The Agribusiness Today Forum 2024 was held in Orange on Thursday, 1 August, bringing together livestock industry leaders, innovators, and stakeholders at the Australian National Field Days Function Centre in Borenore. Organized by Regional Development Australia Central West (RDA Central West), the event delved into the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping the future of agribusiness for livestock producers.
A lineup of 22 speakers, panelists, and breakout session facilitators flew into Orange from as far as Brisbane. The event, in its 29th year, was supported in 2024 by a $25,000 Agrifutures grant from the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry as part of its Support Regional Trade Events Program.
The theme of this year’s forum was “Livestock in Focus,” but it also touched on key issues affecting farming communities, such as mental health. This included welcoming the co-founder of the successful TIACS (This is a Conversation Starter) initiative to talk about free mental health support services available during tough times.
RDA Central West Director of Regional Development, Josh Gordon, mentioned that this year’s event welcomed over 100 attendees, highlighting key areas for driving agriculture forward for the Central West livestock industry. “The Agribusiness Today Forum is a fantastic platform to highlight the agriculture sector and the developing research and new innovations driving the industry,” said Mr. Gordon. “Livestock farming is a major pillar in the region’s economy, and we have brought together a diverse range of industry experts to educate Central West livestock producers.”
Key topics on the agenda included agtech in the livestock industry, market trends, genetic improvement, assessing on-farm investments, exploring agritourism opportunities, and maximizing reproductive potential. Participants had ample opportunities to network, with morning tea and lunch included in the $49 ticket price, made affordable through the Agrifutures grant and supporting partners nbn local and Rabobank.
The Agribusiness Today Forum 2024 was open to professionals across the agricultural value chain, including farmers, researchers, investors, and agricultural technology providers. The forum, established in 1995, is an initiative of RDA Central West, Charles Sturt University, Local Land Services, and Central West Farming Systems.
