Hundreds gather at Boolah Trial Farm Field Day to see how data is shaping the future of farming 🌱
Published: 10 September 2025
Despite wet conditions in Pallamallawa, more than 400 growers, agronomists and industry leaders came together for the 2025 Boolah Trial Farm Field Day - a day that highlighted how collaboration, innovation and good data are driving profitable, lower-emissions farming systems across Australia.
Held under the theme “Dirt to Data,” the event showcased Boolah’s commercial-scale regenerative trials and the growing momentum behind data-driven decision making in agriculture. From soil biology to fertiliser strategies and carbon measurement, the focus was on practical insights that farmers can use to lift both productivity and sustainability.
A day built on collaboration
Boolah CEO and Founder Stuart Tighe said the day was a reminder that the industry’s strength lies in working together.
“The quicker we come together, the stronger the industry will be,” he said.
“Boolah is built on collaboration with commercial partners and trial participants, because no single product or practice is a silver bullet. The value lies in combining the right tools and data to deliver both economic and environmental returns.”
Operating 23 replicated trials across 1,000 hectares and another 39 demonstration trials over 8,500 hectares, Boolah is now Australia’s largest commercial-scale regenerative trial farm. Its goal: to reduce emissions and build carbon while maintaining yield and quality.
Regen4real leading the charge
Head of Research and Development Brooke Sauer used the event to introduce Boolah’s newly launched Regen4real Program - a 72-metric sustainability framework built to global standards - and to announce Boolah’s emissions targets.
“We’re committed to reducing emissions by 30 per cent by 2030 and reaching net zero by 2050,” Brooke said.
“Regen4real is designed to make data simple, verifiable and useful for everyone - helping farmers and partners alike measure real progress.”
Through the program, Boolah already reports against 21 indicators for partners such as Asahi Beverages, covering areas like land and water management, resource use and productivity.
Industry leaders back data-driven change
A panel session brought together voices from across the supply chain, exploring the value of data for ESG reporting and future market opportunities.
Cameron Wilson, General Manager of Raw Materials Procurement at Asahi Beverages, spoke about the pressures on supply chains and the shift in consumer expectations.
“If two products are price equivalent, consumers will pick the sustainable one. Our way forward is innovative thinking and partnerships - that’s what Boolah provides.”
Philip Robinson, President – APAC at Barrett Burston Malting, said Boolah’s trials offer “practical experience of what happens when you apply these practices to day-to-day operations,” helping balance profitability and sustainability.
Craig Baillie, General Manager of Applied Research, Development & Extension at GRDC, highlighted a $75 million investment into sustainability initiatives over the next two years.
“It’s all about people, profit and planet,” he said.
Richard Heath, CEO of the Zero Net Emissions Agriculture CRC, reinforced that profitability must remain central to the emissions conversation:
“Profitable and productive - don’t reduce emissions at the removal of these.”
From dirt to data - and beyond
The day ended with networking and a beer brewed from barley grown on the Boolah trial farm - a fitting toast to the theme of turning research into real-world value.
The Boolah Trial Farm continues to grow its network of partners, trials and data insights, driving the next generation of sustainable, commercially viable farming systems.
🌱 More Details About the Field Day