On the Australian Market Outlook panel were Allied Pinnacle’s Brett Duczmal, Arrow Commodities’ Richard Glasson, CHS Broadbents’ Sam Batters with ANZ’s Michael Whitehead. Photo: AGIC 2022 Australia

AUSTRALIAN and international speakers and delegates are preparing to meet in Melbourne next month for the Australian Grain Industry Conference, where a diverse program will deliver news and views under the theme of Challenging Success, Maintaining Momentum.

Hosted by Grain Trade Australia, Pulse Australia and the Australian Oilseeds Federation, the hybrid event is being held on Wednesday July 26 and Thursday July 27, and allows delegates to attend in person at Melbourne’s Crown Promenade, or virtually.

Federal Minister for Agriculture Murray Watt will deliver the opening address, while Shadow Federal Minister for Agriculture David Littleproud and Western Australia’s Minister for Agriculture Jackie Jarvis will deliver keynote addresses.

GTA chief executive officer Pat O’Shannassy said the forum provides a chance to hear informed opinions from leaders in markets, supply chains and government, as well as looking at developments which are changing how business is done.

“Artificial intelligence is becoming part of so many aspects of our lives, and big developments are being seen in the grain industry as part of that,” Mr O’Shannassy said.

“We’ve included a panel on AI for the first time this year to look at what technology is out there, what’s coming, and the stewardship framework required.”

Panelists discussing AI in grain are OctopusBot founder and director Carolina Ferreira, AgriDigital CEO and co-founder Emma Weston, and InterGrain CEO Tress Walmsley.

Following the Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA) which came into force in December, the already significant bilateral relationship is expected to grow in importance for both countries.

What that might mean will be scoped in the India – Building Strategic Partnerships for Growth and Opportunities panel session.

Insights will come from Australia India Institute CEO Lisa Singh and GAFTA arbitrator and McDonald Pelz Global Commodities partner Sumit Gupta.

Australia’s trading community is also well represented, and the Industry Pathways Building Industry Momentum panel comprises LDC trader and Grain Industry Association of Victoria president Simone Dax, CHS Broadbent trading manager Tim Murray, and AgRisk head of strategy Nick Crundall.

On the local pricing front, AgScientia principal Lloyd George, George Weston Foods commodity risk manager’ Erin Burns and Cargill Australia trading manager Sam Napier will scope the outlook for the Australian market.

From the paddock to the pitch and the podium, former Australian cricketer and national ambassador for mental health Brad Hogg will give everyone something to think about in his Challenging Success and Maintaining Your Momentum address.

Mr O’Shannassy said exhibitors added an important dimension to AGIC, with representatives from industry on site to discuss the latest in products and services that support the standards for which Australian grain is renowned.

Registration for AGIC 2023 is open now, and early bird rates close 3 July at 1159; a number of registrations at discounted rates are available to growers thanks to support from the Grains Research and Development Corporation.

Other AGIC 2023 speakers include:

• ProExporter Network president and principal Marty Ruikka providing an outlook for the global grain and oilseed market;
• S&P Global Commodity Insights senior vice president Ken Eriksen on the global agricultural supply chain;
• A panel comprising Australian Farm Institute executive director Richard Heath, University of Melbourne professor of sustainable agriculture and director of Primary Industries Climate Challenges Centre, Richard Eckard and GrainCorp head of sustainability Michael Anderson will discuss environmental, social and governance credentials;
• CBH Group CEO Ben Macnamara into Australia’s grain supply chain;
• Journalist David Speers in conversation with George Weston Foods CEO Stuart Grainger, and Cargill Agricultural Supply Chain regional head  Zsolt Kocza;
• National Farmers Federation CEO Tony Mahar;
• Special Representative for Australian Agriculture Su McCluskey;
• Retired former senior Australian public servant and diplomat Dennis Richardson speaking on geopolitical issues;
• ANZ head of food, beverage and agribusiness insights Michael Whitehead;
• GRDC chair and Boggabilla grower John Woods speaking on GRDC’s extension plan to 2028.

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