HomeEducational ResourcesAgTech News Roundup – 6 March

AgTech News Roundup – 6 March

Mar 06 2025

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In this edition:

• Australian agriculture valued at $91bn for 2025/26, according to ABARES
• Federal Government announces food security strategy
• Daylight between New Zealand and Australia in solar energy production
• Plus: Funding opportunities you may have missed

Making headlines in AgTech

Australian agriculture valued at $91bn

The value of Australian agriculture is expected to reach $91bn in 2025/26 according to the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES). Including fisheries and forestry, ABARES expects the sector to go even higher, hitting $98bn.

“While this is slightly down on an exceptional 2024-25, particularly strong results are forecast for livestock and livestock products,” said Executive Director Dr Jared Greenville.

Feeding Australia strategy released

While we’re on the topic of ABARES, the Federal Government used the 2025 Outlook this week to announce a new national food security strategy called ‘Feeding Australia’. Speaking on ABC Radio National Breakfast, President of the National Farmers’ Federation David Jochinke said the $3.5m strategy will:

“Look at inputs, supply chain, and efficiencies to ensure we are producing high-quality food at the most affordable price where both farmers make enough money, and consumers aren’t paying more than they need to,” said Mr Jochinke.

Power to ya!

New Zealand generated 88% of its electricity through renewable sources in 2023.  In contrast, Australia generated just 35% of its electricity in the same manner over the same period. So, what can we learn from our neighbours across the ditch? Writing in ‘Watt Now?’ Rewiring Aotearoa’s Climate Scientist Dominic Thorn notes solar power makes sense because

“It’s cheaper, gives us the extra electricity we need to move away from fossil fuels, and improves the country’s energy security.”

Have Your Say: Achieving Net-Zero Emissions in Agriculture

Now that we’ve got you thinking about energy and on-farm emissions, go a step further and have your say. PhD Candidate at Federation University and Food Agility CRC HDR Student, Pramod Gautam, is seeking farmers to share their thoughts on Net-Zero Emissions in Agriculture. Questions will cover your perception on ‘net-zero’, digital record keeping, the use and challenges of digital decision support systems, and GHG management at farm level.

Funding Opportunities

 AI for Vegetables

This program, led by Hort Innovation, seeks to explore Artificial Intelligence (AI) Applications for the vegetable industry. The aim is to brainstorm, evaluate, and prioritise high impact areas where AI can deliver commercial benefits for growers. Applications close 18 March.

Churchill Fellowship

Do you want to travel the world to study best practice in your field of interest and then apply it on your return in Australia? The prestigious Churchill Fellowship could be for you. Each Fellowship involves funding for expenses for 4-8 weeks of international travel. Apply now!

Climate Smart

The Australian Government is inviting organisations via an open competitive process to apply to deliver projects under the Natural Heritage Trust’s Climate-Smart Agriculture Program – Capacity Building Grants Round 2. To apply, click here.