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15 June 2009
A Dry Argument: a special event in Wagga on 29 July 2009
An important event for agricultural professionals will be held in Wagga on Wednesday 29 July 2009. Comprising seminars and a panel discussion, A Dry Argument will be presented by the Australian Institute of Agricultural Science and Technology (AIAST), in conjunction with the EH Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation, Wagga Wagga City Council and other potential sponsors. Program details.
This free event is being organised by ACT and southern NSW members of AIAST, led by Emeritus Professor Ted Wolfe.
The districts in southern NSW around Wagga, once a safe region for mixed farming, are enduring an unprecedented period of low rainfall. Only time will tell whether such a sequence, affecting both dryland and irrigated farmers, is due to chance or if the sequence is a more permanent feature of local agriculture.
The objective of the meeting A Dry Argument, is to inform agricultural scientists, agribusiness, farmers, students and the public about some of the consequences of drought and examine the difficulties that farmers are having in adjusting to dry periods.
“Agricultural scientists, agribusiness and policy makers are often swept up in the technology of coping with drought and maintaining production, rather than considering their response to the ‘big picture' travails of farmers. The future of farming is a topic worthy of careful consideration by governments, organisations, corporations and farmers”, said Dr Wolfe.
At the moment there is controversy about dealing with the economic and human elements of drought. There is similar controversy amongst ‘wet' or ‘dry' advocates in responding to the world economic crisis (think of GM crops). Governments are steadily withdrawing services and support from farmers, who are struggling to cope. Many observers see the processes of adjustment continuing, and even accelerating, a long term trend to “get big or get out”. Although the exit of farmers may stabilise and even reduce land prices, providing opportunities for buyers, there will be a net loss of experience from the agricultural sector and there is no guarantee that such a strategy will be successful in the long term. The recent collapse of ‘big business' schemes in agricultural development, such as Great Southern and Waterwheel, and the continuing difficulties of established players such as Elders, have brought into focus concerns about the resilient future of the grazing, cropping and horticultural industries.
“Big operations may produce big problems”, Dr Wolfe continued.
The meeting will feature the following set of experienced speakers:
- Alexandra Gartmann, CEO, Birchip Group, will draw on research conducted for the Birchip Cropping Group's ‘Critical Breaking Point' study in Victoria, a study that revealed climate change to be a management challenge of unprecedented magnitude, presenting a serious challenge to farming families' identities.
- Helen Burns of the EH Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation at Wagga will present some findings from her preliminary analysis of the challenges facing farmers in the Lockhart and Holbrook districts.
- Yvonne Hitchenor is a project officer with the NE Riverina Rural Counselling Service As a specialist in preparing families for rural adjustment, she is in a unique position to outline the likely consequences of extended drought on farm families and businesses.
- Lloyd Kingham coordinates a NSW DPI task force to address the impacts of drought on farm families and production, providing technical and business options to help farmers adjust to climate change .
- Ruth Wade, Executive Director of the Ricegrower's Association of Australia, will outline the painful path of adjustment for the rice industry in the Murrumbidgee and Murray Valleys .
- A prominent Wagga agribusiness banker will chair the discussion sessions and sum up.
The meeting will follow a unique format. During the afternoon, starting at 2.00 pm at the CSU Convention Centre, the speakers will give detailed presentations on aspects of the topic A dry argument – adjusting to climate change. These seminars will be followed by questions and discussion. The meeting will then adjourn to the Wagga Wagga Civic Centre where, from 6.00 pm, each panel member will give a short introduction and summary and the audience will be invited to discuss the topic A dry argument – which way for rural adjustment?
Program:
2.00 pm - 4.30 pm - Seminars from farmers, researchers, advisers and agribusiness
Venue: Convention Centre, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga
6.00 pm - 7.15 pm - Interactive public discussion
Venue: Wagga Wagga Civic Centre, cnr Baylis & Morrow Streets
Enquiries:
Prof Ted Wolfe, T: 02 6922 4347 E: twolfe@csu.edu.au
(ACT/Southern NSW Division)