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Helping farmers look to the future

5 Feb 2018

For farmers, the future is everything. Whether it’s the climate, new technology, business planning or predicting what the market will do, most farmers have more than one eye on what lies ahead.

The North Central CMA and Wimmera CMA are joining forces with farmers to make this easier, by presenting the sixth annual Future Farming Expo at Donald, on Wednesday 21 February.

The expo will provide farmers and industry with new ideas and the latest information on farm management through a quality line-up of keynote presenters, local farmers and industry experts.

North Central CMA Regional Landcare Facilitator Darren Bain said the focus of this year’s expo  is  managing risk.

“Farmers, scientists and industry experts will be on hand to share their research, experience and ideas on managing risk, but also looking for opportunities to increase profit,” he said.

“One of the emerging challenges for farmers is insecticide resistance. Dr Siobhan de Little will show farmers what they can be expected to be confronted with over the next few years.

“Dr de Little will show how correct pest identification and chemical choice will be critical for future management of this problem.”

Three local famers will discuss their farming business, providing information on current issues and opportunities within each of their enterprises.

A panel session will be included to allow participants to ask farmers questions relevant to their enterprise.

“Concurrent sessions will also be a highlight again this year,” Mr Bain said.

“These  are always popular segments and once again participants will have a diverse range of topics to choose from.”

The sessions will feature information on the latest climate forecasts, soil moisture probes, technology on drones and virtual fencing, business management, succession planning and grain selling and marketing.

“Weather forecasts are always a hot topic with farmers, this year we have Dr Andrew Watkins from Bureau of Meteorology,” Mr Bain said.

“Dr Watkins has been the Manager of Climate Prediction Services since 2012 and is responsible for delivering seasonal climate outlooks and determining current and future ENSO status.

“We are very excited with this year’s line-up and have tried to put a forum together that will give farmers looking to minimise risks and explore opportunities to reduce costs to take their businesses to the next level.”

Places are strictly limited and bookings and RSVPs are essential on (03) 5448 7124 or email info@nccma.vic.gov.au  by 5 pm Friday 16 February.

The expo is a free event supported by the North Central CMA and the Wimmera CMA through funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program.

Click here for more event details 

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