Key ag issues up for debate at second GROWING SA Conference

Registrations are open for the second GROWING SA conference, featuring an exciting line-up of speakers, including Minister for Primary Industries Tim Whetstone, and receiving huge support from industry sponsors.

This year’s conference – hosted by Grain Producers SA and Livestock SA – is set for Friday 14 September at the Adelaide Hills Convention Centre, Hahndorf, and features core themes in farm business management, policy and advocacy, and industry growth.

Other key speakers include:

• Wes Lefroy, Rabobank, on emerging trends in commodity markets.
• Dr Stuart Smyth, University of Saskatchewan, on benefits of genetically modified crops.
• Lisa Sharp, Meat & Livestock Australia, on how producers can ‘meat’ market demand.
• Andrew Whitelaw, Mecardo, with analysis of price premiums under the South Australian GM moratorium.
• Simon Vogt, Rural Directions, on profit drivers in livestock and mixed farm businesses.
• Sydney Lawrie, WoolPoll 2018, on voting for the levy percent on wool.

Major sponsors for 2018 include Grains Research & Development Corporation and Meat & Livestock Australia as gold sponsors, Rabobank as silver sponsor, Rural Business Support as breakfast sponsor, and Agricultural Biotechnology Council of Australia as speaker sponsor.

Sponsors supporting the event include Quality Wool, Commander Ag, Spanlift, Viterra, WFI Insurance, Tru-Test, Small Business Commissioner, Australian Wool Innovation, PIRSA, Elders, Centre State Exports and Robinson Sewell.

Livestock SA chief executive officer Andrew Curtis says the support from industry for the event has been fantastic.

“Last year’s event was a sell-out and on the back of that brilliant support, we have been really pleased with interest in this year’s conference, which combined with a great program, means GROWING SA is a must-attend event,” he said.

“From a livestock point of view, we have sheep, cattle and wool covered with key presentations in each and, after a year of consultation, the SA Beef Blueprint will be launched which maps the industry’s future growth and development.”

From a grains perspective, GPSA CEO Caroline Rhodes says its core focus is on exploring how GM crops can fit into South Australian production systems, in advance of the independent review of the moratorium this year.

“We are looking forward to having Dr Stuart Smyth join us from Canada to outline how GM crops are revolutionising production systems and marketing options internationally,” she said.

“We will also explore the lack of premiums for non-GM and provide practical insight from interstate on how GMs can be used.

“I am thrilled to confirm that GPSA will officially launch its new initiative for young grain producers, called GPSA Emerging Leaders, and more information will be provided at GROWING SA.

“Last year’s event was a sold out so we are encouraging delegates to register early to avoid disappointment – the venue size is capped and so tickets are limited.”

Both Livestock SA and Grain Producers SA will hold their annual general meetings as part of GROWING SA which will include updates on key projects and election results.

The full program and links to registration are on the GROWING SA website at Growing SA