What will shape the future of Australian agriculture? That question was front and centre at Protein 2026, where producers, researchers, technology providers and industry leaders gathered in Dalby to explore the opportunities and challenges facing Australia’s protein industries.
Representing the TNQ Drought Hub were Knowledge Broker Karen George and Adoption Officer Jane Barker, who joined discussions across the pork, poultry, beef and pulse sectors. The conference focused on three key themes, trade, technology and talent, highlighting how each will influence the future of Australian agriculture.
The event brought together expertise from across the supply chain to share practical insights, encourage cross-sector collaboration and explore ways to strengthen competitiveness in rapidly changing domestic and global markets.
A key takeaway was the importance of making informed business decisions with a clear purpose.
“Whether it’s investing in technology, collecting data or exploring new markets, understanding the value behind every decision is becoming increasingly important,” Jane said.
Trade discussions reinforced that remaining competitive starts with understanding cost of production, while technology sessions highlighted the importance of collecting data that delivers real value.
“Data can be expensive to collect, so knowing what information is valuable, and how you’ll use it, is essential,” Jane said. “When data is easy to capture and share, it frees up more time to focus on innovation and solving problems.”
The conference also explored attracting and retaining skilled people, creating clearer career pathways and better communicating the opportunities available across agriculture.
Beyond the formal program, networking conversations covered topics ranging from tomato seed oil processing and green ant garnishes to transport logistics and water availability for future feedlot developments, highlighting the diversity of innovation across the sector.
Reflecting on the event, Jane encouraged producers to consider how trade, technology and talent are influencing their own businesses.
“Taking the time to think about how these themes could affect your business, both now and into the future, is a valuable way to identify opportunities, manage risks and make informed decisions.”
