Forward-thinking farmers will soon converge on the heart of Melbourne, with the FutureAg trade fair to run from August 6-8.

As extreme weather events challenge farmers like never before, concerns around global food security intensify, and the possibilities of AI continue to unfold, many players in Australia’s agricultural sector are realising that business as usual is no-longer an option. 

In preparing for this uncertain future, the FutureAg Expo (set to be held at the Melbourne Showgrounds over three days from August 6 to August 8) is a valuable source of information, inspiration and networking opportunities for farmers and agribusiness professionals from across Australia, New Zealand and international markets. Now in its second year, the expo has quickly established itself as a key national platform for agricultural machinery, precision agriculture and sustainable farming practices.

Bringing the industry together 

So much more than a chance to marvel at shiny new pieces of machinery (although there will be plenty of that), the expo serves as a networking and knowledge-sharing hub for farmers, agribusiness professionals, manufacturers and industry leaders, and a showcase of the latest agricultural technologies from Australia and abroad. This year, a new Irrigation Pavilion and Grain Automate Alley will shine a spotlight on the grain and crop sector, responding to needs around efficiency, sustainability and labour challenges.

Brought to Australia by global trade show giant, Deutsche Messe in collaboration with DLG, the German Agricultural Society, the event promises a blend of local relevance with global insights. Hannover Fairs managing director Tim Bostridge said the conference and expo provide a forum for sharing real stories, real challenges and practical takeaways.

“Farmers can hear directly from other farmers and producers, industry leaders and researchers tackling the same issues, whether that’s input costs, automation, water efficiency, or adapting to climate extremes. It’s not just about what’s shiny and new, but what’s actually working,” he said.

With offers from preferred accommodation partners available, many attendees choose to stay at the same hotels, extending the networking opportunities. 

“These venues often become informal hubs where conversations carry on over dinner or a drink connecting farmers not just with each other, but also with decision-makers from across the ag supply chain,” Mr Bostridge said.

Knowledge hub

A conference program, incorporating keynote talks and panel discussions, will run alongside the exhibits and live demonstrations. At the heart of this year’s expo is a laser-focused approach to drought resilience, with the Victorian Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub (Vic Hub) taking centre stage in the conference program. New developments in automation, the rise of data-driven or digital farming, and climate-friendly farming techniques are other topics that will lead the conversation this year, presented by some of the industry’s most inspiring movers and shakers.

On day one, visitors will hear from Queensland-based innovator Stacked Farm, which designs and produces fully automated indoor vertical farms that can deliver fresh produce, from seed to pack, with no human intervention. 

In another talk, Farmers2Founders technology head Pete Walsh will look towards innovations in space technology, quantum computing, terraforming, deep sea exploration and AI-enabled robotics, explaining how these could impact the future of agriculture.  

Visitors will also hear about the Doomsday Vault, buried deep in the Norwegian Archipelago, that is designed to protect and preserve seeds that could be the key to maintaining agricultural resilience in the face of geopolitical unrest and climate change. 

There will be insights into new approaches to fatigue risk management, presented by CQUniversity researchers, and a talk by WA-based mixed cropping and livestock producer Belinda Lay, who uses data from electronic livestock tags and collars to inform farming decisions. 

This is just a small snapshot of the program, with each of the days dedicated to a different theme, including innovation on day one, followed by ag business on day two, and bolstering a farm’s workforce through building careers and upskilling on day three. 

Plan your visit

A choice of tickets gives FutureAg Expo visitors the flexibility to plan their visit according to their interests, whether it’s a quick browse, or a deep dive. A standard expo pass is free for a limited time (save $25), providing three days to explore the exhibition floor, attend talks in the theatre, and see live on-stage demonstrations. For an earlybird price of $180, visitors can get an All Access Pass, taking in the full program of talks across the theatre and main stage. The main stage program is designed for farm owners, agribusiness leaders, researchers and entrepreneurs who want to be part of shaping agriculture’s future. 

There’s also a Hosted Buyers Program for eligible decision-making purchasers (see criteria here), with a Platinum All Access pass available for these visitors.   

For the ultimate experience, the Platinum All Access Plus pass includes a seven-day tour for delegates who are interested in seeing regenerative agriculture and farming innovation in practice.  The tour will visit leading farming operations in Victoria that include chemical-free genetically unaltered crops and utilise broadacre data-based precision technologies. 

Register today for FutureAg, August 6-8, 2025 at Melbourne Showgrounds.

Article written by The Weekly Times