Dinners/Events

Australian CliMate is a great resource for farmers and is available on the Web or you can download the app for any Iphone/Ipad device. CliMate allows you to interrogate climate records to ask questions relating to rainfall, temperature, radiation, and derived variables such as heat sums, soil water and soil nitrate, and well as El Nino Southern Oscillation status. www.australianclimate.net.au/

Graeme Anderson, spoke at our 8 September Dinner, and is promoting this tool as an asset to farmers. Graeme is a leading science communicator and extension leader within Victoria’s Primary Industries sector. He is currently DEDJTR’s Climate Extension Specialist leading an innovative program that has created products such as the ClimateDogs, seasonal risk products & capability development programs. He is passionate about assisting agriculture leaders and rural communities in making sense of the growing climate, seasonal risk and carbon farming story, we can “Make decisions today, that leave us better off in future”.

Watch ClimateDogs Ridgy, Enso, Sam and Indy as they explain climate features that can affect rainfall in Victoria. http://www.climatekelpie.com.au/

Speakers: Graeme is a leading science communicator and extension leader within Victoria’s Primary Industries sector. He is currently DEDJTR’s Climate Extension Specialist leading an innovative program that has created products such as the ClimateDogs, seasonal risk products & capability development programs.

He is passionate about assisting agriculture leaders and rural communities in making sense of the growing climate, seasonal risk and carbon farming story, we can “Make decisions today, that leave us better off in future”.

Graeme provided a video presentation during the Port Phillip & Westernport CMA’s ‘managing farms through dry conditions’ workshops earlier this year and received interest from Yarra Valley farmers to present information on the 2016 spring/summer climate forecasts.

Also joining us for the evening, Toby Cook from Vative will speak about Lean Six Sigma Business Improvement program.

WAGS (Wabbit Action Group Silvan) are hosting John who is a guru of rabbit control with long experience in the industry. He will talk on the nuts and bolts of Rabbit Control and the latest on the release of the new calicivirus strain Boost K5.

Silvan has been registered as a potential pilot release site for the RHD Boost virus, which is planned to be released in Autumn 2017. Find out more about how the virus works and how you can be involved in rabbit control.

What are the ingredients to make a successful agritourism business? Find out the considerations that agritourism ventures need to be successful. Learn from interstate and local Yarra Valley success stories and what drove their foray into agritourism.

Key note speaker Robert Ravens owner of iconic Bridestowe Lavender in Tasmania is speaking about how they created a tourism destination.

Tammi Jonas from Australian Food Sovereignty Alliance will speak on the link between food sovereignty and agritourism and the educational role of farmgates, educating consumers on how produce is grown and made.

Miranda Sharp from Melbourne Farmers Markets will talk about markets as the first step into agritourism, giving consumers better options for food purchase and helping farmers receive fairer prices.

Tim Ada, Dept of Economic Development will be speaking on the government’s recently released Food & Fibre strategy and how it supports food and wine tourism.

Mark Bennett was raised on dry land cropping in northwest Victoria and is now head of Agribusiness, Regional Business Banking, ANZ. Which focuses on farmers and agribusinesses across regional Australia.

Louise Dunn from Asialink Business will speak about the importance of building Asia capabilities and related skill sets to drive successful outcomes when doing business in Asia for Victorian agribusinesses.

Len Rayner of Rayners Orchard, Yarra Valley producer will talk about how he has developed the tourism aspect of his business, so that now it is the sole focus of the business.

Jon Baxter from Punt Road Wines will speak on how to develop a new niche in the already busy wine/cellar door market.

Heather Corallo from Strawberry Springs opened her strawberry cafe in February, hear what it took to get the doors open and what she had learnt so far.

Julie Sampson from Yarra Ranges Tourism will speak on marketing to domestic and international visitors.

Brooke Collins, traditional custodian of the Wurundjeri – Woiwurrung language group, will perform a ‘Welcome to Country’ and speak about the future for Coranderrk.

Andrew Stewart, 4th generation lamb, cattle and agroforestry farmer, has been running farm tours for more than 20 years for schools, universities, landcarers, as well as politicians.

Description goIt’s all about the soil

Are you on a quest for good soil? Do you understand soil science?

2015 is the International Year of Soils. Speaker Peter Brown is a specialist agronomist, currently working with Seasol with many years experience in soil biology. He has also worked with the local truffle industry advising on soil structure.

Do you know the percentage of organics in your soil? Do you understand how different types of compost help soil structure?

Michael Wood from Enviromix will be talking about the benefits of compost and mulch. How different types of mulch help retain soil moisture, add fertilizer, change soil biology, reduce pesticide use, while improving plant growth. Enviromix has been conducting mulching trials with agronomists, viticulturists and berry growers in the Yarra Valley with great success.

To book contact cab@agribusiness-yarravalley.com or 0491 141 008

The Agribusiness Yarra Valley Inc. works very closely with its constituents, being concerned to accurately represent their views. To this end a series of Dinner Forums have been conducted where those interested are invited to explore issues and discuss their concerns.

Dinners are held 4 times every year. Each dinner has a theme with a regional focus including topics such as Regional branding, Doing business with local government, Getting the balance right – Farming and the Environment and What makes the region unique.es here

Rural Land Program

Topics:

Managing Catchments

Stringybark Tender

Groundwater in the Yarra Valley

Speakers:

Rowan Hore, Melbourne Water

Bill Moulden, Melbourne Water

Toby Prosser, Elbourne Water

Elissa McNamara, Southern Rural Water

Presentations:

Rural Land Programs

Managing Catchments

Little Stringybark Water Quality Tender

Ground Water

Topic: Foreign Investment in Agriculture

Speakers: Brendan Larkin, Dept of Economic Development &Dr Mona Chung Deakin University

Presentation: Capitalising on market opportunities in Asia & Investment

Topic: Yarra Ranges Election Candidates

Speakers: Mark Verschuur & Mike Clarke Christine Fyffe, Sandra Bets, Peter Harris & Damien de Pyle, Cindy McLeish, Marie Sellstrom, Sally Brennan, Jim Child & Bruce Argyle

Topic: Free power for life. Alternative Energy

Speakers: Rowan Reid – Reid Bros Sawmillers, Alan Robins – Green Thermal Energy Technologies, Greg Thomas – Australian Home Services, Trevor Vaughan – True Value Solar, Angus McGuckian – Yarra Ranges Council

Presentation: Reid Timber, Green Thermal Energy Technologies, Alternative Energy – Wind & Sustainable Energy Options – YRC

Topic: ABC of Exporting

Speakers: Bill James & Craig Malcolm – Tradestart / Australian Industry Group, Damian Wise – Wise Foods, Ben Owen – ANZ

Topic: Modern Farming—growing plus marketing. World trends in commercial farming

Speakers: John Stanley, The Retail Guru, Yarra Ranges Council, Planner—Rural Zone Planning Reforms & Ian Ada—agriculture over 40 years

Topic: Lending for Primary Producers

Speakers: Rob Goudswaard, Rural Finance & Mayor Jim Child, Yarra Ranges Council

Topic: Capacity of the Farming Sector to Attract & Retain Young Farmers and Respond to an Ageing Workforce

Speakers: Paul Weller MP

Topic: VFF & British Columbia Farming Tour

Speakers: Peter Tuohey – VFF President & Sue Finger – VFF Horticulture President

Topic: What’s in store for Australian agribusiness

Speakers: Michael Harvey, Rabobank Food and Agribusiness Research Team

Topic: Farming Yarra Ranges

Speakers: Glenn Patterson – Chief Executive Officer, Yarra Ranges Council

Topic: What you need to know about Carbon Tax and Carbon credits?

Speakers: Mick Keogh Executive Director, Australian Farm Institute

Topic: The Pacific Seasonal Workers Scheme – A new Seasonal Labour Soure

Speakers: Gaye Tripodi, Murrawee farms, Swan Hill, Ross Polglase, Swan Hill Rural City Council, Mark Roddam, DEEWR & Michael Fryszer, Connect Group, Dandenong

Topic: Agribusiness – what are the future trends and directions? Want to help shape Yarra Ranges Council’s agribusiness strategy?

Speakers: Workshop dinner

Topic: The VFF and Victorian Agriculture

Speakers: Andrew Broad President, Victorian Farmers Federation

Topic: Victoria’s Future in Agriculture

Speakers: Peter Walsh, Nationals & Terry Burgi – Yarra Ranges Environmental Advisory Committee

Topic: A new decade in Agribusiness – Agribusiness Summit Dinner

Speakers: Bob Curtis – Yileena Park Winery

Topic: Surface and Groundwater in the Yarra Valley

Speakers: Deb Brown Water Resource Planning DSE & Chris McAuley Resource Allocation and Planning DSE

Presentation: Groundwater & Surfacewater

Topic: Minister for Agriculture

Speakers: Mr Joe Helper

Topic: Agriculture in the Shire of Yarra Ranges

Speakers: Len Cox – Mayor; & Glenn Patterson – Chief Executive Officer, &Claudette Fay Executive Officer of Strategic Planning

Topic: Niche crops for a new decade

Speakers: Colin & Nathan Carter – Truffle Growers & Jennifer Hutchison – Organic Garlic Grower

Topic: Reshape your Business in troubled times

Speakers: David Mathews- Proteaflora; Richard Paterson- Cool Change Natural Springwater Stuart Burgess, Investors in People Australia

Topic: The 2009 Fires – before, during and after

Speakers: Graeme Armstrong – CFA & David Stirling – Marysville lavender grower from & Rowan Francis – Kinglake berry grower

Topic: World Finance Status

Speakers: Tom Elliot – Finance Commentator Peter Maguire – Ridgeline HR

Feedback: Tom Elliot talks about the current world financial status, the meltdown in the US, Sub-prime, global liquidity and how they all affect the rural community.

Topic: Climate Change & Carbon Trading

Speakers: David Griffin, DPI & George Mihaly, Paradigm Hill Winery

Topic: Transgenic Crops: Risky or Part of Sustainable Agriculture

Speakers: Prof Rick Roush – Dean, Melbourne School of Land & Environment & Dr. David Tribe, Microbiologist, Melbourne University

Feedback: Safety, safety, safety, and more GM food safety. The Food and Chemical Toxicology Quartet.

Topic: Your Body, getting the best from it

Speakers: Dr. Warrick Hooper – Montrose Spinal Clinic

Topic: Water

Speakers: Steve Hosking – Melbourne Water & Graham Hawke – Southern Rural Wate

Topic: State of Victorian Agriculture

Speakers: Simon Ramsay – President, Victorian Farmers Federation

Topic: Future for Australian Agriculture

Speakers: Sussan Ley – Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries & Forestry & Sam Violi, President, Victorian Strawberry Growers

Topic: Agriculture & the Media

Speakers: Ed Gannon -The Weekly Times James Martin, Manager, Community Relations, Yarra Ranges Council Rachael Cairns – DPI

Topic: Labour Pains – Finding & Keeping Workers

Speakers: Ian Ada, Agribusiness Officer, Shire of Yarra Ranges Max Polwarth, Manager, National Harvest Labour Information Service James Judge, Fraud Investigation Team, Centrelink Robert Thompson, owner, Battunga Orchards, Hoddles Creek

Topic: Does Agriculture in the Yarra Valley have a Future?

Speakers: Dr. Neil Barr – Sociologist DPI & David Van Berkel – Garden Express

Topic: Agriculture and Tourism – Marriage made in heaven or recipe for disaster

Speakers: Anne Gallace – Sunny Ridge Strawberry Farm, Mornington & Anne Langworthy Swinburne University, Centre for Regional Development

Topic: Success in regional agriculture – value adding

Speakers: Anthony Parle – Australian Frozen Foods – Pickle grower and producer for McDonalds Leon Tokar, Tokar Estate

Topic: Good farm management in the 21st Century – productive, cost effective and preserving natural resources

Speakers: Kerrie Price, Wine For Life Greening Australia Alison Medhurst, Horticulture Resource Management – DPI

Topic: Exploring long term retirement options

Succession or sale

Making a graceful and profitable business exit

www.fbrc.com.au

Speakers: Lucio Dana – Family Business Dynamic

Topic: Beyond Price and Quality – Other key attributes influencing purchasing decisions of food products in international markets

Speakers: Emma Coath, Manager, Market information and ANalysis & Peter Myers, Manager, Market Development, Agribusiness Groups, Department of Primary Industries, Melbourne.

Topic: Fresh Produce Supply Chain – Changes in the retail industry and the supply chain of fresh produce meeting expectations

Speakers: Anthony Jackson, Costa Group & David Finger, YV Fruits

Topic: The future in horticulture in the Yarra Valley

Speakers: Gordon Chapman Chappies Fruits

Topic: The Future of Water in the Yarra Valley

Speakers: Cheryl Batagol Chair Melb Water

Topic: The Yarra Vally Brand

Speakers: Angela Ang CE Yarra Valley Brand

Topic: Doing Business Electronically

Speakers: Peter Petherbridge (Adjunct Prof Swinburne E-business & Communication) & Annemarie Manders (Warratina Lavender Farm)

Topic: New York, New York! The keys to success agribusiness development.

Speakers: John Bailey (Melb Bus School) and Tim Smith(Former Austrade NY)

Topic: Globalisation – How does your business fit into the big, wide world?

Speakers: Judith Laffan (Dpt Foreign Affairs & Trade) & Angela Ang (Mkt Mgr, Wild About Fruit)

Topic: Regional Branding – What makes the region unique?

Speakers: Graeme Avery (Hawkes Bay Food Group) & Roger Grant (Geelong Area Consultative Committee)

Topic: How much is a name really worth? The value of cross-regional and cross-product identification

Speakers: Rob Dolan (Sticks) James Halliday (GI & YV place in Aust wine) & presentation on benefits of a single brand image

Topic: Getting the Balance Right – Farming Business and the Environment

Speakers: Dr.Bruce Kefford DNRE & Cecil Camilleri (Yallumba)

Topic: Doing Business with Local Government

Speakers: Sue Rechenburg-Dupe (Surf Coast Councillor and landowner) & Alan Fincher (SOYR Deputy Mayor)

Topic: Branding the Region

Speakers: Bob Annells (Director Annells Consulting) & David McKinna

Topic: Marketing Food and Supermarkets globally, dealing with Australian Supermarkets, Local co-operation.

Speakers: Peter Hansford & Terry Burgi

Topic: Launch of Farming Real Estate – Challenges & opportunities for Agribusiness on the Urban fringe – YV Region.

Integrating Quality Assurance, Environment Management Systems & Integrated Crop Management in the YV.