Australia’s premier grains industry event, the Australian Grains Industry Conference (AGIC) 2025, wrapped up in Melbourne after two days of high‑level discussion, strategic insights, and valuable industry connections under the theme Driving Forward – Sowing Success.
Held at the Crown Promenade, AGIC once again brought together delegates from across the Australian grain industry and international markets, reaffirming its role as a vital platform for collaboration, leadership and industry development.
GTA Chair Andrew Goyder opened the conference by welcoming delegates from across Australia, China and Indonesia, and used the opportunity to officially launch the revised Australian Grain Industry Code of Practice. Andrew encouraged members to register for GTA’s new free Code Online Training Program, now available via the GTA website. In his address, Andrew reminded attendees that success in our industry comes from strengthening partnerships, driving innovation, and ensuring our supply chains, systems, and people are ready for future challenges.
The AGIC program delivered a diverse mix of perspectives, including:
- Adelaide Timbrell, Senior Economist at ANZ, highlighted Australia’s economic resilience, noting a low unemployment rate, a tight labour market, and the stability of the rules‑based grains industry.
- Emily French, Global Ag Protein, emphasised agility and market awareness in a changing global trade environment, reminding exporters and end‑users to “always be ready so you don’t have to get ready.”
- Dennis Voznesenski, author of War & Wheat, explored the impact of geopolitical conflict on supply chains and how disruption shifts government focus to self‑sufficiency. Many delegates were excited to get hold of his book.
Panel sessions added practical depth, from Policy Settings for Industry Growth, which highlighted the need for shared understanding in effective regulation, to Keeping Up with Technology to Sow Success, which explored how innovation can help future‑proof agriculture.
Delegates also heard from The Hon Simon Birmingham, Warren Entsch, and Lesley and Roger Gillespie OAM (Bakers Delight), in conversation with Hugh Riminton, on leadership and entrepreneurship. The conference closed with an inspiring keynote from Olympic swimming legend Michael Klim OAM, who shared his personal journey of resilience and performance.
Social and networking opportunities were again a highlight. The CBH AGIC Gala Dinner treated guests to a performance by International Magician of the Year, Cosentino and a special presentation from GTA CEO Pat O’Shannassy to Andrew Goyder, recognising Andrew’s commitment to GTA, the Board, and members. Andrew will retire as Chair at the GTA AGM in October. During the evening Michael Klim’s signed swimming cap from the Athens 2004 Olympic Games was auctioned off raising over $3,000 for The KLIM Foundation, supporting people with CIDP is a rare neurological autoimmune illness.
Other networking highlights included the inaugural Women in Grain breakfast, hosted in partnership with HFW, and the Young Professionals Networking Event led by GTA’s Five Under 30 initiative, which also featured in the Generational Change: GTA’s Five Under 30 Look at Industry Evolution panel during the conference.
GTA CEO Pat O’Shannassy said AGIC 2025 once again delivered strategic insights, commercial relevance, and meaningful connections. “This is a forum where big conversations happen and where leadership in the Australian grain industry is on full display,” Pat said.
AGIC 2025 was a powerful mix of insight, leadership and peer engagement. Conference recordings and resources are now available via the Online Portal for AGIC delegates.
