ABARES is hosting the Launceston Regional Outlook Conference in 28 September 2011, which will feature 12 guest speakers across four sessions.
This one day conference will feature discussions on commodity forecasts, industry trends, access information, as well as an opportunity for individuals to make new contacts in the community and discover new approaches to traditional issues, while gaining an understanding of global issues that affect the region.
The four sessions featured in the Regional Outlook Conference include:
Global economy – local impacts
ABC Rural’s Sally Dakis will chair the opening session as Terry Sheales, ABARES, discusses National and international issues affecting the region and Westpac’s Greg Coughlan presents Rural finance – a banker’s perspective.
Toward a more productive agriculture
Michele Moseley from the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment TAS will chair proceedings as Gwen Rees, ABARES, discusses Commodity outlook and farm performance, Dairy Australia’s Jo Bills talks about Rebooting growth in the dairy industry, Paul Lambert, P&N Dairies, presents Dairy farming in the future and Paul Swan from Australian Wool Innovation concludes the session with Fibres of the future – a long term view.
Operating in a changing environment
James McKee from NRM North is chairing the third session as Beau Hug from ABARES presents Carbon farming opportunities, the Bureau of Meteorology’s Ian Barnes-Keoghan examines Weather and climate – looking forward, looking back and Matthew Pitt, Climate champion from Cluny, Ouse, discusses how The wet times are a bonus.
Developing business opportunities in the region
Chairing the final session is Jackie Brown from Bridgewater High School Farm and winner of the 2011 Tasmanian RIRDC Rural Woman’s Award. Speakers include Lucy Gregg from Fruit Growers Tasmania on Resilience, relevance and responsiveness, Robert Dent, Tas Global Seeds, on Seeds for success - a growing business and Moores Hill Estate’s Fiona Weller Telling the tale of the Tamar Valley wine route.
For more information on the Launceston Regional Outlook Conference, visit the ABARES website.