Events
Australian Crop Breeders are involved in various events during the year, to support and promote the Australian field crop industry.
Breeders Week 2026
Breeders Week 2026 will be held 4–6 August 2026 at the Gold Coast.
ACB Breeders Week 2026 will again bring together field crop breeders, researchers, business and industry for this flagship annual event.
ACB Members and those interested in Australian field crop breeding are invited to join us again this year from Tuesday 4 to Thursday 6 August 2026 at the Mantra Legends Surfers Paradise at the Gold Coast.
A top-line agenda is included below - individual days have distinct themes and topics to allow delegates to focus their attendance depending on your areas of interest.
ACB Members and those interested in Australian field crop breeding are invited to join us again this year from Tuesday 4 to Thursday 6 August 2026 at the Mantra Legends Surfers Paradise at the Gold Coast.
A top-line agenda is included below - individual days have distinct themes and topics to allow delegates to focus their attendance depending on your areas of interest.
Explore ACB Breeders Week 2024
DAY 1: MEMBERS DAYTickets for Members Day on Tuesday 4 August 2026 are open to ACB Member company employees and invited guests only. You will require a link which has been provided via email or can be obtained by contacting your ACB Member Representative.
DAYS 2-3 and the Sundowner Showcase: OPENGeneral Admission tickets are available for Days 2 and 3 and the Sundowner Showcase. The sessions highlighted blue are restricted to ACB Members and invited guests only. Book your tickets here.
SUNDOWNER SHOWCASE - Wednesday, 5th August from 6-8pmThe Showcase Sundowner introduces a refreshed, more flexible way to connect during Breeders Week. Rather than a formal dinner event, the sundowner offers a relaxed networking showcase that brings together plant breeders, researchers, industry leaders and students.
Designed to foster meaningful industry connections and highlight emerging talent, the Showcase Sundowner provides opportunities to engage directly with current challenges, innovation and professional networks in plant breeding. Students will present their research through poster displays, encouraging discussion, knowledge exchange and industry engagement.
Ticket prices include canapés and limited drinks, making the sundowner an ideal lead‑in to an evening out while maximising opportunities to connect.
The evening aims to build long‑term capability in plant breeding by exposing motivated students to real‑world industry perspectives, innovation and enduring professional networks. Students – to display your research and stand by your poster at the Sundowner Showcase, please fill out this form by 5pm Thursday 25 June 2026. The R&D Committee will be selecting posters and you will be informed of the outcome on the 6 July 2026.
Registrations for BW2026 tickets close on Friday 17 July 2026.
ACB BW2026 SPONSORED STUDENT AWARDSWith the support of external sponsors, BW2026 is offering Sponsored Student Awards to assist students with registration costs. Award recipients receive complimentary access to the BW2026 open sessions (5–6 August) and the Sundowner Showcase, providing opportunities to engage with plant breeders, researchers and industry leaders. Students will also present their research via a poster at the Sundowner Showcase.
These awards aim to build long‑term capability by exposing motivated students to current challenges, innovation and professional networks within plant breeding.
Eligibility Applicants must:• Be an undergraduate or postgraduate student in a relevant discipline• Be available to attend BW2026 on 5–6 August 2026• Attend and present during the Sundowner Session
Selection & Evidence • Applications are assessed by the ACB Research & Development Committee• An application form will be available to submit Awards Available • GRDC – 5 Sponsored Student Awards• AgriFutures - 5 Sponsored Student Awards (rice focused) Expressions of interestTo apply for an award please follow the link and fill out by 5pm Thursday 25 June 2026 with your Poster title and simple abstract to ensure a poster board is available. The R&D Committee will be selecting students to receive a student award and present a poster, and you will be informed of the outcome on the 6 July 2026.
AGENDA OVERVIEW
DAYS 2-3 and the Sundowner Showcase: OPENGeneral Admission tickets are available for Days 2 and 3 and the Sundowner Showcase. The sessions highlighted blue are restricted to ACB Members and invited guests only. Book your tickets here.
SUNDOWNER SHOWCASE - Wednesday, 5th August from 6-8pmThe Showcase Sundowner introduces a refreshed, more flexible way to connect during Breeders Week. Rather than a formal dinner event, the sundowner offers a relaxed networking showcase that brings together plant breeders, researchers, industry leaders and students.
Designed to foster meaningful industry connections and highlight emerging talent, the Showcase Sundowner provides opportunities to engage directly with current challenges, innovation and professional networks in plant breeding. Students will present their research through poster displays, encouraging discussion, knowledge exchange and industry engagement.
Ticket prices include canapés and limited drinks, making the sundowner an ideal lead‑in to an evening out while maximising opportunities to connect.
The evening aims to build long‑term capability in plant breeding by exposing motivated students to real‑world industry perspectives, innovation and enduring professional networks. Students – to display your research and stand by your poster at the Sundowner Showcase, please fill out this form by 5pm Thursday 25 June 2026. The R&D Committee will be selecting posters and you will be informed of the outcome on the 6 July 2026.
Registrations for BW2026 tickets close on Friday 17 July 2026.
ACB BW2026 SPONSORED STUDENT AWARDSWith the support of external sponsors, BW2026 is offering Sponsored Student Awards to assist students with registration costs. Award recipients receive complimentary access to the BW2026 open sessions (5–6 August) and the Sundowner Showcase, providing opportunities to engage with plant breeders, researchers and industry leaders. Students will also present their research via a poster at the Sundowner Showcase.
These awards aim to build long‑term capability by exposing motivated students to current challenges, innovation and professional networks within plant breeding.
Eligibility Applicants must:• Be an undergraduate or postgraduate student in a relevant discipline• Be available to attend BW2026 on 5–6 August 2026• Attend and present during the Sundowner Session
Selection & Evidence • Applications are assessed by the ACB Research & Development Committee• An application form will be available to submit Awards Available • GRDC – 5 Sponsored Student Awards• AgriFutures - 5 Sponsored Student Awards (rice focused) Expressions of interestTo apply for an award please follow the link and fill out by 5pm Thursday 25 June 2026 with your Poster title and simple abstract to ensure a poster board is available. The R&D Committee will be selecting students to receive a student award and present a poster, and you will be informed of the outcome on the 6 July 2026.
AGENDA OVERVIEW
