More than 200 students from around the state have learnt about the way technology is being used in agriculture at the third annual Drone versus Dog Trials.
The event, held at the Muresk Institite on Wednesday, exposed students from 11 secondary schools to the agriculture industry and the career opportunities it provides.
St Mark's Anglican Community School student Michael Morris took out the day's activities, winning a DJI Spark Drone for his school.
Michael beat the other student pilots with a time of 15.61 seconds with Border Collie x Kelpie Jay, caming up short with a time of 25.97 seconds.
This is the first win for St Mark's Anglican Community School who travelled from Hillarys to take part in the competition.
Students also toured the Muresk farm learning about the Smart Farm technology used to manage its operations.
Department of Training and Workforce Development director general Anne Driscoll said Drone versus Dog challenges the perceptions of careers in agriculture.
"With more farmers using technology and with free trade agreements and emerging markets creating growth, it is an exciting time to be in agriculture," she said.
Last year Australian farms generated $60 billion with projected growth to $100 billion by 2030.
HAgricultural Region MP Laurie Graham said the McGowan Government is committed to the agriculture sector and understands the importance of growing agricultural skills in the State.
"The industry offers an opportunity to diversify and strengthen the Western Australian economy," he said.
Muresk Institute works closely with training providers to provide Western Australians with the skills and knowledge required to excel in the modern agricultural sector through a wide range of nationally accredited courses.
Local schools that participated in the Drone versus Dog trials were York District High School and Edmund Rice College Bindoon.
