Breeding Horizons 2026 | ARC Training Centre in Predictive Breeding

Help shape the future of plant and animal breeding
2026

Submit an abstract by 13 September!

16–20 November
2026

University of New England
Armidale

 

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Join leading researchers and industry professionals to help shape the future of plant
and animal breeding. This dynamic symposium offers unparalleled opportunities to:

Discover groundbreaking research and visionary expertise

Hear firsthand about cutting-edge advancements from keynote speakers
and leading experts shaping the future
of the field.

Forge invaluable connections

Network with peers, potential collaborators, and industry leaders
from around the globe.

Gain practical insights and enhance your skills

Participate in interactive sessions and workshops designed to elevate
your knowledge and abilities.

Program overview

  Monday 16 November Tuesday 17 November Wednesday 18 November Thursday 19 November Friday 20 November
9:00 – 10:30 training training meeting showcase farm
11:00 – 12:30 training training meeting showcase farm
1:30 – 3:00 training training workshop showcase  
3:30 – 5:00 training training workshop showcase  
Evening network   network network  
Next-Gen Breeder Training
Centre Annual Meeting
Partnering Workshop
Showcase
Farm visits
Networking event

Next-Gen Breeder Training

The Next-Gen Breeder Training program offers intensive face-to-face training focused on the critical aspects of efficient and sustainable breeding programs—covering how to maximise genetic gain while maintaining genetic diversity. Participants will gain a solid theoretical foundation and practical skills through hands-on experience, with a focus on applying the latest theory to real breeding programs. Concepts are presented in a practical way using simple teaching tools in Excel and R, with straightforward examples to illustrate key ideas. The course covers the full selection pipeline—from defining breeding goals and translating these into traits and relative weights, through to measuring phenotypes or using genomic testing to predict breeding value, and finally optimising selection decisions across multiple traits while maintaining sufficient genetic variation.

Centre Annual Meeting

The Centre Annual Meeting will bring together members to review the past year’s activities, discuss current progress, and plan for future initiatives. This meeting provides a valuable opportunity for networking, collaboration, and strategic planning amongst researchers, industry partners, and stakeholders.

Partnering Workshop

The Partnering Workshop is designed to foster stronger connections and collaborations between public and private sectors within the plant and animal breeding community. This workshop will facilitate in-depth project discussions, strategic planning around Centre theme priorities, and the development of course priorities. It will also provide a platform to explore new partnering opportunities to drive innovation and advancement in the field.

Showcase

The Predictive Breeding Showcase will feature talks and presentations from leading experts in predictive breeding. This showcase will highlight the latest advancements, research findings, and innovative technologies shaping the future of plant and animal improvement. Attendees can expect to gain valuable insights into cutting-edge research and engage in discussions on the future of the field.

Farm visits

Step beyond the conference and into the field with exclusive farm visits that connect research with real-world application. See breeding programs in practice, explore emerging technologies on-site, and gain insight into the challenges shaping modern agriculture.

These immersive visits create opportunities to engage directly with producers, researchers, and industry professionals—bringing the science of predictive breeding to life.

Networking events

Breeding Horizons 2026 brings people together through a curated series of networking experiences designed for genuine connection.

From the Welcome BBQ and Networking Reception to the Gala Dinner, each event offers the chance to meet peers, exchange ideas, and strengthen relationships. These moments are where conversations deepen, collaborations begin, and the future of breeding takes shape.

2026 speakers

Dr

Jack Dekkers

Distinguished Professor, Iowa State University

Dr

Naomi Duijvesteijn

R&D Director Shrimp and Global Sustainability Director, Hendrix Genetics

Dr

Hannah Robinson

Researcher, Hochschule Geisenheim University

Dr.

Randall Wisser

Research Director, French National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment

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    © 2026 ARC Training Centre in Predictive Breeding for Agricultural Futures

    Made by Bright Yellow

    The ARC Training Centre in Predictive Breeding acknowledges the Traditional Owners and their custodianship of the lands on which we work. We pay our respects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders past, present and emerging.