The National Renewables in Agriculture Conference, an annual event, makes its Queensland debut on July 4, presenting innovative solutions at the intersection of agriculture and renewable energy.

This event promises a dynamic exchange of ideas and insights in the heart of agricultural innovation.

Highlights include:

– Pioneering farmer Mike Casey from New Zealand shares his journey of electrifying his cherry farm, showcasing practical applications of solar and the use of an electric tractor.

– Panel discussions on what the future holds for fuels and farm vehicles with New Holland joining the panel.

– Diverse presentations on grazing cattle and sheep under solar panels, biogas powering a sustainable piggery and the new tech turning sugar cane waste into hydrogen.

– Discussions on how regional communities can be proactive and engage effectively in the energy transition.

Queensland beef producer Caitlin McConnel has trialled grazing cattle under solar panels and will speak about her learnings from that project and why it is critical that agriculture and renewables co-exist.

She will be joined in what promises to be an engaging panel discussion alongside Elton Miller, Executive Director of the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries and Katie Anne Mulder from Queensland Renewable Energy Council.

Farmer Mike Casey will make the trip to Toowoomba, from New Zealand to talk about becoming a fossil free, electric cherry orchard. Not only did he import electric frost fighting fans from South Africa, run on solar and batteries but the farm’s irrigation also runs on solar. The farm is one of the first in the Southern Hemisphere to use a Monarch Electric Tractor and Mr Casey will be sharing with the Conference audience just how the tractor has performed in reality on his farm.

Mr Casey believes there is nothing stopping growers from going fully electric as they upgrade technology.

“Rather than being someone telling farmers what to do, we are showing them that we did it and what the numbers are,” he says.

Karin Stark, conference organiser, said “With the intersection of agriculture and renewable energy becoming increasingly intertwined, the National Renewables in Agriculture Conference serves as a platform for industry stakeholders to collaborate, innovate, and chart the path towards a more sustainable future. We have farmers coming along who have continued to farm under solar panels, and it’s important that the learnings are shared with others to ensure the roll out of renewables compliments agriculture rather than replaces it”.

For more information and ticket purchases, please visit: https://renewablesinagconference.com.au

The National Renewables in Agriculture Conference and Expo started in 2019 and was developed due to a need to provide credible, independent advice to farmers about how they could replace diesel and electricity on their farms with renewables. It has been designed to address the barriers to the uptake of renewables and aims to share stories directly from farmers using renewables with others about what they’ve done, the benefits and what they’ve learnt.