and how we measure success, keeping the project focused on where automation matters most.

Collaboration is part of the project design, ensuring our results are credible, practical, and grounded in real Australian farm conditions.

View trial sites

Testing on Australian soils.

Learn about the trials

Delivering for growers in everything we do.

  • Assess available technology for Australian conditions

    Many AI enabled weed control technologies have been developed and tested overseas. This project will assess their performance and usability under Australian conditions, helping identify what works, where adaptations are needed, and reducing the risks and costs associated with adoption.

  • Independent, evidence-based evaluations

    Much of the existing evidence on robotic weed control technologies comes from manufacturers and suppliers. This project will provide independent, evidence based evaluation to measure performance, demonstrate real world benefits, and help growers better understand return on investment and risk.

  • Sustainable weed management

    Explore new approaches to sustainable weed management that reduce chemical use, including AI supported targeted spraying and emerging technologies such as laser weeders.

  • Combat rising labour costs

    Evaluate AI, automation, and robotic technologies to help manage weeds more efficiently and reduce labour cost pressures.

  • Support innovation in Australian agriculture

    Innovation and automation are driving improved productivity, efficiency, and outcomes across Australian farms. The project aims to help growers and the wider industry adopt new technologies with more confidence, share evidence-based insights, and unlock the full potential of modern farming practices.

  • Strengthen global competitiveness

    Helping Australian horticulture remain competitive internationally by advancing practices through technology integration, leading to higher efficiency, productivity, quality, and cost competitiveness.

Paving the pathway

Readiness

Success depends on far more than simply buying new machinery. Readiness addresses the combination of people, systems, infrastructure, and decision-making required to successfully adopt and integrate new tools into an existing farming operation.

Farm adaptation

Robotics and autonomous technologies often require changes to existing farming systems. We’re helping to identify the practical adjustments needed to successfully integrate these tools.

Evaluation

Assessing real world benefits, costs, and risks through economic studies and on farm trials. By measuring performance and ROI, the project will demonstrate the opportunities these technologies offer and help Australian growers make informed adoption decisions.

Adoption

Armed with evidence and practical knowledge, growers can approach adoption with confidence, knowing their decision is well-informed. As experience grows on farm, sharing those learnings back with the grower community helps drive further adoption across the industry.

Pave your path in the Resource Library

Funding partners

Next Generation Weed Management (BY23002) is funded through Hort Innovation Frontiers with co-investment from FarmTech Australia and Tripod Farmers and contributions from the Australian Government.