The 2025 Australian Rice Conference was held in Leeton, the home of rice, and marked a significant milestone—100 years since the first commercial rice harvest in 1925. This centennial event honoured the legacy of the Riverina farmers who planted the first crop in 1924 and celebrated the resilience and innovation that have shaped the industry over the past century.

 

The program highlighted the rice sector’s ongoing commitment to sustainability and efficiency, with thought-provoking discussions from leading voices in agriculture. Su McCluskey, Caroline Rhodes and Dr Madeleine Hartley explored pressing issues such as water policy, tariffs, taxation and broader trends influencing Australian agriculture. Global food futurist Tony Hunter offered insights into the future of food systems, while Stefan Vogel from RaboResearch provided an economic outlook for the region. Emerging leaders were invited to the stage as part of the Bright Future panel, where they shared fresh perspectives on the challenges and opportunities ahead for the rice industry and the broader agricultural landscape.

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The 2025 Australian Rice Conference was presented by the Ricegrowers' Association, in partnership with SunRice and AgriFutures Australia.