More than 200 ag delegates from across the state will hit Sydney next week for the annual NSW Farmers conference – and we’ll be bringing it to you live.
The Land will be streaming the Association’s annual policy pow-wow on this website throughout Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, while our journos will be filing updates on the juiciest motions and panel discussions.
Association President Derek Schoen said biodiversity and biosecurity reforms – as well as LLS’ ability to deliver them – would feature, as would the future of the state’s Travelling Stock Route network and J-BAS changes.
Mr Schoen, entering the third year of his presidency, said agriculture’s recent bouyancy had been tempered by a lack of rain , but a high stock market and movement in cereal prices gave cause for optimism.
“With the decline in resources - agriculture is still in an opportune spot to fill the gap,” Mr Schoen siad.
“It is quite profitable, has moved into a high tech area, and has great prospects for jobs - especially for young people.”
This year the conference has moved from Luna Park to the Marriott at Circular Quay.
Keynote speakers over the three days include Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce, NSW Primary Industries Minister Niall Blair, Minister for Innovation and Better Regulation Matt Kean, and National Farmers’ Federation President Fiona Simson.
Three panel sessions are also scheduled:
Telecommunications panel: Rural Connectivity out in the Paddock
- Tuesday 18 July at 3:25pm
- Chair: Johanna Plante, ACCAN
- Speakers: Dan Lloyd (Vodafone), Tim O’Leary (Telstra), and Tony Bundrock (Activ8me).
Political panel: The future of Regional NSW and our Agricultural Industry
- Wednesday 19 July at 1pm.
- Chair: Sean Nicholls, Sydney Morning Herald
- Speakers: Niall Blair, MLC, Ryan Park, MP, Justin Field, MLC, Robert Brown, MLC, Paul Green, MLC
Water panel: What’s next for the Murray Darling Basin Plan
- Thursday July 20 at 10:25am
- Chair: Scott Hansen, Director General, NSW DPI.
- Speakers: Gavin Hanlon (NSW DPI) Phillip Glyde (MDBA), Steve Whan (NSW Irrigators’ Council), Perin Davey (PD Strategy), Tony Quigley (Quigley Farms)