Quality feed sourcing, time on pasture productivity, young dairy beef chews, mobile solar energy solutions and breeding for improved cow survival are the emerging topics as part of the ADC Innovator Award 2026 sponsored by the Gardiner Foundation. 
Five finalists have been selected to present to the ADC 2026 delegation to be held at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre 11-13 February 2026.
Submitting their pitch via a 30 second video and online interview, the field was narrowed down to those that demonstrated the greatest potential to have a ‘market-ready’ impact on Australia’s dairy industry.
Finalists will now undergo professional development and presentation training as part of the ADC Innovator Award program and will deliver a 5 minute presentation at Conference in February.
The winner will be announced at the ADC Gala Dinner on Thursday 12 February and receive a $3,000 bursary to advance and further their product development and research.
ADC 2026 Innovator Award finalists (alphabetical order):
- Daniel Carson – Alps2Ocean Foods NZ – Young dairy beef Mīti – integrated dairy-beef system producing shelf stable, high protein snack.
- Meaghan Douglas – Agriculture Victoria – Smart Feeding Project –lifting productivity and reducing effect of time away from pasture
- Tim Ford – Feed Central Local Ag – safer and more transparent farmer-to-farmer trade and marketplace.
- Majid Khansefid – Agriculture Victoria / La Trobe University – Selective breeding for improved cow survival – updating the Survival Breeding Value with genomic data and predictor traits.
- Wei-Chi Lee – Phnxx – Modular microgrid for dairies – stand-alone power systems (SAPS) for dairy farms combining solar and batteries.
ADC Programming Committee Chair and Innovator Award judge Ella Credlin said that it was fantastic to see such diversity and innovation emerging across the dairy sector.
“Entries in 2026 were really varied from research projects through to practical on-farm applications and innovative systems to help farmers make improved choices,” said Ms Credlin.
“From edible dairybeef snacks through to improved ways for dairy farmers to find quality feed and research projects looking at time away from pasture and improving cow survival – there really is an intriguing mix of innovations to consider,” she said.
“A fundamental criterion for selection was that the idea or innovation be ‘market-ready’ and available to dairy farmers within 12 months so we are really bringing in applications and ideas that can be embraced and implemented quite quickly and effectively,” she said.
“At ADC 2026 Melbourne finalists will have the opportunity to inform and educate members of the ADC 20206 delegation as a key part of the Conference program,” said Ella.
“Finalists will have the attention of the national dairy industry and regardless of who takes out the title, any research, tools or tips that can help to enhance the way we operate on Australian dairy farms is a great asset to assist the creation of a more sustainable and innovative industry,” said Ella.
Find out more about the ADC Innovators Award.