Helping Farmers Find Tech That Actually Works : Advisor Journey Story by Ashlee Wachtel

Hi, I’m Ashlee Wachtel, Principal Consultant at Tailored Livestock Consulting, working across the Limestone Coast of South Australia and western Victoria. My background is in independent livestock nutrition and health advice, and through the Farmers2Founders TEKFARM® AgTech Advisor Network, I’ve been helping farmers turn promising technologies into real, on-farm results.

Why I joined F2F TEKFARM

Before joining F2F TEKFARM®, my work was focused on providing independent livestock nutrition and health advice. While I had been exposed to a range of technologies in our industry, I wasn’t actively providing advice on agtech. Joining the program gave me the chance to upskill and confidently guide producers through the growing landscape of agricultural technology.

Many of these tools had the potential to save labour, boost production, and improve profitability. My goal was to build awareness and confidence so more producers could access technology that truly made a difference on their farms.

Bridging the Gap Between Producers and Suppliers

As I became involved in F2F TEKFARM®, my role shifted and evolved from watching new technologies to actively facilitating their adoption on farms. I moved into helping producers consider how a tool might fit their routines, what the real benefits and limits would be, and how to get devices up and running so they didn’t sit in the box.

I also supported suppliers by bridging the communication gap with producers.  I translated technical and commercial language into plain terms, had conversations between suppliers and producers to clarify expectations, and connected farmers with peers already using the tech so they could hear real experiences. Often a device would arrive and then sit unused; getting suppliers to offer better on-farm setup or clearer onboarding information made a big difference.

Challenges and Lessons Learned

The biggest barrier I saw was cost - not just the upfront price, but the ongoing subscription fees that quickly add up when multiple devices are needed. Producers often see the value but find it difficult to commit long-term.

What I learned is simple: adoption isn’t about the gadget. It’s about affordability, transparency, and reliable support.   Advisors play a crucial role in bridging the gap between interest and implementation, helping producers make confident, informed decisions that last.

What’s Changed and What’s Next

Seeing producers save time and make better decisions when tech is properly set up convinced me to make agtech recommendations packaged with the work I’m already doing. I have the confidence to discuss total cost of ownership, staged rollouts, and practical integration with clients. Over the next few years I’ll continue to focus on farmer-led trials, stronger supplier engagement at the farm gate, and hands-on onboarding so technology is used, not shelved.

Learn more about Ashlee’s work -  Tailored Livestock Consulting

About the F2F TEKFARM® Program

 F2F TEKFARM® is a national initiative by Farmers2Founders that connects producers, advisors, and technology suppliers to test, adopt, and scale agtech solutions. The program focuses on practical, farmer-led adoption ensuring technologies deliver measurable productivity, efficiency, and resilience benefits.

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This program/project received funding from the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund.