Seed Business Convention 2023

Seed Business 2023

What a great time we shared in Adelaide for Seed Business 2023. Our thanks to every one of the 160+ people who attended over the four days. We hope you got just as much out of it as we did.

At the Gala Dinner we honoured three individuals with Life Membership to ASF. Mike Gout, Bruce Guy and Marcia Taylor were all recognised for their extraordinary contributions to our industry over their careers.

The inaugural President’s Award was also celebrated last week with Immediate Past President, Tim Pepper, honouring Michael Leader with the Award. Michael has no doubt gone above and beyond for the seed industry representing ASF most capably at both the domestic and international level.

The conference program component of Seed Business was well attended. Attendees were able to hear latest updates on industry trends and issues as well as perspectives from other industries. We thank the speakers who gave their time so willingly.

Another highlight was our second Women in Seed event which sold out yet again. We’re already in discussions about growing that network to ensure a diverse seed industry into the future.

Without the generous support of our sponsors and exhibitors, Seed Business would not be possible. The additional sponsorship we received this year allowed us to add some extra elements like a coffee cart and photographer for the Gala Dinner, both of which added to the overall feel of the Convention.

Seed Business is an annual 3-day industry convention  traditionally held in late August in various locations around Australia.

The Convention is the highlight event for Australian Seed Federation (ASF) members to network with other businesses within the seed and agriculture industry. The Convention is also an opportunity for ASF members to engage on industry issues and policy development.

Seed Business Convention 2022

It was great to get back together again after a 3-year hiatus to the ASF Seed Business Convention 2022. Held on 17-18 August at the Hilton, Brisbane, the convention is the premier event on the seed industry calendar. 120 delegates from across Australia representing over 60 seed and agriculture companies, came together to hear from industry speakers, network, and catch up over a drink or two at the social events.

Tim Pepper, the outgoing ASF President welcomed delegates; “It has been a tumultuous three years since we last gathered as an industry, and as my tenure as ASF President draws to a close, I would like to reflect on what brings us together as an association… a mutual passion for a seed industry that drives productivity and sustainability in Australia and around the world.”

Over the 3-day event, convention delegates were immersed in the breadth and diversity of the Australian seed industry, from industry education and training, through leadership, domestic and international seed health priorities, intellectual property reform, stewardship initiatives and international aid programs. It was a jam-packed agenda, but there was plenty of time for social gatherings, business meetings and networking.

Read the full wrap-up here: ASF Seed Business Convention 2022 Wrap-Up

Seed Business Convention 2019

The ASF Seed Business 2019 Convention held from 20-22 August saw a strong attendance in having 7 exhibitors and 110 delegates with 59 companies represented. Delegates and Partners met at the Oaks Elan Darwin for two eventful days that included speaker sessions, networking, group meetings, social events, and pre/post-convention agricultural and Northern Territory activities. It is the first time the ASF Convention has been held in Darwin where delegates could explore the Top End and learn about industry in the Territory.

The two-day ASF Seed Business event presented seed members the opportunity to discuss industry issues, debate hot topics and raise areas of mutual concern, as well as network and learn from each other…Read the full article click on Seed Business 2019 Convention Report.

Seed Business Convention 2018

The two-day ASF 2018 Seed Business event presented seed members the opportunity to discuss industry issues, debate hot topics and raise areas of mutual concern, as well as network and learn from each other.

The ASF Seed Business 2018 Convention started with the Welcome Drinks Cocktail Reception where delegates made their way to St Kilda in Melbourne and mingled with sponsors, exhibitors and partners at the Novotel Hotel – Esplanade Diner & Bar.
Thank you to Colquhoun’s (ASF Silver Corporate Sponsor) in sponsoring the event and to Bob Adams who provided a brief presentation during the night.

The Convention officially opened by David Jochinke, Vice President of the National Farmers Federation who addressed delegates and spoke about the challenges the agriculture industry face and the importance of the seed industry.
Delegates were also welcomed by the opening of the Trade Show. This year’s Trade show saw a varied number of exhibitors including Colquhoun’s (ASF Silver Corporate Sponsor), DTS Seed Assurance (ASF Bronze Corporate Sponsor), PETKUS Australia Pacific, AgEtal, and Pope Packaging.

The 2018 program had a number of important speakers who presented on a variety of industry matters and updates allowing delegates to be informed and discuss issues within the industry…Full text – Click here

To view photos from the event please click on the following link Seed Business 2018 Convention Photos

Seed Business Convention 2017

The ASF Seed Business 2017 Convention held from 22-24 August saw a great attendance in having 7 exhibitors and 115 delegates with 70 companies represented. Delegates met in the heart of Adelaide at the Stamford Plaza Hotel for three eventful days that included a training day, speaker sessions, networking, group meetings, social events and recognising a seed member who has contributed vastly to the industry…Full Text – Click here

To view photos from the event please click on the below links

• Seed Business 2017 Convention & Training Day Photos
• Welcome Drinks & Gala Dinner Photos

Seed Business Convention 2016

The stage was set for the seed industry’s biggest event, with delegates making their way to Rydges Melbourne for the ASF Seed Business 2016 Convention and Training Day. The two-to-three day event presented seed members and new entrants the opportunity to discuss industry issues, debate hot topics and raise areas of mutual concern, as well as network and learn from each other.

The ASF Seed Industry Training Day held in conjunction with the Convention, was very popular in having slightly over 50 participants and 13 speakers, once again showing the importance of training and education within the seed industry. Participants took part in various specialised sessions hearing from speakers present on all areas within the seed supply chain…full text – Click here

To view photos from the event please click on the below link:
Seed Business 2016 Convention & Training Day Photos

Seed Business Convention 2015

The ASF Seed Business 2015 Convention was held at the City Golf Club in Toowoomba, Queensland. Toowoomba provided a great opportunity and location for the Australian seed industry to take stock of the important role that it plays in underpinning Queensland’s primary industries and allowed delegates to explore the agricultural region and its surroundings.

Over the two-days of Convention delegates, partners, sponsors and exhibitors soaked up the region whilst participating on hot topics and hearing discussions about new Biotechnology and Northern Agriculture…

Seed Business Awards 2015

Golf Awards

• Overall Winner – Blair Jepson
• Nearest to the pin – Steve Brill
• Longest Drive – Ken Cunliffe
• Most Shots of the Day – Steve Rigney

Tenpin Bowling Awards:

• Winner – Josh Rasheed
• ‘Not a Tenpin Bowler’ award – Laurie Meyer

Seed Business Convention 2014

The ASF Seed Business 2014 Convention was held at The SS&A Club Albury, NSW with a strong attendance of 120 delegates. Albury turned on the weather providing lovely sunny days for the week of Convention that saw delegates, partners, sponsors and exhibitors soaking up the sunshine and enjoying the regional area.

A first for the ASF was the introduction of a Seed Industry Training Day as part of the annual Convention which took place on Tuesday and attracted a record attendance of more than 70 participants. It was great to see such a strong attendance to the Training Day and a large number of specialised speakers who provided an informative and overall introduction of the seed industry. This has given the ASF a platform to build on in further educating and providing training in the future to new entrants and to members within the seed and agriculture industry…

    –   Full article ⇒ Click Here

    –   Seed Business 2014 Convention Photos Part 1 ⇒ Click Here

    –   Seed Business 2014 Convention Photos Part 2 ⇒ Click Here