REGISTRATIONS are open for Cattle Australia’s Cattle Connect 2026 event, with the national beef event moving onto a working agricultural campus for the first time when it lands at Charles Sturt University in Wagga Wagga, NSW, on 22 and 23 October.

Now in its third year, Cattle Connect brings producers, researchers, industry leaders, agribusiness, educators and students together for two days of practical learning, innovation and industry discussion.

The 2026 event is expected to attract hundreds of people across the two days.

In 2026, Cattle Australia has partnered with Charles Sturt University as Host Partner, bringing the event onto a commercial and educational working agricultural campus.

Delegates will have access to the University’s 2,000 hectare commercial agricultural enterprise and world class research and livestock facilities, with Charles Sturt researchers and academics featuring on the program and students engaged across event delivery.

Held under the theme ‘Shaping Tomorrow: Innovation, Leadership, Action’ the event combines diverse learning and hands-on experiences delivered across two days. Day one delivers a field day and exhibition, with live demonstrations, machinery displays, farm tours and emerging agricultural technology, before closing with the Sundowner and Regional Flavours Showcase celebrating local food and wine.

Day two moves to a conference and speaker program with keynote presentations, producer panels and industry driven discussion, with networking opportunities across both days.

Cattle Australia Chief Executive Will Evans said the face-to-face opportunities to talk through the issues and new ideas are critical to support the industry to remain profitable and competitive into the future, and Cattle Connect is one of those events.

“Our industry is facing big questions on productivity, sustainability and how we stay competitive. Cattle Connect is where producers, researchers and industry come together to work through them, not in theory but on the ground.

“We expect hundreds of people across the two days, and they will leave with practical knowledge, strong connections and a clear read on our opportunities and where the industry is heading. Partnering with Charles Sturt lets us do that on a genuine working campus, where research, production and industry meet. Delegates will see innovation in the paddock, not just on a slide” Mr Evans said.

Charles Sturt Quote, Hayley Randle (Head, School of Agricultural, Environmental and Veterinary Sciences) said, “We’re excited to welcome Cattle Connect 2026 to Charles Sturt University and the opportunity to showcase why our Wagga Wagga campus is one of Australia’s leading centresfor agricultural education, research and innovation. By bringing beef industry participants onto a commercial mixed-enterprises working farm, delegates can experience firsthand how research can be translated into practical solutions that improve productivity, sustainability and the future of Australian beef production.”

“This partnership is an investment in the next generation. Our students will have the opportunity to learn directly from producers, researchers and industry leaders, gain real-world experience and build valuable networks, whilst delegates will benefit from the expertise, facilities and innovation that Charles Sturt is proud to deliver.”

Cattle Connect 2026 is expected to draw producers, industry stakeholders, researchers and students from across the country to Wagga Wagga, in the heart of the Riverina.

Registrations are open now – click here to access.