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Tag: Agriculture / Agtech

DEADLINE: 2026 AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award

Women with bold ideas and a drive to create positive change in rural and regional Australia are invited to apply for the 2026 AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award. Applications close on Friday, 7 November 2025, and Friday, 30 January 2026 for Northern Territory (NT) applicants.

Now in its 25th year, the Award is Australia’s leading platform for recognising and supporting the leadership of women across rural, regional and remote businesses, industries and communities. It champions those who are already making an impact and supports them to take their vision even further.

State and Territory winners each receive a $15,000 grant from Westpac to progress their project, business or program, along with access to professional development and the AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award Alumni network. The National Winner and Runner Up, announced at a Gala Dinner, will receive an additional $20,000 and $15,000 respectively.

Women with an established project, business or program that benefits rural industries, businesses or communities are encouraged to apply.

Global Robotics and Automation Technology Showcase 2025

The AARP are delighted to bring back the Global Robotics and Automation Showcase for the second year, at the Australian Automation and Robotics Precinct. Hosted as a satellite event as part of West Tech Fest 2025, this is an AARP-ORTUNITY not to be missed. More details to come.

Farming in Two Worlds: Integrating Physical and Digital Agriculture – Lecture by Prof Salah Sukkarieh

2025 Hector and Andrew Stewart Memorial Lecture by Prof Salah Sukkarieh

All members of the public are invited to attend this exclusive lecture hosted by The UWA Institute of Agriculture. It will be delivered by Salah Sukkarieh, Professor of Robotics and Intelligent Systems at the University of Sydney, and focused on ‘Farming in Two Worlds: Integrating Physical and Digital Agriculture‘ at UWA Bayliss Lecture Theatre G33.

Drawing on current research and implementation, the talk will highlight how real-time robotics in the field, Internet of Things (IoT) sensing networks, and AI-driven analytics are transforming everything from soil and water management to crop and animal monitoring and farm labour. It will examine how the digitisation of models – often referred to as Digital Twins – can operate in parallel with real-time sensing systems, providing a framework for forecasting, scenario testing, and timely interventions.

The lecture will present real-world case studies demonstrating how these technologies are already being applied in farming systems across scales and contexts. The lecture sets out a vision in which the integration of physical and digital domains enables agriculture to become more responsive, sustainable, and resilient in the face of complex challenges.

Exploring Automation Pathways for the Grains Industry

Join for an engaging panel discussion as part of the GRDC Grain Automate Project, where we explore how the grains industry can accelerate its journey toward automation.

GRDC’s Vision: To empower 80% of Australian grain growers with the knowledge, skills, data, infrastructure, and governance needed to successfully integrate autonomous field-based agricultural machines into their farming systems.

Seminar Focus: To help achieve this ambitious goal, the following questions will be asked:What can the grains industry learn from other sectors that have successfully adopted automation? What challenges did they face – and how do those compare to the hurdles in grains? How can their experiences inform the grains sector on their pathway to increased automation?

This is a unique opportunity to hear from experts across industries, on how we can shape the future of more autonomous grains farming in Australia.

Who Should Attend: Growers, agronomists, researchers, tech developers, and anyone interested in the future of agricultural automation.

DEADLINE: Innovate with nbn Grants program

Delivered in partnership with the Regional Australia Institute, the program is celebrating its sixth year of supporting regional businesses that are using the nbn® network to drive innovation, improve productivity, and deliver meaningful social outcomes in their communities.

If this sounds like you or someone you know, this is a chance to be recognised- and be rewarded! With prize money available across multiple categories, it’s time to showcase your impact.

Aligned to the nbn® purpose to elevate Australia by connecting people and powering progress, this year’s program features seven categories, including a new Sport & Recreation category and a combined Arts & Tourism category. Each category winner will receive $15,000, with an additional $20,000 awarded to the overall winner.

Who can apply?

digital businesses in regional and remote Australia who are:

  • making the most of the nbn® network to help enable regional Australians to live, learn and work in a digital society
  • challenging the traditional markets in regional Australia
  • lifting digital participation and stimulating regional economies
  • championing digital adoption for regional and remote communities

AARP Networking Event

The Australian Automation and Robotics Precinct (AARP) is a world-leading collaborative innovation hub and Australia’s largest test and development site supporting the advancement of automation, robotics, remote operations and zero emissions technologies globally.

As a leading global destination for technology trailblazers, the AARP’s state-of-the-art facilities provide large corporates, small to medium enterprises and startups access to multi-purpose and multi-use test beds for testing and development of robotics and autonomous equipment to accelerate technology development in real-world conditions, without the obstacles of accessing a production environment.

Each month the AARP hosts exciting events designed to connect the robotics and automation ecosystem, share insights, and explore the latest in robotics technology.

WA Food and Beverage Market Development Workshops

Join the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) for our Market Development Workshops. Across 1.5 days, participants will gain valuable insight into how to navigate export markets and learn how to perfect their pitch for domestic and international markets.

We will kick off with the Beyond Borders: Export Focus workshop on day one, followed by the Pitch Perfect half-day workshop on day two. Participants are welcome to register for both workshops or can attend just one of the days. 

Workshops:

Beyond Borders: Export Focus workshop (Day 1: Wednesday 24th September | 9am – 4pm | The Hub, Bentley)

Pitch Perfect: Domestic & International Markets workshop (Day 2: Thursday 25th September | 9am – 1pm | The Hub, Bentley)

Info Session: WA Food Industry Education Collaboration (WAFEC) Program

If you operate a WA-based food & beverage sector business with a need for STEM talent, the WA Food Industry Education Collaboration (WAFEC) program might be just the solution you need! The WAFEC team can connect your business with Western Australia’s top STEM students to undertake business-led projects.

Register here to join the online information session on August 21st at 10am AWST and hear how the program works and the experience of a business who has joined the WAFEC journey. There’s no better time to start thinking about how a STEM intern could tackle those business challenges you’ve been planning to address.

SIFT Connect Open Night

All Peel Food & Bev Companies are invited to join this relaxed, info-packed evening for early-stage food and beverage founders looking to grow smarter, faster, and more sustainably.
What to Expect:
  • SIFT Centre Tour – Get a firsthand look at WA’s purpose-built space designed to help food & drink startups scale.
  • Know Your Stuff Panel – From Start to Market with Shire of Murray Dr Danica-Lea Larcombe on the steps to getting your business registered with local government, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development David Leevers discussing the $20,000 agrifood and beverage voucher program, Future Food Systems Dr James Krahe sharing insights on new product development and Peel Produce Markets Megan Walsh on go to market strategies.
  • Real Talk Panel – “Building a business from below the ground up” Adam Wilson, founder of Great Southern Truffles, will share how he grew his business from an idea in a garage to a free-hold food factory in Osborne Park.
  • Moderated by David Doepel, Managing Director of SIFT and serial entrepreneur.
  • Frank and fearless Q&A. – Your chance to get honest advice from someone who’s been there.
  • Meet with like-minded People – Network with fellow makers, founders, and potential collaborators in a collegial setting.

DEADLINE: AEA Innovate Grant EOIs

AEA Innovate provides funding for projects at TRL 5 to 7, and up to $5 million per grant for up to 2 years.

Innovate grants support mid-stage research commercialisation through competitive grants of up to $5 million for a maximum period of 24 months.

These grants are available for researchers at Australian universities to collaborate with industry to advance projects that already have laboratory proof-of-concept.

Grant recipients are expected to be able to increase the technology and commercial readiness of their innovation to reach proof-of-scale. This includes developing and testing prototypes or pilots for new products, processes or software in an industry-relevant environment.

The eight focus areas are:

  • critical and strategic minerals processing
  • sustainable fuels
  • agriculture and food technology
  • quantum
  • artificial intelligence (AI)
  • advanced manufacturing
  • space
  • renewable energy.

The closing date for Expressions of Interest is 5:00pm AEST Friday 29 August 2025.