Australian grain growers are being asked to help steer the future of on-farm automation, with Grain Producers Australia (GPA) launching its 2025 Autonomous Farm Machinery Survey to capture how producers are using, testing, and planning for autonomous equipment in the paddock. 

The national survey aims to ensure farmers own and lead the discussion on automation and robotics, shaping the policies, safety frameworks and investment priorities that will determine how these tools are adopted across the grains industry. 

Last year’s inaugural survey drew strong participation from growers across all major grain-growing regions. 

The 2024 survey results showed clear enthusiasm for automation’s potential to boost labour efficiency, safety and precision, but also highlighted challenges such as limited connectivity, high costs, uncertainty about safety responsibilities and gaps in service support.

These findings have shaped this year’s questions, which look at what has changed and what support growers still need. 

The survey builds on GPA’s ongoing work to support grower-led adoption of new technology through the Code of Practice for Agricultural Mobile Field Machinery with Autonomous Functions in Australia. 

GPA’s program ensures practical adoption and industry ownership. It is designed to help farmers gain real benefits from automation that fit Australian conditions rather than overseas models or one-size-fits-all regulation. 

HOW: Online survey LINK. The survey closes at midnight on November 28.