AbstractS
The 2-Step Process for submitting a paper at the 2026 Agronomy Australia Conference
Step 1: 150-Word EOI Research Summary
Close 6 October 2025Researchers are invited to submit an expression of interest comprising the draft title and 150-word description of their planned research paper(s) in place of the previously used conference abstract. This is designed to provide the program committee with enough detail of proposed papers to develop the draft program, reduce the workload for researchers and streamline the editorial process. The closing date for the EOI title and paragraph is 6 October, 2025.
Please use this link below to submit your expression of interest:
Note: To register your 150-word EOI research summary you must supply the following information via the conference portal.
- Author name(s)
- Primary author contact details
- Draft title of paper
- 150 word summary of your research addressing the following four questions
- What is the problem and why it is important?
- What did you do about it?
- What did you find (key results)?
- What are the implications for practice?
Step 2: 2-4 page Research Paper
Close 24 February 2026Upon successful EOI in step 1, authors are
required to submit a two to four page paper using the format for previous conferences.
Instructions for authors will be provided via email. If you are unable to meet
the February 24 deadline, please contact the conference manager immediately rather
than after the deadline to discuss available options.
Key Dates:
6 October 2025 - EOI submissions close
24 February 2026 - Research Paper submissions close
27 April 2026 - Final result announced
1 May 2026 - Presenter registration close
18 May 2026 - PowerPoint Presentations due
2026 Conference Theme: ‘Agronomy for a diverse future’
Sub-themes:
1. Crop Diversity
- Species diversity: Growing different crops (e.g., cereals, legumes, oilseeds, cotton, horticulture, chia, hemp) rather than relying on a single dominant species.
- Varietal diversity: Using different cultivars within a crop species to spread risk and suit varying conditions.
- Temporal diversity: Rotating crops seasonally to improve soil health and reduce pest and disease pressure.
2. Farming Systems Diversity
- Mixed farming: Combining cropping and livestock systems.
- Agroforestry: Integrating trees and shrubs into cropping systems.
- Intercropping: Growing two or more crops together in the same field.
- Conservation agriculture: Using techniques like minimum tillage, cover cropping, and residue retention.
3. Landscape and Regional Diversity
- Adapting agronomy to diverse climatic zones, soil types, and landscapes—especially relevant in regions like Northern Australia.
- Recognising and incorporating Indigenous land management knowledge and regional practices.
- Timor Leste
- China
4. Knowledge and Expertise Diversity
- Involving multidisciplinary science—plant physiology, soil science, data science, entomology, etc.
- Integrating perspectives from farmers, researchers, agribusiness, and policy makers.
- Promoting diversity in the agronomy workforce (age, gender, background).
5. Technological and Innovation Diversity
- Using a range of tools: digital ag, remote sensing, AI, genomics, mechanisation tailored to different scales..
- Applying different management strategies depending on system needs (precision ag vs low-input systems)
Acknowledgement of Country
The Australian Agronomy Society acknowledges the Larrakia people, the Traditional Custodians of the land on which the 2026 Australian Agronomy Conference will be held in Darwin. We recognise their enduring connection to land, sea, and community, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present. We extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples joining us for this event and throughout Australia.