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15 May 2007 |
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| Tomorrow - ABARE's Regional OUTLOOK conference in Goondiwindi |
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| With a diverse range of speakers and perspectives, ABARE's Goondiwindi Regional OUTLOOK conference will explore water management, commodity forecasts, effects of climate trends, building regional business and exporting from the region. The Goondiwindi Regional OUTLOOK conference, on Wednesday 16 May, is a valuable forum to access market assessments and forecasts for a range of agricultural industries, with local and ABARE speakers presenting on these issues. The conference"s opening address will be delivered by the Hon Bruce Scott, MP, Member for Maranoa. ABARE Executive Director, Phillip Glyde will deliver the global commodity overview, while Amelia Brown, commodity analyst, ABARE, will explore the OUTLOOK for crops and livestock. Andrew Hodges, a research economist with ABARE, will be discussing natural resource management on southern Queensland farms in session three. Other speakers include Rod Fraser, NAB on on-farm risk management; Pete Mailler, Booroora on the challenges of a changing operating environment; and Mark Ladner from Berraford Pty Ltd on seizing opportunities to value add. In session three, natural resource management, Ann Farrell from the Bureau of Meteorology will explore drivers of weather and climate trends and Michelle Ward, Girraween on natural resource management: producers making it work. The final session, exporting from regional Australia, includes Craig Burns, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry on reaping gains for Australian farmers in a competitive global market; Sam Coulton, Goondiwindi Cotton on challenges of building a business in regional Australia and concludes with Chris Bazley from Pacific Seeds on exports shaping regional business. Conference registration is $77, including conference admission, copies of available speakers' papers, lunch and morning and afternoon tea. Registration for media is complimentary. Date: Wednesday 16 May, 2007 Venue: Goondiwindi Waggamba Community Cultural Centre, cnr Russell and Short Streets, Goondiwindi, NSW Time: Registration from 8.30am, conference 9.00am – 5.00pm Cost: $77 pp (inc GST) Contact: Erica Bruen, ABARE on mobile 0408 487 825 or CDMA 0427 917 815. Download the conference program at www.abare.gov.au/regional/ |
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| For media interviews and comment, please contact Regional OUTLOOK regional conference spokesperson Vince O"Donnell on mobile 0419 303 639. For general media enquiries, contact Maree Finnegan, Media Coordinator on 02 6272 2260, mobile 0417 689 567 or email mfinnegan@abare.gov.au. |
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