Vic Hub February 2026 event round-up

 

The Victoria Drought Resilience Adoption & Innovation Hub (Vic Hub) participated in a series of key industry events across February 2026, connecting with researchers, farmers, industry leaders and policymakers. These events highlight the importance of collaboration, adoption-focused research and practical on-ground outcomes in strengthening drought preparedness and resilience across Victorian agriculture.

 

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Research for Impact workshop strengthens adoption-focused thinking

 

Held in Melbourne across 10–11 February, the two-day Research for Impact workshop brought together project teams from across grains, livestock, horticulture, dairy, cotton and fisheries to strengthen how research is designed for real-world adoption.

Delivered by John James (Enablers of Change), Denise Bewsell (Scarlatti) and Jeff Coutts (Coutts J&R), the workshop focused on embedding a practical Theory of Change approach from the outset of projects. Participants worked through seven guiding principles, including systems thinking, stakeholder engagement and clear communication, to ensure research is designed with adoption, reach and impact in mind.

The University of Melbourne attended through its agrivoltaics project, exploring how solar integration can support both energy generation and crop productivity. Vic Hub representatives Bow Souter and Rhiannan McPhee contributed to discussions, alongside participants reflecting on how people, not just projects, sit at the centre of successful outcomes.

Rhiannan McPhee, the Vic Hub’s Adoption Coordinator, said the workshop reinforced the importance of early engagement.

“What stood out at the Research for Impact workshop was how much stronger our projects become when we embed end-user thinking from day one. Seeing colleagues from across grains, horticulture, livestock and more come together to tackle complex challenges reminded me that agriculture doesn’t exist in silos — understanding people within our systems is the key to real-world impact.”

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evokeAG 2026 highlights collaboration across agrifood innovation

 

At evokeAG 2026, held 17–18 February, Vic Hub representatives joined global leaders, researchers and innovators to explore the future of agrifood innovation.

Director Dr Sara Hely, Adoption Coordinator Rhiannan McPhee and Regional Soil Coordinator Dr Peter Fisher attended alongside Hub partners and other national Drought Resilience Hubs. The program featured plenary sessions, workshops and innovation showcases, with strong themes emerging around collaboration, experimentation and cross-sector thinking.

A University of Melbourne-led Roundtable Challenge explored what Australia and the world may be eating by 2035, highlighting the links between soil stewardship, farm management and human health outcomes. The discussion reflected a broader shift from “paddock to plate” to “paddock to gut”, reinforcing the need to connect food production with nutrition and consumer understanding.

Sessions across the program reinforced the importance of preparedness and adaptive systems, including discussions on climate as agriculture’s “least reliable business partner”, and the need to build for the future rather than the past.

Michele van der Walt, Food Sector Development Director, said collaboration across the food system will be critical.

“At the ‘What will Australia and the world be eating in 2035?’ roundtable, listening to farmers, researchers, and ingredient and food manufacturers, it became clear that when Australia’s food system works together rather than in silos, we can ensure that by 2035 every Australian has affordable, accessible and nutritious food on their plate.”

Professor Chibuike Udenigwe added that the conversation is shifting beyond productivity alone.

“evokeAG 2026 highlighted how urgently the conversation has shifted from scaling agri-food outputs to redefining value across the food system… Future competitiveness hinges on aligning food quality, nutrition, human health, and environmental outcomes to command real premiums back to the farm gate.”

For the Vic Hub, the event reinforced the role of collaboration in driving impact.

Rhiannan McPhee said, “evokeAG highlighted how the future of agrifood innovation depends on curiosity, cross-sector thinking, and a willingness to experiment. Driving meaningful change requires bold ideas, collaboration across diverse expertise, and a focus on solutions that turn new approaches into real-world impact.”

 

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Dookie sideline tour showcases drought-ready farming systems

 

As part of the evokeAG program, delegates visited The University of Melbourne’s Dookie Campus on 19 February for the Research to Resilience sideline event.

Set within a working farm enterprise, the tour demonstrated how research, emerging technologies and long-term trials are supporting drought preparedness and resilience in practice. Delegates were welcomed by Dookie Campus Director Ros Gall and Vic Hub Director Dr Sara Hely, who highlighted the Hub’s role in connecting research with on-ground adoption through the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund.

Visitors explored a range of research sites, including mixed farming systems, perennial horticulture trials and advanced sensing technologies used to identify water stress thresholds. The tour also included the commercial robotic dairy and a visit to the Tatura SmartFarm, showcasing innovations such as high-density orchard systems, agrivoltaics and precision irrigation.

Together, the sites demonstrated how integrated research, technology and partnerships are shaping more resilient farming systems.

Rhiannan McPhee said the experience highlighted the importance of applied innovation.

“Walking through the Dookie Campus brought home how innovative practices and emerging technologies are being applied on the ground to create drought-ready farming systems, and how investing in education and the next generation is central to making a real difference.”

 

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VFF Grains Conference connects industry, policy and practice

 

Held in Yarrawonga across 22–23 February, the 2026 Victoria Farmers Federation (VFF) Grains Conference brought together growers, researchers and policymakers to discuss the future of Victoria’s grains sector.

The conference provided a strong platform for sharing perspectives on productivity, research priorities and long-term sustainability. VFF President Brett Hosking reflected on agriculture’s broader role in delivering healthier food, environments and communities, while GRDC Southern Panel Chair Andrew Russell outlined key priorities including farm safety, education, cost pressures and profitability.

Beyond the formal sessions, the event created valuable opportunities for connection across industry. Networking aboard the Cumberoona paddle steamer provided a relaxed setting for conversations, with welcome rainfall across the region adding to a positive outlook for the season ahead.

Rhiannan McPhee said the event reinforced the importance of keeping people at the centre of decision-making.

“The VFF Grains Conference was a great reminder that farmers don’t just grow crops, they grow healthier communities and stronger regions. Research, policy and practice only deliver impact when they work hand-in-hand with the people living the realities and challenges of the industry.”