Author: CJ Baldry Adams - Business Operations and Systems Manager - Vantage NSW

Turning ‘What if?’ into ‘Hell yes.’ One system at a time. I turn chaos into process, wild ideas into strong strategy, and vision into legacy that actually lasts.

‍

A few months ago, I joined Vantage NSW as Business Operations and Systems Manager, bringing with me deep expertise in governance, compliance, and conformance across high risk industries including systems design, operational analysis, and strategic implementation. In doing this I have partnered in with Managing Director Michael Casey to strengthen governance, compliance, and capability across the business. Mick has a high appetite for analysis and doing it right or doing it better, and as I often say:

“Governance isn’t just a safety net it’s a strategic enabler. In high-risk industries like agriculture, it’s what transforms uncertainty into opportunity, and innovation into impact.”

It didn’t take long to see where the next big leap in agriculture was coming from: autonomy.

Autonomous and semi-autonomous machinery is no longer just innovation in theory it’s boots-on-the-ground reality. Growers, contractors, and technicians are increasingly engaging with this technology, seeking not just functionality, but trust, safety, and clarity.

From my first day, Mick and I aligned on a shared mission: if Vantage NSW was going to lead in this space, we needed to go beyond sales and support. Vantage NSW was already out front asking the hard questions, advocating for farmers, and doing what others in the space were not willing to do. Together, we have taken this further by developing and embedding both internal- and external-facing governance systems, including policies, procedures, and training packages. These tools ensure that our staff, partners, and customers remain compliant, informed, and ready to mitigate risks as we walk the journey from entry-level autonomy through to full-scale autonomous solutions in agricultural operations.

‍

‍

From Paddock to Policy

This collaboration has taken me deep into the fast-evolving world of agricultural autonomy a space buzzing with innovation, interest, and opportunity. Growers and operators are leaning in hard. Autonomous solutions are no longer future-forward; they’re here, rolling out in real time.

But with progress comes responsibility. And as autonomous machinery hits the field, serious governance questions rise with it:

Who owns the data?

• Where is it stored, and who gets to use it?
• What are the safety implications when no one's behind the wheel?

At Vantage NSW, we’ve tackled these questions head-on, developing a full suite of tools to lead the conversation and ensure no one is left behind as the industry transforms:

• Autonomous Machinery Safety & Compliance Policy
• Implementation Procedure aligned with the 2021 Code of Practice
• Company Handbook for Safe Operation of Agricultural Mobile Field Machinery

These aren’t shelf documents. They are working frameworks built to guide real people, doing real work, in real paddocks and they speak to a fundamental truth:

“Autonomy doesn’t remove responsibility. It reshapes it.”

And that reshaping must include dealers, distributors, and service partners. These middle-tier players are not just equipment suppliers they’re gatekeepers to knowledge, training, and safe implementation. Every unit sold must come bundled with an education pathway: one that ensures farms stay intact, operators stay informed, and people get home safely.

‍

‍

That duty of care is real. It’s evident in every conversation with our clients, the growers who feed and clothe this country, who want to do things better, safer, smarter, but aren’t always sure where to start with ag-tech.

That’s where we step in not as dealers, but as stewards.

“We remain committed to continuous learning and industry stewardship, while recognising our duty of care to Australian farmers, communities, and the environment.” - Michael Casey , Managing Director, Vantage NSW

Autonomy isn’t the end of the story. It’s the next chapter.

We are writing it at Vantage NSW with integrity, transparency, and all stakeholders at the table.

‍

CJ Baldry Adams - Business Operations and Systems Manager - Vantage NSW

‍