Opening the Conversation

Introducing the day's theme and setting the scene for discussions exploring how technology is shaping the future of Australian agriculture.

Growing Capability Across South Australia

Mark Stanley

Executive Officer | Ag Excellence Alliance

An overview of Ag Excellence Alliance’s current priorities, partnerships and projects, highlighting how South Australia’s grower groups continue to build capability, strengthen collaboration and accelerate the adoption of research and innovation.

Shiny Tools Don’t Grow Profit – Smart Decisions Do

David Jochinke

Farmer | Leader | Advocate

Technology only creates value when it supports better business decisions. David explores the policy, market and industry trends shaping Australian agriculture, challenging delegates to focus on innovation that delivers measurable commercial outcomes.

From Strategy to Action: A Fireside Conversation

Dave McKeon

Head of Thomas Elder Sustainable Agriculture

Dave McKeon and David Jochinke discuss how today’s challenges and opportunities translate into practical business decisions, sharing perspectives from both agribusiness and farming.

Redesigning Broadacre Farming for the Future

Jock McNeil

Farmer | Nuffield Scholar

Precision agriculture, machinery optimisation and automation are reshaping broadacre farming. Jock shares practical examples from his farming business, together with insights from his 2026 Nuffield Scholarship.

Breeding Smarter: Genetics Driving Better Decisions

Alison Henderson

Owner & Stud Master | Baderloo Poll Merinos

Discover how genomics and practical stockmanship are working together to improve breeding decisions, productivity and long-term profitability within a modern sheep enterprise.

Connecting the Dots: Turning Farm Data into Better Decisions

Ed Scott

Soil Consultant | Soil & Land Company

Modern farming generates more data than ever before, but its value depends on how it is connected and applied. Ed explores how improving data interoperability can support better decisions, greater efficiency and stronger on-farm outcomes.

Collaboration Driving Innovation: The ChatBCG Story

Gabriel (Gabe) Davila & Alicia Mason

Discover how Birchip Cropping Group and Caitlyn AI collaborated to develop ChatBCG, demonstrating how artificial intelligence can strengthen extension, improve access to research and support better grower engagement.

Beyond the Technology: Shaping the Future Together

Jeanette Long

Director & Facilitator | Ag Consulting Co

Explore the opportunities, challenges and capabilities needed to support successful technology adoption across South Australian agriculture. This interactive workshop encourages collaboration, shared thinking and practical ideas to help shape the future role of grower groups.

The Future from Here: A Fishbowl Discussion

Turning Ideas into Action

Growers, advisers, researchers and industry representatives come together for an interactive discussion exploring the opportunities, challenges and priorities shaping the future of agricultural technology adoption, building on the ideas and insights shared throughout the day.

Closing Remarks

Bill Long

Farmer | Consultant | Chair AIR EP

Bill reflects on the day’s key insights and conversations, encouraging delegates to consider the practical actions they can take to strengthen innovation, collaboration and technology adoption beyond AgExForum2026.