By Autumn Demberger, AgInvesting Media

Next week, the global agriculture investment sector will join together in the heart of Brisbane, Australia for the inaugural GAI Australia summit, taking place June 10-11. For the first time in its near-two-decade history, Global AgInvesting (GAI)—the world’s premier gathering for agriculture, water, timberland, and natural capital stakeholders—is heading to the Southern Hemisphere.

Australia, with its institutional-quality broadacre cropping, advanced agtech, and strategic trade pipelines into Asia, is uniquely positioned to bring together leaders representing across agriculture, water, timberland, natural capital, and climate-aligned real assets. With a rapidly growing market with potential across carbon, biodiversity, and sustainability linked strategies, institutional-quality farmland at scale with highly diversified production, and a stable governance framework and transparent investment environment, there’s sure to be a little bit of something for everyone.

The two-day conference is packed with data-driven presentations, fireside chats, and expert panels exploring endless opportunities, resources, and approaches. For those still deciding what to day and who to see, here are just five sessions at GAI Australia that are sure to deliver.

1) Keynote: Macro Outlook — Australian and Global Ag Markets and Where Australia Fits

Michael Whitehead, Executive Director of Food, Beverage and Agribusiness Industry Insights, ANZ will kick off the GAI Australia event with his Keynote on Australia’s place in the global ag market.

Shaped by a mix of complex macroeconomic, geopolitical, demographical and environmental factors, agriculture markets are changing nearly every day. From inflation and interest rates to trade realignment, food security concerns, and shifting consumer demand, investors must navigate an evolving landscape when allocating capital to agriculture.

Whitehead, who’s role is to actively focus on mapping industry-based trends and analyze their impact on stakeholders, will dive into the major global trends influencing agricultural markets and investment flows during his discussion. Using the lens of Australia’s position within the global food an agriculture system, he’ll provide attendees with some insight into the opportunities—and risks—likely to shape ag investment performance for the next few years, while highlighting factors to strengthen Australia’s competitive advantage in attracting long-term capital.

2) Australia’s Role in Global Food Security

Few topics are more pressing on the global stage than the future of our food systems, and this session brings together an exceptional lineup of minds to unpack exactly what lies ahead.

Speakers include:

• Moderator David McKeon, Head of Thomas Elder Sustainable Agriculture, Elders
• Su McCluskey, Chair, Crawford Fund for Food Security
• Graeme Bolton, Director General, Queensland Department of Primary Industries
• James Carson, General Manager, Intensive Production and Sales, The North Australian Pastoral Company
• Dennis Voznesenski, Agricultural Economist, CommBank

This discussion aims to deliver a sharp, forward-looking analysis of the critical pressures and major breakthroughs defining the sector today. Geopolitical friction, erratic climate patterns, fragile supply chains, and a surging global population have collectively pushed food security to the top of the international agenda. In this volatile landscape, Australia stands out—blessed with the scale and expertise to act as a vital anchor for both international supply and domestic stability.

Together, the panel will map out the strategic investments, policy shifts, and cutting-edge innovations required to build truly resilient production networks. Attendees will gain a clear understanding of the macro trends threatening global food systems, how Australia can leverage its unique advantages as a trusted exporter, and where the most impactful opportunities lie for investors, producers, and policymakers navigating an hungrier world.

3) Keynote: Productivity — An Essential Element to Agricultural Investing in the Cycle Ahead

Maximizing productivity stands as a fundamental driver of investment performance in the modern agricultural cycle. As investors navigate fluctuating market conditions and changing environmental pressures, the ability to scale efficiently and optimize asset utilization determines where long-term value is unlocked. Achieving this requires an organized approach to asset acquisition, strategic resource management, and the integration of water entitlements.

During his keynote, David Bryant, Managing Director, Rural Funds Management, will lead attendees through an invesment landscape where efficiency influences performance, focusing on productivity as a cornerstone of successful agricultural investing in the cycle ahead.

Scaling operations and optimizing asset returns will also be critical points of focus. Investors will look beyond basic land acquisition to understand how large-scale agricultural property assets and complex water entitlements can be strategically managed to drive consistent value.

Bryant, who has spent nearly three decades leading the acquisition and management of approximately $2.7 billion in agricultural assets for both retail and institutional investors, will draw on his industry background to break down these dynamics. Focusing on strategic planning and commercial asset optimization, his discussion aims to offer insight into sourcing opportunities and maximizing the productive capacity of agricultural portfolios for the cycle ahead.

4) Fireside Chat: Connecting Productivity and Stewardship

As the relationship between commercial output and environmental management evolves, this session brings together key industry perspectives to examine how these priorities intersect in practice.

Speakers include:

• Moderator Claire Kneller, General Manager, Australia, Leading Harvest
• Nikki Jordan, Head of Sustainability, Warakirri Asset Management
• Pepe Morales, Manager, Alternative Investments, Rest
• Kristy Hart, HSE Risk Manager, Manulife Investment Management Agriculture Services (Australia)
• Michael Karbouris, Digital Finance CRC

This panel will take a practical look at how forward-thinking operators are exploring the balance between commercial goals and responsible resource management.

For today’s agricultural investors, productivity and stewardship are no longer widely viewed as competing objectives. Instead, a growing number of successful farming businesses are demonstrating that strong environmental management and responsible resource use can actively enhance operational performance, strengthen climate resilience, and support long-term asset appreciation.

The panel will dive into the real-world methodologies being used to balance production targets with sustainable land management. Together, the panellists will guide attendees through the critical intersections of returns and resource management, showing how baseline yields and natural capital considerations can work hand-in-hand to elevate total investment outcomes. Participants will also explore practical, concrete approaches to improving soil health, optimizing water management, boosting biodiversity, and maximizing resource efficiency—all while protecting the bottom line—while learning how these proactive stewardship practices act as functional tools for risk management, asset durability, and long-term value creation.

5) Closing Panel: Challenges and Opportunities in Australian Ag Infrastructure

What better way to round out a conference than with a panel of experts capturing the nuances of Australian agriculture infrastructure? Led by moderator Todd Crowley, Founder, MD Vaxa Group, and rounded out by speakers Lisa Hewitt, Non Executive Director, Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility and Jon White, National Director, Commercial Activities, Nutrien Ag Solutions, this session promises to dig deeper on the challenges and opportunities currently being faced.

Australia possesses many of the attributes investors seek in agricultural markets, including scale, export competitiveness, strong production systems, and growing global demand for its products. Yet, this panel argues, realizing the sector’s full potential will require continued investment in the infrastructure that connects farms to processors, consumers, and global markets. From transportation networks and storage facilities to processing capacity, energy, water, and export logistics, infrastructure remains a critical enabler of future growth.

Crowley, Hewitt and White will examine the infrastructure investments needed to support the next generation of agricultural growth and value creation across Australia, exploring where bottlenecks exist, opportunities for private and institutional capital, and how infrastructure investment can improve a multitude of areas, including productivity, supply chain strength, export competitiveness, and opportunity across the agricultural value chain.

But Wait, There’s More

These sessions just scratch the surface of the thought-provoking and expertly designed panels to come. Looking for more? The GAI Australia agenda is available to peruse before you go. Kneller, moderator and panelist during the “Fireside Chat: Connecting Productivity and Stewardship” even gave GAI readers an exclusive look at her complementary session, “Getting Real About Natural Capital Investing.”

And for those looking for ways to connect and Australia-specific opportunities to explore, Queensland’s Department of Primary Industries has created a consortium of investment-ready projects for attendees to explore.

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