AgriFutures Australia

Australia’s honey bee industry contributes over $14 billion annually to agriculture however the incursion of Varroa destructor and other exotic honey bee mites pose a significant threat to the industry and the essential pollination services they provide. As we transition from eradication to the management of Varroa mite, advanced detection and monitoring technologies will be key. 🐝 Our friends at Hort Innovation, CSIRO, and Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade are seeking advanced solutions for detecting and monitoring mites (varroa, tracheal, and tropilaelaps). This will be part of a comprehensive evaluation of technologies via field testing in Australia. Do you have a solution that they mite be looking for? Head to the AgriFutures growAG website to find out more https://bit.ly/4iUofM6.

🎊 🌞 More exciting #RuralWomensAward news, this time from the Sunshine State - congratulations to Nicole McNaughton, our 2025 QLD Rural Women's Award State Winner! Nicole will receive a $15,000 grant from our Platinum Sponsor Westpac to support her work as the CEO of Food Agribusiness Network (FAN), along with the opportunity to participate in a professional development course of her choice. She accepted the Award yesterday at a ceremony presented by the Hon. Tony Perrett MP, Minister for Primary Industries. She will go on to represent Queensland at the AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award Gala Dinner and National Announcement in Canberra, where the National Winner will receive an additional $20,000 #Westpac grant and the National Runner Up, $15,000. Join us in congratulating Nicole and our incredible state finalists Angie Nisbet and Libby Cook-Black! 👏 More about Nicole and the Award 👉 https://bit.ly/41HWO12

Industry representatives, government and a consortium of industry experts are collaborating to co-design a shared vision and roadmap for guiding the energy transition for Australia’s agriculture, fisheries and forestry sectors. This project builds upon foundational work from The Diesel Transition: Petroleum diesel alternatives for the Australian agriculture, fisheries and forestry sector. The co-design process is an essential step in ensuring the agriculture sector can transition to alternative energy sources in a way that is practical, sustainable and aligned with industry needs 🔗 Read more about the project here

We're excited for you to meet our final group of 2025 #RuralWomensAward State Finalists - three incredible women from the Northern Territory! 🤩 👩💼💼 Barbara Clifford, from a fifth-generation farming family, has extensive experience in professional development and regional leadership. As the Director of The Hinwood Institute, she runs a leadership program called S.H.E.R.O.E.S (Supporting Her Empowerment in Regional and Outback Environments), tackling professional isolation. 🧘⚕️ Kristy Hollis, a naturopath, herbalist, and entrepreneur, champions rural health in the NT as the current President of the Complementary Medicine Association. Her project, Women’s Business, empowers rural women through health education, collaboration, and community-building, promoting holistic healing across regional Australia. 💻🚢 Nicole Walsh, a leader with 20+ years in marketing, events, and policy, is Head of Programs at the Council of Small Business Organisations Australia (COSBOA). Her NEAT Project (Northern Enterprises Accelerating Trade) boosts NT business export readiness and establishes a digital marketplace for NT products. Join us in congratulating these amazing women and their achievements! 🎉 #RWA2025

Hemp is a versatile plant with the potential to address key challenges like food security, waste management, and climate change. As interest in industrial hemp grows, new research and investment are opening up exciting opportunities. In the latest episode of the AgriFutures on Air SEEDED podcast series, industry leaders share insights on how hemp can play a role in creating more sustainable solutions https://spoti.fi/4kH4s4o Don’t miss the final episode, available Friday, 4th April 🎧 Follow AgriFutures Australia to learn more about the future of hemp and its impact on sustainable agriculture.

Applications are now open for the Les Young Scholarship 🏇 Are you a young professional in the thoroughbred horse breeding industry looking to enhance your career? This prestigious scholarship offers a unique opportunity to undertake an international course at The National Stud in the UK and boost your career. Named in honour of Les Young, a respected figure in the thoroughbred industry, this scholarship continues his legacy of mentorship and talent development. Learn more and apply for the Les Young Scholarship here https://lnkd.in/gUrBu8cz

👏🎉 Join us in congratulating Sarah De Jonge, the winner of the 2025 TAS AgriFutures #RuralWomensAward! Thanks to our Platinum Sponsor Westpac, Sarah will receive a $15,000 grant to expand the reach of her not-for-profit 1000 Hearts (along with a professional development course of her choice) ensuring more people in need, particularly those in hospitals, aged care facilities, crisis centres and schools can benefit from this act of kindness, comfort, hope and connection.💕 She accepted the Award last night at a ceremony presented by the Hon. Jane Howlett MP, Minister for Primary Industries and Water. She will go on to represent Tasmania at the AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award Gala Dinner and National Announcement in Canberra, where the National Winner will receive an additional $20,000 #Westpac grant and the National Runner Up, $15,000. 👏 A huge congratulations to Sarah and our incredible Tasmanian state finalists Christina Giudici, Filipa Bellette and Toni Coward! More about Sarah and the Rural Women's Award 👉 https://bit.ly/3DR50E2

Have you registered for the March AgriFutures #ChickenMeat Program Extension Webinar? 🐔 The webinar will feature two programs from the Chicken Nutrition, Gut Health and Environment Project. This project brings together poultry industry partners and leading research providers to investigate how chicken meat producers can use nutrition to optimise gut health, animal welfare, and sustainability outcomes. 🔬 Program One Professor Eugeni Roura from The University of Queensland is exploring ways to influence nutrition in parent birds to improve health and production outcomes in future generations. 🔬 Program Two Emeritus Professor Mike Gidley from the University of Queensland is examining methods to improve the digestibility of locally grown high-protein feed grains, aiming to reduce the industry’s reliance on imported soybean. 🗓️ Tuesday, 25 March 2025 ⏰ 2pm-3pm AEDT 💻 Join via Zoom 🔗 Register here https://lnkd.in/gPJhtKiw We look forward to seeing you online!

Are you eager to contribute to the future of the Australian #rice industry? Applications are closing soon for the #AgriFutures Rice RD&E Panel. 🌾 We are looking for growers, agronomists, researchers, and independent candidates with a connection to the rice or other relevant agricultural industries. As a member of the Rice RD&E Panel, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of rice RD&E, including the development of the next Rice Program RD&E Plan. Key responsibilities: ✔️ Offer independent guidance and advice on RD&E needs and investments. ✔️ Contribute to the development of the next Rice Program RD&E Plan. ✔️ Collaborate with fellow panel members to ensure the success of the #Ausrice industry. ✔️ Advise on new, developing, and established rice industry conditions or national rural issues and associated research, development, and extension needs. Find out more and apply 👉 https://bit.ly/41RwyRA Applications close on Thursday 20 March 2025, at 12 noon AEDT. Ricegrowers’ Association of Australia Rice Breeding Australia (Ltd)

If you’re looking to be involved in Australia’s new and emerging rural industries, this is your chance! 🛠️ We have an opportunity for new industry members to join the AgriFutures Emerging Industries Technical Advisory Group. This role involves providing feedback and assessment of stakeholder RD&E ideas and applications, as well as technically assessing project outputs where required. Find out more about this opportunity 👉 https://bit.ly/3Fg7j40 Expressions of interest close 4pm (AEDT) on Monday 31 March 2025.