The Code of Practice for Agricultural Mobile Field Machinery with Autonomous Functions in Australia presents an opportunity for industry to own and lead the adoption of this technology in a safe and effective manner. 

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The Code of Practice has been developed with input from grain producers throughout Australia with manufacturer support and technical input from Australia, the US and the EU. It is an exciting and proactive initiative that is designed to enable future access to a rapidly emerging technology that will deliver productivity gains for growers and the industry. 

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The Code is designed to guide on:

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• Mobile machinery with semi-autonomous and autonomous functions used in agriculture field operations.

• Developing and evaluating safe work procedures for use of such machinery.

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Examples of such machinery used in grain farming operations include planting, spraying, fertilising and harvest operations.

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Grain Producers Australia, the Tractor and Machinery Association of Australia and the Society of Precision Agriculture Australia have worked together to develop the Code of Practice for Agricultural Mobile Field Machinery with Autonomous Functions in Australia.

 

Feedback from discussions with state governments seeking formal adoption indicates the best approach is to give industry ownership of the Code as the adopters and users of this technology. 

The three industry groups have now launched a new program with a three-year partnership that will support the Code’s implementation as one owned and driven by industry, to achieve common goals. 

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The joint project between GPA, SPAA and TMA, and drafting and writing the Code has been led by farm technology expert Dr Rohan Rainbow. It was developed with input from the Western Australian Department of Mines and Petroleum using the “Safe mobile autonomous mining in Western Australia – Code of Practice” as an initial discussion template for its development. 

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For further information please visit the following links:

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