Thursday 17, July 2025 – Farmers know timing is everything – and in an emergency, connectivity can be the difference between life and death. That’s the hard truth driving a headline session at this year’s FutureAg Expo, with a powerful panel exploring how digital infrastructure is transforming safety on Australian farms.
Held at the Melbourne Showgrounds from 6–8 August 2025, the FutureAg Expo’s opening-day feature, Emergency-Ready: Keeping Farms Connected When It Counts, brings together leading voices from across the tech and ag sectors, and leading the conversation is Jennifer Medway, General Manager of the Regional Tech Hub.
“We know that connectivity is no longer a ‘nice to have’- it’s an essential part of modern farming. This session is about more than technology; it’s about protecting lives and livelihoods,” said Mike Nissen, Commercial Director at Hannover Fairs.
“Whether it’s calling for help in a medical emergency, monitoring remote infrastructure, or receiving real-time weather alerts, being connected can make all the difference.
“We’re proud to bring this conversation to this year’s FutureAg Expo, because safety on farm starts with access to the right digital tools.”
More than 60 per cent of all on-farm fatalities in the past decade occurred in remote or regional areas with limited access to emergency services (Farmsafe Australia, 2022) and this panel will unpack the growing role connectivity plays in enabling emergency response, accident prevention and resilient operations across Australia.
“We know that staying connected is vital for safety, education, business and play,” said Jennifer Medway, General Manager of the Regional Tech Hub.
“Connectivity doesn’t just mean access to health services or remote education, but also the ability to implement Ag tech solutions.”
The Regional Tech Hub, funded by the Australian Government and run by the National Farmers’ Federation, provides free, independent advice on digital options - from mobile and satellite to fixed wireless - for farming families navigating connectivity in the bush.
“From enabling remote water monitoring in the Northern Territory to helping families install farm security systems in Central Queensland, the right tech at the right time can save lives and livelihoods.”
With over 80 per cent of Australian farms experiencing at least one major natural disaster in the last five years (ABARES, 2023), FutureAg Expo’s Emergency-Ready panel is set to spotlight the urgent need for stronger networks and smarter systems - backed by practical tools producers can use right now.
“Infrastructure is the foundation of connectivity, and we understand that regional and remote communities are not only geographically dispersed but often heavily reliant on digital access for health, safety, business and education,” said Mr Nissen.
“We need to continue the conversation to ensure a future where all Australians can rely on secure, fast and resilient communications, no matter where they live or work.”
For more information about the Emergency-Ready: Keeping Farms Connected When It Counts panel or to see FutureAg Expo’s full program, visit futureagexpo.com.au.
