Harry Tyson

Turf farming a cut above in sustainability and productivity

Planting the seeds of sustainability and technology in a southern NSW turf farm could see it reach new heights for Harry Tyson.

The second-generation turf farm business, which is in the process of moving from Wagga Wagga to Narrandera, NSW, is now at the stage where automation could offer efficiency gains, while sustainability remains a key platform and focus.

His study, “Business efficiency and farming sustainability - How they both coincide in a turf farm operation”, will look for ways to improve the profitability of the sector, which is coming under increasing pressure to be viable.

Incorporating automation would make the business more efficient, and autonomous tractors are top of the wish list.  This, he says, would not only cut the cost of production, but free up labour for other tasks. He plans to visit a number of enterprises in the United States, as well as Germany and Amsterdam, where automation technology is more widespread.

He also wants consumers to understand that while real turf does use water, its environmental impact is less than fake turf, which he says will mostly end up in landfill after 10 years.

Embracing technology and sustainability, Harry said, will build on the foundations of the business set up by his father, while showcasing to industry what can be achieved.