Ever wondered what it takes to keep the energy high at evoke^AG.? In this Q&A series we’re chatting with the four emcees who’ll keep things flowing at evoke^AG. 2025 on February 18-19 in Brisbane, Queensland.  
From their offstage story, to what they love most about evoke^AG., these hosts offer a unique glimpse into the action. Get to know the people who’ll be bringing the oomph and insight to evoke^AG. 2025.  

evoke^AG., Asia-Pacific’s annual convergence of agrifood innovation, science and technology has today launched its 2025 program, packed with daring discussions, immersive sessions and game-changing innovations.

Food and agriculture, like no other industry, has a profound impact on the health of people and the planet. The cost of not looking ahead and being thoughtful about the accumulative effect of your business on the future is far higher than in most non-food industries.

Applications for the AgriFutures evoke^AG. Startup Program are now open, giving startups and scaleups the chance to rub shoulders, shake hands and sign on the dotted line with potential investors, partners, and customers at evoke^AG. 2025. For founders ready to step up, program manager Dallas Pearce shares six key tips for application success.

In this evoke^AG. podcast episode we explore an innovative collaboration and dive into how ag industries are bridging the adoption gap when it comes to agtech, chatting with Dr Louise Brown, CEO and Founder of HydGene, and New South Wales farmer Stuart Tait.

What do you get when Australia’s top agtech innovators collaborate, rather than compete? Solutions that make beef production easier, more productive, and more profitable.

AgriWebb, Farmbot, Cibo Labs, Pairtree, and Optiweigh share how they’re working together to give beef producers more bang for their agtech buck.

Harriet Mellish’s daughters are too young to understand the concept of an event – instead she tells them she’s off to a show. And she’s not wrong; building a successful event requires a production element, it needs to engage the audience and spotlight a talented cast.
Here, the General Manager, Global Innovation Networks, AgriFutures Australia, shares what she’s learned from attending several agrifood tech and innovation events in four continents over the past year – and why there are aspirations for the AgriFutures evoke^AG. 2025 program to be the greatest ‘show’ of all.

It tastes questionable and comes in a smaller can than Coke, even though it’s double the price. Yet last year Red Bull made close to USD$11 billion. Why? Because its founder didn’t ask the question, “What is the market for this product today?” Rather, it was created for an imagined future in an entirely new market category. Dan Schultz, agribusiness psychotherapist, shares why in agribusiness today, we need to ensure that we are asking ourselves and our customers the right questions.

Investment in Australian agrifood tech remains relatively robust – even in the face of a global downturn. Meet eight upstream, climate-conscious innovations leading the way.

In this evoke^AG. podcast episode we dive into how ag industries are bridging the adoption gap when it comes to agtech, chatting with Jenn Honnery, the CEO of the Bowen Gumlu Growers Association and Queensland mango farmer Ben Martin.

Circus vet. Pecan farmer. Research manager. Inaugural CEO of the CRC for Irrigation Futures. And now, Co-Founder of a vertically integrated beef business, co-owner of a macadamia orchard developer, and director of a grain supply business.

Diverse as these occupations might seem – one thread runs through Matthew Durack’s varied career: the quest for transformation. Here, the Queensland allrounder shares learnings from his 30+ year journey. Including why past experience is no predictor of future success.

Innovators in the agrifood sector have the opportunity to showcase their cutting-edge solutions at evoke^AG. 2025. This annual convergence of innovation, science, technology, and ideas shaping the future of agrifood has recently been awarded Startup Event of the Year at Startup Daily’s 2024 Best in Tech Awards.

The regenerative agriculture movement has the opportunity to flourish and create many positive benefits for people and the planet. However, Mike Lee shares why the current state and structure of the movement is vulnerable to co-opting from less than honest actors looking to use it for greenwashing. 

Climate change. Biodiversity loss. Soil degradation. Food security. Regenerative agriculture is tipped to help tackle them all.
The once fringe movement is going mainstream, as global capital is mobilised into this nature-positive approach to supply chain sustainability. But regen’s ‘hype moment’ might actually be limiting adoption amongst those who stand to benefit most – food producers.
Here, Central Queensland beef producer, and grazing management and business coach, Jess Bidgood, cuts through the noise, sharing valuable insights from her decade-long grazing journey. The key: just start.

With the right intellectual property (IP) strategy, your smart new ideas and innovations in the agritech space can become powerful tools for growth, profitability, and industry leadership. Chris Bird, Principal, FPA Patent Attorneys shares the key steps to spotting your next big agritech breakthrough and starting the journey of turning it into an asset for your business.

In February 2024 David Smith and I announced a collaboration aimed at helping producers manage their grazing enterprise to build soil carbon. David is Co-Founder and CEO of Queensland-based Ceres Tag – pioneer of the world's first direct-to-satellite animal monitoring platform. And I am the Founder and MD of AgriProve, Australia’s largest soiltech carbon developer. 
We call it ‘Tags for Tonnes’ – and since launch, early adopters have provided feedback on the insights they’ve gathered, from mustering efficiency and stock theft reporting, to informed grazing rotations for land utilisation.