News & info at Emmetts

Emmetts and Longerenong College Announce Partnership to Bring Modern Farming Technology to Students

21 September 2026

Emmetts and Longerenong College have launched a strategic partnership giving agriculture students practical experience with John Deere machinery, precision agriculture, connected farming and John Deere Operations Center™.

Longerenong College students will gain greater access to modern agricultural machinery, connected farming systems and precision agriculture technology through a new strategic partnership with Emmetts.

The partnership brings together Longerenong College's agricultural education, commercial farming, precision agriculture and Data Farm capabilities with Emmetts' machinery, technology and industry experience.

At its heart is a simple goal: give the next generation of agricultural professionals more opportunities to put what they learn into practice using the machinery, technology and systems increasingly found in modern farming businesses.

Learning with the Technology Used in Modern Agriculture

For students preparing to enter agriculture, understanding machinery and technology in theory is only part of the picture. Seeing how connected machinery, precision agriculture and farm data come together in a commercial farming operation is where that knowledge becomes practical.

Through the partnership, students will have more opportunities to put that knowledge into practice across Longerenong College's commercial farming operation and 1,070-hectare Data Farm.

Emmetts Chief Operating Officer Stuart Milliken said developing people who understand both agriculture and technology was increasingly important for farming businesses and the wider industry.

“Technology, data, and connectivity are becoming an important part of how farmers operate their businesses. Understanding the technology is one thing; having the opportunity to use it in a real farming environment and see how it supports better decisions is another,” Mr Milliken said.

“Longerenong College has a strong history of developing people for Australian agriculture. Bringing together their education expertise with our machinery, technology, and industry experience gives students the opportunity to build practical skills they can take into the workforce.”

Bringing Modern Machinery into Harvest

One of the most visible parts of the partnership will take place during Longerenong College's annual grain harvest. Emmetts will provide the College with a John Deere combine harvester, front and Coolamon chaser bin for use and demonstration during harvest.

For students, it means seeing how modern harvest machinery operates as part of a complete farming system and gaining practical experience with equipment they may encounter during their future careers.

Longerenong College General Manager Denise McLellan said access to current machinery and technology would further strengthen the College's practical learning experience, particularly during harvest.

“Everything we do at Longerenong College is focused on preparing students for successful careers in agriculture, and partnerships like this play an important role in that journey. Access to the latest machinery, advanced technology, and industry expertise gives them the opportunity to put their learning into practice and understand how these tools are being used on farms today,” Ms McLellan said.

“Longerenong College has a strong foundation in commercial farming, precision agriculture, and digital technologies, and we are now very fortunate to have access to state-of-the-art John Deere machinery through our partnership with Emmetts. This will be a fantastic opportunity for students and will further strengthen the practical learning experience, particularly during harvest.”

Connecting the 1,070-Hectare Data Farm

The partnership extends well beyond machinery. John Deere Operations Center™ will be integrated across Longerenong College's 1,070-hectare Data Farm, adding to the College's existing connected farming, precision agriculture and farm data capabilities.

Operations Center brings machine and agronomic information together digitally, allowing students to see how information generated in the paddock can be turned into insights that support farm management and decision-making.

For students entering an industry where machinery, agronomy and data are becoming increasingly connected, understanding how those elements work together will be an important skill.

Creating More Pathways into Agriculture

The partnership will also create opportunities beyond the Data Farm and harvest. Over time, Emmetts and Longerenong College will work together across technology demonstrations, industry engagement, student placements, work experience, internships and career pathways.

This will allow Emmetts employees to share practical knowledge and experience while giving students greater exposure to the breadth of careers across modern agriculture — from farming itself to agricultural technology, machinery, data, technical support and precision agriculture.

Investing in the Future of Australian Agriculture

Longerenong College has been developing agricultural professionals for more than 137 years, while Emmetts has supported Australian farmers and producers since 1957. The new partnership brings those histories together with a shared focus on what comes next.

Emmetts has been recognised as Longerenong College's preferred strategic machinery and precision agriculture partner, reflecting a commitment from both organisations to practical education, innovation and stronger connections between students and industry.

For Emmetts, the partnership is ultimately about more than putting machinery on a college farm. It's about helping students understand how modern agricultural businesses bring machinery, technology and data together — and giving them practical experience they can take with them into the workforce.

More News from Emmetts
21 September 2026
Emmetts and Longerenong College Announce Partnership to Bring Modern Farming Technology to Students

Emmetts and Longerenong College have launched a strategic partnership giving agriculture students practical experience with John Deere machinery, precision agriculture, connected farming and John Deere Operations Center™. Longerenong College students will gain greater access to modern agricultural machinery, connected farming systems and precision agriculture technology through a new strategic partnership with Emmetts. The partnership brings […]

Read More
18 September 2026
How Connected Machinery Is Helping Barden Farms Cut Costs and Downtime

For one of Australia's major vegetable producers, a tractor sitting idle isn't simply standing still. It's costing the business money. Barden Farms is using John Deere Operations Center™, AutoTrac™ and connected machinery data to better understand machine utilisation, plan servicing, reduce downtime and keep a complex farming operation moving. Timing matters in every farming business, […]

Read More
4 September 2026
Kyle Burns Named 2026 John Deere Service Apprentice of the Year

Kyle Burns has been named the 2026 Australian & New Zealand Service Apprentice of the Year, with five Emmetts team members recognised as finalists at this year’s John Deere Technician of the Year Awards. Kyle Burns, of Emmetts in Horsham, has been named the 2026 Australian & New Zealand Service Apprentice of the Year at […]

Read More
19 August 2026
The Emmetts Guide to Getting More from Your Property

Part 1: Which Compact Utility Tractor Is Right for Your Property? Choosing the right compact utility tractor isn't about buying the biggest machine or comparing horsepower. It's about understanding your property, the work you want to accomplish, and where you see your property in the years ahead. In this guide, we'll help you understand what […]

Read More
6 August 2026
See the Latest John Deere Machinery at the Eyre Peninsula Field Days

The Eyre Peninsula Field Days are one of the biggest events on the South Australian agricultural calendar, bringing together growers, machinery, and industry experts from across the region. This year, the Emmetts team will be showcasing some of John Deere's latest machinery and technology, giving visitors the opportunity to see equipment up close, ask questions, […]

Read More
28 July 2026
Get More from Every Hectare with John Deere Operations Center™ 

You've invested in the machinery. Now invest a few hours learning John Deere Operations Center and discover how to turn the data your machines collect into practical insights that help you make more informed decisions throughout the season. Register here to be invited to our upcoming sessions.  Modern farm machinery generates more information than ever before. Every paddock worked, every hectare sprayed, every load harvested, and […]

Read More
14 July 2026
How Does JDLink™ Help Me Spend Less Time Managing Machinery (and More Time Farming)?

A typical day during seeding or harvest can involve dozens of small interruptions. "Where's the sprayer?""Has that paddock been finished?""Why has the tractor been idling for so long?""Can someone send me the engine hours?""Has anyone checked that warning light?" Individually, these questions don't seem like much. Together, they steal valuable time from every day. Modern […]

Read More
8 July 2026
Can John Deere See & Spray Save Money Beyond Summer Fallow? 

One of the most common questions our Precision Ag Specialists hear is whether John Deere See & Spray™ Select is only valuable during summer fallow spraying. To find out, Emmetts worked with a customer to put the technology to the test during lentil desiccation and the results may surprise you.  When most growers think about John Deere See […]

Read More
23 June 2026
Green-on-Green Seeding Shows Its Value

Can precision technology make seeding simpler rather than more complex? During the 2026 seeding season, Emmetts put John Deere's fully integrated green-on-green seeding system to the test across a range of paddock conditions. The results demonstrated strong accuracy, consistent performance, and reduced operator workload throughout the program. John Deere's fully integrated green-on-green seeding system is […]

Read More
22 June 2026
Five Emmetts Team Members Named Finalists in 2026 John Deere Technician of the Year Awards

Five Emmetts team members have been recognised among Australia and New Zealand's best technicians and apprentices, earning finalist positions in the 2026 John Deere Technician of the Year Awards. The achievement highlights the depth of technical expertise, customer commitment, and emerging talent across Emmetts' South Australian and Victorian branch network. Emmetts is proud to announce […]

Read More
15 June 2026
John Deere Expands Harvest Capacity with New 60-Foot Draper Fronts

John Deere has expanded its harvesting line-up with new 60-foot draper platforms and significant updates to the X9 combine range, giving Australian growers access to greater harvesting capacity, improved automation, and increased efficiency during critical harvest windows. John Deere has announced the introduction of new 60-foot HDR and HDF Draper Platforms, providing broadacre growers with […]

Read More
22 April 2026
Looking for a Lower-Cost Repair Option? John Deere Reman Parts Could Be the Answer

With machinery operating costs under constant pressure, more growers are looking for ways to reduce repair expenses without compromising reliability. John Deere Reman parts offer a cost-effective alternative to new components, backed by genuine John Deere quality, warranty support, and the expertise of the Emmetts parts and service teams. When major components fail, the decision […]

Read More
26 February 2026
New John Deere 8 Series Tractors Deliver More Power, Precision and Productivity

John Deere has expanded its popular 8 Series tractor range with new high-horsepower models and enhanced precision agriculture capabilities, giving growers access to more power, greater versatility, and advanced automation technologies designed to improve productivity across seeding, tillage, spraying, and transport operations. As farm businesses continue to expand and operational windows become increasingly compressed, growers […]

Read More
25 February 2026
New Seeding Technology Aims to Improve Crop Establishment and Yield Potential

As input costs continue to rise, getting every seed off to the best possible start has never been more important. John Deere's latest seeding and precision agriculture technologies are designed to improve seed placement, nutrient availability, and emergence consistency, helping growers maximise the return on every hectare. For grain growers across South Australia and western […]

Read More
25 February 2026
Smarter Spraying: New See & Spray Updates for 2027

John Deere has announced significant updates to its Model Year 2027 sprayer range, including the next generation of See & Spray™ technology, expanded in-crop weed detection capabilities, and new automation features designed to help growers reduce input costs, improve application accuracy, and make better use of increasingly tight spray windows. As chemical costs continue to […]

Read More
28 August 2023
Emmetts Acquires Pringles Crouch

Emmetts Furthers Its Commitment to the Agricultural Sector in South Australia Horsham, VIC (28 August 2023)—Emmetts, one of Australia’s leading family-owned John Deere agriculture equipment dealer groups, has acquired Pringles Crouch, a John Deere dealer group with four branches in the Eyre Peninsula and Mid-North regions of South Australia. The acquisition is expected to bring […]

Read More
17 June 2023
Bredal Spreaders

Featuring section control, weigh cells, stainless steel construction, full hydraulic drive and accuracy that has been proven time and time again the Bredal F4RF three point linkage machine is in stock now for immediate delivery! Give your local Emmett’s branch a call.#stayingpower

Read More
8 June 2023
Thinking about a new John Deere 100 series ride on but not sure which model suits you best?

John Deere 100 series ride on mower series overview Thinking about a new John Deere 100 series ride on but not sure which model suits you best? Our group inventory manager Joel Fowler takes us over all 5 models, highlighting the features and differences as we move through the range. Starting from $4,799 and in stock […]

Read More
1 June 2023
The Stihl iMOW landed in Roseworthy!

The team set up this robotic mower to take care of the garden area outside the store. It’s so easy, and there here are no clippings to collect because it mulches as it mows. When it’s done or the battery needs charging, it automatically returns to the docking station. As a STIHL Dealer, we can […]

Read More
21 May 2023
John Deere MY24 616R self propelled sprayer walk around

Join our group inventory manager Joel Fowler for a walk around on the John Deere 616R self propelled sprayers, MY24 sprayer ordering is now open so there has never been a better time to check them out! We also take a quick look at some 8R tractors and Bredal K135XESC spreader! #stayingpower

Read More
30 November 2022
John Deere Technicians of the Year gear up for harvest season

It’s a busy time of year, as Emmetts service teams work hard to support customers throughout harvest. Both John Deere and Emmetts invest heavily in training and supporting technicians to equip them with the necessary skills to provide vital backup to customers, and ensure operators are getting the best possible performance from their equipment. The […]

Read More
21 December 2021
Emmetts now offering Weed-It precision spraying technology

The Weed-It system was originally developed in the Netherlands, with the purpose of killing pavement weeds. Its benefits were soon recognised in agricultural applications, and the spot spraying technology was brought to Australia over a decade ago. Emmetts have partnered with Rometron Australia to offer customers Weed-It spot spraying technology. The Weed-It sensors are fitted […]

Read More
9 August 2021
Emmetts adds Bredal Australia spreaders to its product line up

Emmetts is pleased to offer the entire range of Bredal spreaders in all branches across western Victoria and South Australia. As well as machinery, Emmetts will also be providing parts and service support to customers in these areas. Bredal is a family owned and operated business located in Vejle, Denmark. Bredal Australia have been the […]

Read More
9 February 2021
Introducing Emmetts Irrigation: Emmetts Expands to Take on Valley Irrigation

Peter Emmett, Managing Director of Emmetts, is pleased to announce the launch of Emmetts Irrigation. "Valley Irrigation, owned by Valmont, is a global leader in centre pivot and lateral irrigation systems. They approached Emmetts to be a dealer for their full line of products, due to Emmetts' scale, staff expertise in agriculture and ability to […]

Read More
We want to make owning and operating your equipment simple and affordable. 
We have a range of finance options to suit any customer.  Contact your local Emmetts branch, or visit these sites for more information and a free quote.
emmetts finance logo
linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram