Unearthed: The people changing Australian agriculture

Growing levels of antimicrobial resistance is challenging the ongoing use of antibiotic treatments not just for human healthcare, but for plant and animal agriculture as well. The poultry and chicken meat industries are leading the way in Australia, with new AgriFutures education initiatives providing vets with the tools they need. And a new Australian research initiative is grabbing attention around the world.

Agriculture comes in many forms and the next generation is open to grabbing the opportunities on offer, whether they are in the paddock, the laboratory or even under the sea. In this episode we meet two AgriFutures Horizons Scholars who have taken the agricultural path less travelled and grown in confidence along the way.

When a milking shed becomes a classroom, eyes light up, brains are activated and lifelong memories are made. Narelle Zanker's 'have a crack' attitude dramatically altered her career path from promising young teacher to the title of AgriFutures 2026 Rural Woman of the Year. Her business Dairy Adventures combines her love of education and agriculture in a farm tour experience that has attracted more than 2000 visitors since opening less than two years ago, and in doing so she is blazing a new trail for bridging the city-country divide.

Kelly Shotton is a pilot, an electrician and a marathon runner. She designed an app to monitor livestock watering points on remote stations and won the NT Rural Woman of the Year award. Now she's the AgriFutures National Rural Women's Award Runner Up. Her former boss Anna Cochrane says Kelly is one of the most determined people she’s ever met, and regardless of the challenges and struggles, she always achieves her goals.

Meet the Australian farmers boldly going where no farmer has gone before, applying technology that can manage a crop down to individual plant level, and using a staff of hyper-cybernetic robots to manage their operations.

In a crowded era of agtech innovation and hype, what sets the Rice Dashboard apart from the pack? The decision support platform has been adopted by 95% of Australia's rice growers - an incredible success considering that 90% of agtech start ups don't survive. So what did the developer's of the Rice Dashboard do right? It started with a whole of industry approach connecting everyone from growers to researchers.

Big capital meets big questions for Australian agriculture:

Institutional investment in Australian farmland is increasingly becoming a defining force for agriculture. Capital unlocks innovation and scale, but what are the trade-offs? In this episode of Unearthed, we hear from Liam Lenaghan of GO.FARM and Jaclyn Hope from LAWD, both panel guests at evokeAG earlier this year, where they discussed the pros and cons of institutional investment in Australian agriculture.

AgriFutures new Managing Director, Brianna Casey, has lived a life of change, witnessing the transformation of the NSW Northern Rivers when growing up in Byron Bay, to being responsible for driving change when appointed CEO of the Queensland Farmers' Federation at the age of just 23. Brianna shares the life experiences that have shaped her 'walking alongside' leadership style, and the importance of combining inspiration with evidence when developing policies for the future of agriculture.

From listening to his mum's racing tips on Brisbane radio to selling Winx's foal for $10 million - one of Australia's most respected Thoroughbred auctioneers, Jonathan D'Arcy, shares how his experiences in the bloodstock industry will shape his new role guiding future research as part of the AgriFutures Thoroughred Horses Advisory Panel.

While some farmers may feel like agriculture has been under attack for many years, new research shows continuing high levels of trust in both farmers and agricultural industries by the general public. However, as Courtney Bailey of Voconiq reveals, there is a range of issues requiring proactive communication by levied and emerging industries in order to retain this high level of trust. The good news is that every individual can play their part.

With women holding only 19% of board roles in agriculture and just 2% of CEO positions, Cressida Cains is taking up the challenge to improve the diversity of views being represented in leadership positions. Australian Women in Agriculture has developed the Women on Agricultural Boards project and it's quickly gaining momentum.

AgriFutures new Chair, Mick Veitch, brings an eclectic background to the role, from time in the shearing sheds, working on the railways, and even serving in the NSW Parliament. Mick shares his insights into the process of unifying an organisation through valuing the unique experiences of those within it, and the importance of giving back to our communities.

It hasn't been an easy journey for agriculture's 'PlayStation generation', but after deconstructing and reconstructing everyday technologies - from cardboard boxes to mobile phones - they are now applying AI and machine learning to transform Australia's grains industry. Cropify's Anna Falkiner and Elders Alex Greetham, who both featured at AgriFutures' evokeAg Conference, share their insights into how new technology is bringing greater objectivity to decision making while retaining the value of human experience.

Facing tight margins and increasing competition for land, farmers around the world are looking to non-traditional revenue streams that reward their role as environmental stewards. But navigating the complexities of soil carbon, biodiversity and nature repair markets is incredibly challenging. AgriFutures-sponsored Nuffield Scholar Sally Higgins has been investigating how farmers around the world have responded, while UNE researcher, Associate Professor Rhiannon Smith, has developed the Environer website to assist farmers find the right opportunities for their business.

Making the right moves for disease-free crops: As ginger growers prepare to plant their new crop in July, we speak with researcher QDPI's Dylan Corner about trials showing promise in the control of microscopic worms; hear from fourth generation ginger grower, Abby Templeton, about her plans to study tissue culture processes around the world, as part of her Nuffield Farming Scholarship; and we reminisce about the good old days with her grandfather John, who balanced the hard work on the farm with the grace and skill of ballroom dancing.

Why honeybees are overlooked and misunderstood in bushfire planning - this episode investigates the impact of both prescribed burning and out of control bushfires on Australia's honeybee industry. The sector contributes $4.6 billion in value to the nation's cropping industry through pollination services, but does not have a formal seat at the table in fire planning.

evokeAg special: Just Meat protein in powder form and Halter, the collar for cows

In the first of a series of special episodes unearthing the stars of the AgriFutures evokeAg conference, we meet the innovators behind two new livestock technologies which are attracting investors and customers around the world. Ellie Whelan has collaborated with CSIRO in developing the Just Meat protein powder, and Andrew Fraser is leading Halter’s global expansion, but both have had to overcome unexpected challenges in bringing their brilliant ideas to market.

Season 2 of Unearthed kicks off with the story of two inspirational entrepreneurs from opposite sides of the country, who have embraced value-adding to grow their families' farming businesses and build resilience in their regional economies. Meet WA Rural Women's Award finalist, Fiona Mann, of Block 275 Canola Oil, and Ros Vodusek, of Rich Glen Olive Oil.

Season 2 of Unearthed, the AgriFutures' podcast all about the people changing Australian agriculture, will hit the airwaves on April 20!

The Changemakers series has examined how leaders from across rural Australia and at different stages of their diverse career paths, navigate the pitfalls of making change happen.

John Harvey has been at the pointy end of change having ledAgriFutures for the last 10 years, and served as CEO of the Grains Research and Development Corporation for five years before that.

But for all of the technical knowledge and the complexity of the organisations he has led, the simplicity of the insights John shares speaks to an incredible wisdom.

He discusses the importance of understanding...

Lisa Anderson is anything but “just a farmer” – her career journey spans agriculture, the legal profession and serving as a board director.

Lisa shares the importance of curiosity, building trust throughvulnerability, the balance of culture versus strategy, and the impact of peer-to-peer learning in driving change in agriculture.

The road to the top isn’t a straight line – every interesting life experience and the meaningful relationships built along the way are of immense value when it comes to driving change in agricultural industries and rural communities.

In this conversation, we meet Courtney Bailey, the agriculture sector lead at Voconiq and CEO of Country to Canberra, who discusses her non-linear career path, the importance of mentorship, and the impact of agriculture education can have on a young person’s life.

At just 22 years old, Basil Nolan demonstrates diplomacy andhumility beyond his years, skills that have him earmarked as a young leader in the Thoroughbred racing industry.

A recipient of the AgriFutures Les Young Scholarship, Basilshares his experiences at the famed National Stud in the United Kingdom, where he learnt from some of the best in the business, resulting in refinements to the operations at his family’s home stud of Raheen in Warwick, Qld.

The conversation covers the value of community andnetworking, and the importance of moving slowly and considering the ‘why not’ when embarking on cha...

Stephanie March shares her deeply personal story of the birth of her son, Bill, and the immediate diagnosis of a rare but chronic respiratory illness.

The conversation covers the emotional turmoil of navigating the healthcare system, the impact on family dynamics, and the power of feedback as an advocacy tool for change.

When you hear Steph’s story and the impact it is having on the medical system, you’ll understand why she’s a Changemaker of Australian agriculture.

Introducing Changemakers, a special series of five fascinating one-on-one conversations with the leaders changing the direction of Australian agriculture.

Disruption doesn’t come easy and making change happen canreap huge rewards, but it can also come at a personal and financial cost – hear their experiences and insights in navigating the pitfalls of pursuing new opportunities and big ideas.

With more than 50% of school children believing that cows are milked by hand, and that the only career available in agriculture is to be a farmer, something needed to change in the education system. So all 15 Rural Research and Development Corporations banded together to develop Australia’s first National Schools Food and Fibre Strategy, which was launched by AgriFutures in November. This episode of Unearthed explores the pressing need for skilled professionals in Australian agriculture, including more agricultural teachers, as well as some of the techniques being used to attract more city kids to be a part of the ag...

Chemical resistance has been detected in populations of redlegged earth mites and blue green aphids in new parts of Australia, challenging lucerne producers to consider new methods of crop protection. This episode of Unearthed challenges farmers and industry to move beyond single crop thinking and towards landscape-scale approaches to pest control.

Where do Australia’s famed Thoroughbreds go after their career in racing finishes? The question of finding the right post-racing career for Thoroughbreds is at the heart of this episode of Unearthed. AgriFutures is developing a national strategy to increase demand for the 6000 horses that retire from the track each year, with second careers options ranging from the equestrian ring to amazing work healing the bodies and minds of human beings through equine therapy.

As the climate shifts and farmers more closely monitor the returns achieved for every megalitre of water invested, the landscape is changing and producers are asking the question of what else could they grow to maximise productivity and profit.

This episode builds on our series examining the evolution of Australia’s rice industry over the last 100 years, and investigates the place of new crops like sesame and industrial hemp in modern, water- and climate-efficient farming systems.

For an industry built on irrigation, modern Australian rice growers have become the most water efficient in the world using 50% less water than their international competitors and producing 50% more rice per megalitre than they did 25 years ago.

And the improvements are set to keep on coming as new varieties and agronomic practices transform the farming landscape.

Over two big episodes, Unearthed is exploring the rich history and evolution of the Australian rice industry, which is this year celebrating 100 years of commercial production. From horse and plough, to Tiger Moth planes, to massivemachinery, this episode tracks the changes in farming techniques, water management, and the impact of technology on rice production. The conversation features insights from industry veteran George Rathbone, who at 95 has lived through almost everything that has been experienced in the industry, to current day champion growers Michael and Felicia Chalmers. The common theme: the importance of innovation and adaptation in the face of...

Australia’s chicken meat industry is a star performer of Australian agriculture with retail value of around $6.6 billion and employing more than 58,000 people. So how does an industry like that take its game to the next level? In this episode of Unearthed, we discover how the team at AgriFutures has taken a leaf out of the elite sports coaching manual as part of a new approach to chicken meat research.

The final episode in our three-part series celebrating 25 years of the Rural Women's Award, is a special one-on-one interview between AgriFutures Chair, Cathy McGowan and our host Michael Thomson. As one of the changemakers of rural Australia, Cathy shares her personal insights into the evolution of the award, the challenges faced by rural women in gaining recognition and taking a more prominent role in Australian agriculture, and the ongoing challenges to realising their full potential.

Unearthed continues the celebration of 25 Years of the Rural Women’s Award by delving into the next chapter of its the evolution. After emerging from the shadows in the previous episode, leading rural women are now in the spotlight and facing new and unexpected challenges. Through the use of design thinking, new support networks and alumni connections are created resulting in greater collaboration and diversity in the agricultural workforce. Looking ahead, the conversation envisions a future where the award continues to empower women and expand its reach within rural communities.

In part one of Unearthed’s special three-part series celebrating 25 years of the Rural Women’s Award, we go back to where it all began and discover the challenges facing women in rural Australia in the 1980s and ‘90s. Featuring interviews with Jeanette Long, Lisa Palu and Edwina Clowes, the episode explores how they were motivated to bring the contribution of women to agriculture and rural communities out of the shadows and into the spotlight, and how the Award has empowered women within the agricultural sector.

Episode 2 of AgriFutures new look podcast Unearthed, delves into the hives of Australia’s European honeybee population and the impact of the varroa mite on both the beekeeping industry and the crops that depend on pollination. To help keep track of varroa’s spread, and stay ahead of emerging pests and disease challenges, an early warning system in the form of an annual Colony Loss Survey as been implemented as part of the National Varroa Transition to Management Program, managed by the Australian Honey Bee Industry Council with support from AgriFutures Honey Bee & Pollination Program. Find out what the firs...

We’re off to the races in episode one of AgriFutures' new-look podcast, Unearthed: The people changing Australian agriculture, to find the people who’ve changed Australia’s racing industry using new research into Thoroughbred respiratory conditions.   

Join host Michael Thomson as he unearths the farmers, scientists and big characters changing Australian agriculture in this new series from AgriFutures Australia.