ABARES Regional Outlook conference | Darwin NT

At ABARES Regional Outlook conference, senior ABARES economists present the economic overview and forecasts for key agricultural commodities and farm financial performance. A range of regionally based speakers and producers discuss industry challenges and strategies for growth, investment and innovation opportunities, natural resource management, labour and water issues, plus case studies from people taking innovative approaches in their businesses.

Program

8.30am: Registration

Innovation in agriculture – capturing the opportunities

CHAIR Lydia Burton, ABC Rural
9.00am: Welcome to Country

Opening address

9.30am: Trish Gleeson, ABARES - Big picture issues affecting agriculture in the north

9.50am: Lorraine Gordon, Farming Together – Increasing returns through collaboration

10.10am: Questions and discussion

10.30am: Morning tea

Innovation in the northern cattle industry

CHAIR Lorraine Corowa, Department of Primary Industry and Resources

11.00am: Peter Collins, ABARES – Commodity outlook and issues

11.20am: Tom Ryan, NT Cattlemen’s Association – Growing the NT cattle industry: opportunities and constraints

11.40am: Tim Driver, Precision Pastoral - Using new technology profitably in the cattle industry

12.00pm: Gehan Jayawhardana, Profitable Bulls – Improving station profit through genetics

12.20pm: Questions and discussion

1.00pm: Lunch

Expanding and diversifying northern agriculture in a changing environment

CHAIR Mark Coffey, Office of Northern Australia

2.00pm: Greg Browning, Bureau of Meteorology – Climate variability and change: what might the future hold for the Northern Territory

2.20pm: Simon Smith, Northern Territory Farmer’s Association - Northern Agriculture: Food Bowl or Fools Bowled

2.40pm: Kate Peake, 2017 NT Rural Woman of the Year – Sustainable water use in northern agriculture

3.00pm: Saramat Ruchkaew, Tou’s Garden – Growing a horticulture business in the Top End

3.20pm: Questions and discussion

4.00pm: Close and afternoon tea