The Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES) is heading to South Australia's Limestone Coast and the city of Mount Gambier on Wednesday 25 September to present its outlook for the region's diverse agriculture sector.
Featuring ABARES analysts, a meteorologist and speakers from around the region, the ABARES Mount Gambier Regional Outlook conference will examine issues including investing in primary industries, farm financial performance, outlook for key commodities, diversifying cropping and forestry and exploiting opportunities in livestock industries.
ABARES Chief Commodity Analyst, Peter Gooday, encouraged locals involved in agriculture to attend and gain important insights into what lies ahead for the sector.
"Having access to the latest commodity data is a key planning tool for farmers," Mr Gooday said.
"The South East region has a strong and diverse agricultural sector. In 2017-18, the gross value of agricultural production in the region was $3.3 billion. That's 51 per cent of the total gross value of agricultural production in South Australia, which was $6.6 billion.
"The most important commodities in the region-based on the gross value of agricultural production- were wine grapes at $383 million, cattle and calves at $342 million then wool at $290 million.
"The conference will be a great forum for delegates to network and update their industry knowledge. It's an opportunity for those active in agriculture and regional development to meet and discuss key regional issues.
"Attendees will have the opportunity to share common issues, ask questions of the speakers and consider new approaches to traditional issues."
Speakers include:
- Peter Gooday, ABARES - National and international issues affecting South Australia
- Luke Shelley, Bureau of Meteorology - State of the climate
- Nathan Pitts, ABARES - Commodity outlook and issues
- Peter Stock, Limestone Coast Red Meat Cluster
- Graeme Hamilton, Hamilton's Run - A dairy farmer's view point
- Stuart Peevor, Waterfind - Making groundwater markets work well
- Lachlan Seears, Boonderoo Pastoral Company / Nuffield Scholar - Risk v. reward when looking to value add on farm
- Tammy Auld, National Institute for Forest Products Innovation Mount Gambier Centre - Top 10 innovations growing the Green Triangle forest and timber industry
- Sue Bell, Bellwether Wines.
ABARES is pleased to welcome Primary Industries and Regions SA (PIRSA) as a conference partner for this event. PIRSA is a key economic development agency in the Government of South Australia, with responsibility for the prosperity of the state's primary industries and regions.
The Mount Gambier Regional Outlook conference is on Wednesday 25 September at City Hall, The Main Corner Complex, 1 Bay Road in Mount Gambier, South Australia.
The conference is free to attend but pre-event registration is essential. For the full program and to register visit www.agriculture.gov.au/abares/regional. For enquiries, email [email protected].
Background
- At each Regional Outlook conference, senior ABARES analysts present the economic overview and forecasts for relevant 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, plus case studies from people taking innovative approaches in their businesses.
- Join others from across your region to hear commodity forecasts, discuss industry trends, access information and make new contacts in your community that can encourage new approaches to traditional issues.
- Delegates include producers, bankers, consultants and other service providers, rural counsellors, local business owners, state and local government staff, regional development groups and others with an interest in their region.
