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24 July 2007 |
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| Tomorrow – ABARE's Regional OUTLOOK conference in Gippsland |
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| With a diverse range of speakers and perspectives, ABARE's Gippsland Regional OUTLOOK conference will explore the global commodity overview, farm performance, weather and climate trends, improving on-farm productivity, exporting and value adding in the region, across four sessions and 14 speakers. The Gippsland Regional OUTLOOK conference, on Wednesday 25 July, 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 Peter McGauran, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry at 9.00am. In the opening session ABARE Executive Director Phillip Glyde will deliver the global commodity overview, and NAB"s Rod Fraser will explore on-farm risk management. Delegates at session two – opportunities and challenges in agriculture – will hear from Vince O"Donnell, ABARE commodity OUTLOOK manager on OUTLOOK and farm performance; David Egerton-Warburton, from Agrimaster on adapting to change; and Penny Luckock from Sunnybank, on changing practices to meet market demand. The final speaker is Ron Paynter, from Paynter Farms discussing improving on farm productivity. Session three focuses on resource management and climate change, with the Bureau of Meteorology"s Mark Williams discussing drivers of weather and climate trends; Trevor Caithness of Kingtore exploring adapting to a changing environment; and John and Robyn Ive from Talaheni on farming under landscape and climate change. The conference concludes with session four that looks at exporting and value adding in the region. Speakers include Bruce Bowen from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry on creating opportunities in a competitive global market; Mark Millis, from Flavorite discussing opportunities to value add in the region; Tom Davies, Lakes Entrance Fishermen"s Co-Operative Society on the challenges of expanding export markets and concluding with Nick Murray from Auswest Timbers on value adding and resource utilisation. 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 25 July 2007 Venue: Quality Inn Bellevue, 201 Esplanade, Lakes Entrance, Vic Time: Registration from 8.30am, conference 9.00am – 5.00pm Cost: $77 pp (inc GST) Contact: Maree Finnegan, ABARE on mobile 0417 689 567. Download the conference program at www.abare.gov.au/regional |
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| For media interviews and comment, please contact Vince O"Donnell, ABARE commodity OUTLOOK manager 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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