Fodder for thought at conference

The Australian Fodder Industry Association (AFIA) welcomes anybody involved in the hay and silage industry to go to this year's event.

The conference, now in its 18th year, aims to bring together stakeholders in Australia's fodder industry, to explore new technology and find new ways to improve their businesses.

AFIA executive officer Darren Keating said the Australian fodder industry was worth more than $1.5 billion and the conference represented an important chance to gather and discuss ways forward for the industry.

"Regular National Fodder Conference attendees will know this is the only platform in Australia that focuses on issues and opportunities affecting Australia's hay and silage industries," Mr Keating said.

"It provides an opportunity to discuss industry issues, learn about the latest in fodder technology and hear from local and international speakers presenting on all things fodder related.

"Every National Fodder Conference spawns a raft of new of ideas, opportunities and friendships, as well as sets the focus for AFIA's work for the coming year."

This year's program includes guest speakers, workshops and panel sessions built around the theme "pushing the boundaries".

The program will kick off with Paul Higgins from Emergent Futures speaking about the future of agriculture in Australia.

Mr Higgins promises to provide a different perspective on the topic, having been a dairy cattle veterinarian, an abattoir manager, a pork farmer, and an agribusiness consultant before becoming a futurist with Emergent Futures.

His presentation will focus on how farmers can adapt their thinking to take advantage of technology and ensure businesses are ready for future challenges.

The program also features two international guests; dairy farmer and New Zealand Young Farmers chairman Cole Groves (pictured right), and David Staheli, of Staheli West, Utah, US.

Mr Groves will speak about bringing the next generation back to the farm and the role his organisation played to address this issue in New Zealand.

Mr Staheli (pictured right), the founder of Staheli West, will speak about the revolutionary DewPoint technology, an in-paddock steam injection process for hay.

The technology enables commercial hay growers to bale hay any time the crop is sufficiently dry, without the need for natural dew.

The DewPoint 6610 - now available in Australia - operates by injecting steam into the hay as it is lifted from the windrow by the baler pickup and further steam is added as it passes through the feed chamber of the baler.

Conference goers will also hear from a young Australian, Corbin Schuster, who will give his insights into the future of the Australian fodder industry.

Mr Schuster, who mainly produces hay for the domestic horse market on his family's farm near Freeling, has insights to share from his time as recipient of the 2011 AFIA Leadership Award and his experiences representing Australia at the Global Youth Ag summit in 2013.

Mr Keating is calling on anybody interested in round bale silage or fodder transport to participate in the workshops running on the first day of the conference.

The round bale silage and fodder transport workshops will follow the first AFIA contractors workshop, a forum for AFIA members who are hay and silage contractors.

"Contractors play an important role in the fodder industry, and we need to make sure we support their businesses to continue to grow the fodder industry," Mr Keating said.

"AFIA staff will be actively involved in the discussions and taking away actions that require further work by the association.

"These kinds of discussions are really important to AFIA as a tool to ensure we are working on the things that matter to our members and the wider fodder industry."

AFIA board member Frank McRae said the workshops would be an invaluable opportunity for networking.

"It's important to have a good network between growers and contractors, and the workshop at the conference will give everybody a chance to compare notes on all aspects of their operations."