Think you’re not using much AgTech? You’d be surprised

For Aussies working in hay and silage, things are beginning to change – fast.

You might be saying, “Finally.” When innovation seemed exclusive to the grain, dairy and beef industries for many years, fodder management is now having its ‘moment’.

Technology is part of agricultural life, making the everyday tasks of managing forage more efficient, smarter, and – most importantly – sustainable. Whether it’s monitoring rain, tracking soil moisture, improving pest control, or optimising transport, AgTech is helping you make decisions based on data, not guesswork.

At its’ core, the nature of technology is to make our lives easier and what we do more efficient. And it’s no different in farming. The worldwide AgTech market was valued at USD $18.12 billion in 2021 and projected to reach USD $73 billion by 2034¹. This rate of growth is astonishing, but it makes sense. There’s unlimited potential to automate tasks with simple tech to take the grunt work (and stress) out of a traditionally intensive profession. And you know what? It could be the answer we’re looking for when we’re facing farmer burnout and labour shortages. As the population continues to grow, the world is getting hungrier, and so the demand for food increases. We simply must adopt tech so we can keep up.

We all need to be aware of what’s happening in the global AgTech landscape and understand how these tools are being used to turn challenges into opportunities. It’s about taking what we know works – like good grazing practices – and pairing it with the kind of precision only technology can offer.

Think you’re not using much in the way of tech in your operations? Take these stages and real-life examples and see whether it’s everywhere you turn.

How AgTech supports the hay and silage ecosystem

There are many critical components to growing, harvesting, storing, and transporting hay and silage. At every stage, technology is available to assist, and plenty more is being developed and, on its way, even here in Australia.

1. Rainfall monitoring: accurate data for smarter decisions

Rain is the lifeblood of fodder-based farming, but tracking its consistency and volume across large areas can be challenging. In the past, farmers had to rely on generalised weather reports or manual rain gauges, but now, with advanced monitoring technology, producers can track rainfall in real time across specific areas. This not only removes the guesswork but also gives silage producers the time and knowledge to better plan irrigation, manage water resources, and adjust grazing schedules to optimise pasture growth. This is where the term ‘precision farming’ comes into play.

Using advanced sensors, you’re now able to record rainfall across various points on the property, allowing your team to make informed decisions about water usage. This data is then entered into a centralised system where it’s accessible for quick analysis and action, whether that means adjusting water storage or irrigation strategies or planning for the next forage season.

Accurate rainfall data at your fingertips can help you avoid over- or under-watering, preserve water resources, and maintain optimal growth conditions. When weather patterns shift unexpectedly, AgTech provides the ability to adapt quickly.

2. Soil moisture: the foundation of healthy plants

Soil moisture is crucial for maintaining healthy plant growth, which in turn is essential for growing quality hay and silage. But the tricky part is, you can’t see what’s happening below the ground – so how do you know what’s going on down there?

In dry seasons, it’s vital to monitor soil moisture levels to determine when to irrigate, how much water to apply, and how long to wait before grazing or harvesting. Over-watering or under-watering can result in poor-quality forage, so having precise soil moisture readings is critical.

AgriWebb and Pasture.io are two Aussie-based examples. Their all-in-one pasture management systems integrate soil moisture data with grazing plans. Satellite imagery and ground-level data then determine the state of your soil so you can manage water and grazing levels efficiently. And it’s all managed from an app, meaning you can farm remotely.

With this technology, not only do you remove the manual labour element, but you’ll gain insights into soil conditions, enabling you to balance pasture growth with environmental sustainability. It also helps avoid over-grazing or damage to the soil, which can happen if moisture isn’t properly managed.

3. Efficient transportation: speed, safety, and sustainability

Transporting hay and silage is one of the most critical elements in the forage ecosystem. Timely delivery is essential for maintaining quality – hay, for example, needs to be delivered to the end-user or storage quickly after harvest to avoid spoilage or loss of nutritional value. Advances in AgTech are helping producers ensure that their forage gets from point A to point B as efficiently and safely as possible without compromising quality.

High temperatures not only spoil quality but also pose a spontaneous combustion risk. You might already be aware that 121 hay bale fires were recorded in FY2024 in Victoria alone².

INCYT‘s Advanced Hay Bale Monitoring System works to prevent these fires. Their system consists of 10 Lyra sensors reporting to an Antares base station. The Lyra sensors are inserted into hay bales during storage and transportation to detect temperature changes. Should the temperature inside the hay bales rise, the system generates a proactive alert on your smartphone or computer, allowing you to take the appropriate measures before disaster strikes.

This innovative monitoring system has already helped prevent several costly fires, highlighting how technology can improve transportation efficiency and safeguard the products being moved. This technology is readily available and used now – probably by the very people who transport your hay and silage.

Agricultural transport services also play a key role in reducing operational costs and improving sustainability. By optimising delivery routes with software and apps, fuel consumption can be minimised and emissions reduced, making transport more cost-effective and eco-friendly. Timely delivery, specialised equipment, and weather monitoring ensure that hay and silage arrive in optimal condition, maintaining its quality and nutritional value.

4. Pest management: protecting forage from threats

Pests are a major threat to hay and silage quality. From insects to rodents, pests can quickly destroy crops, leading to reduced yields and compromised forage. Fortunately, AgTech offers solutions to monitor, track, and manage pest populations more effectively, minimising the impact on the final product.

A growing number of farms are using integrated pest management systems, where sensors detect the presence of specific pests in real time, and farmers are alerted to take action before any damage becomes widespread. Using a combination of automated

traps, drones, and sensors, farmers can identify hot spots of pest activity and apply targeted treatments, reducing the need for broad-spectrum pesticide use. This approach not only safeguards the crops but also ensures the farm’s sustainability by reducing chemical input. And all these tools and tricks sit under the brand of AgTech.

Ultimately, these advanced monitoring systems provide farmers with data on the effectiveness of their pest control methods, helping them make informed decisions about which strategies are working and where adjustments may be needed.

Looking ahead: AgTech’s role in the future of hay and silage

So, how did you fare? Are any of these innovations currently in use in your business or on your land?

From monitoring rainfall to keeping pests in check, AgTech is changing the way farmers approach hay and silage management. These tools are helping farmers make smarter decisions – ones that boost productivity, keep things sustainable and protect their bottom line.

And in the world of forage, stay tuned because you’ll see a lot of new tech coming your way to help you fine- tune things like soil moisture, transport logistics, pest control, as well as forage quality.

Looking ahead, it’s clear that AgTech will play a crucial role in helping farmers meet future demands while staying true to the principles of good farming practices. It’s not just for grain, dairy and beef producers!

¹ Duarte, F. (2024b, November 7). Global AGTech Market Size, Growth, & Trends (2025-2034). Exploding Topics. https://explodingtopics.com/blog/agtech-market

² Hay fire season arrives early – The Weekly Advertiser. (n.d.)., https://theweeklyadvertiser.com.au/articles/hay-fire-season- arrives-early/

*Melanie Butler is a Melbourne- based freelance writer and content strategist. With a background working for some of Australia’s biggest digital brands, she now creates content for start- ups and growing businesses across various industries, with a keen interest in AI and AgTech innovations.