From Inverell to the world – grain industry innovation a winner

Inverell may be known as the sapphire city, but it is also home to a manufacturing plant turning out world class technology for the world’s major grain growing regions.

BOSS Agriculture has a 30,000 square metre factory in the town and produced the Best Australian Designed and Manufactured Agricultural Machine at the 2026 Henty Machinery Field days.

Chief Executive Officer James Haarhoff accepted the Greater Hume Council sponsored award from Cr Brian Liston at The Stump at Henty on September 23.

The BOSS Agriculture AXIOM Metering Unit is a next generation electric metering system delivering unmatched accuracy, consistency and control in broadacre seeding. 

With sales, service and parts support covering every major growing region of Australia, BOSS is motivated to produce products for Australian growers to a consistently high standard.  

“This award means a lot to me personally and the company. We have around 250 to 270 employees in Australia at our manufacturing and research and development teams at Inverell,” Mr Haarhoff said. 

“Every product is designed and manufactured in Australia, so it is encouraging for us to win awards like this as it recognises there are still very capable and competent manufacturers in Australia.”

The AXIOM Metering Unit has been showcased to the industry in the eastern states and Western Australia since August.

“We did run four AXION Metering Units in a small sample of machines in the previous seeding season with very good feedback,” Mr Haarhoff said. 

The units are now being offered as an option on all BOSS new-build air carts. 

“If you place an order today for a new Gen2 air cart, and specify electric drive metering, that will be an AXIOM with the capability of running up to 16 lines with different product,” Mr Haarhoff said.

He outlined how the electric drive metering was part of the company’s plans to expand in Australia.

“We now have an air cart that suits every major growing region of the market and at least several of those regions the take-rate for electric metering will be high. 

“The Metering Units give farmers real control by integrating this technology in terms of section control, zero waste of product flexibility with being able to change easily from top and bottom lines, changing different products, and serviceability of the motors and metering units themselves.

“They offer versatility, simplicity of design and ultimately real control. Farmers are so focused on accuracy, precision and efficiency, electric metering gives them all of that with a variety of products.”

BOSS Agriculture has a world class product well supported by the Australian grain industry and is becoming known more widely beyond Inverell.

The company has products successfully operating in Canada and an air cart equipped with electric metering is soon to be added.

“International markets are not out of scope,” Mr Haarhoff said.

He confirmed BOSS Agriculture is looking to grow their site at the Henty Machinery Field Days in 2027 to showcase an expanding product range. 

“We are aware from grower feedback the activity in different regions and landscapes is changing quickly so we are adjusting to that.

“It is important for us to display and show that innovation, engineering and manufacturing prowess we believe we have in Inverell.”