Food Security-Can we grow enough, urban encroachment on farming land and land water supply
Can we grow enough
Unfortunately Senator Bill Heffernan has election commitments and is now unable to the Summit.Another speaker is currently being approached.
Land water supply
Nick Raleigh
Northern Victorian Irrigation Renewal Project
The importance of matching land suitability and water supply to help ensure the security of our future food supply.
BIOGRAPHY: Nick joined NVIRP in November 2008 after 3 months in the Goulburn Murray Water reconfiguration program. Nick’s role at NVIRP is managing 15 consultation staff across the five G-MW irrigation districts. The role is responsible for the development and delivery of incentive offers to landholders, quality assurance of incentive offers, compliance with the NVIRP Connections Business Case and landholder negotiations. Prior to this, Nick held farm management roles in irrigated and dry-land cropping in Southern NSW, predominantly processing tomatoes, maize and winter cereals. Nick also has extensive experience in irrigated cropping agronomy and precision farming, including Global Positioning, yield mapping and soil science.www.nvrip.com.au
Urban encroachment on farming land
Associate Professor
Michael Buxton,
Department of Social Science & Planning, RMITUniversity
Australia's supply of good quality land (especially that which has access to good quality water for irrigation) is declining. Much of this land is around urban areas -both metropolitan and regional cities, how big is this issue, is it a problem, if so, what more should be done to ameliorate it.
BIOGRAPHY: Michael Buxton worked with Victorian Government Planning and Environment agencies, and Victorian Environment Protection Authority. He headed the intergovernmental process for developing Australia’s National Greenhouse Strategy, and group responsible for the development and implementation of environmental policy in Victoria. Michael heads a research team carrying out extensive research into peri-urban regions, including a national study titledChange and Continuity in Peri-Urban Australia: investigated contemporary peri-urban regions in Australia; identified future patterns of socio-economic, environmental change in peri-urban landscapes; and developed scenarios for future land use and management based on 'business as usual', interventionist and deregulated options.
Climate Change-What are the latest views, how to take advantage of it and changing land suitability
Reality (latest views)
Andrew Broad
President Victorian Farmers Federation
Speak about the VFF views and policy dealing with climate change.
BIOGRAPHY: Andrew Broad elected President of the Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) in June 2009. Manager of a farming business (owned, share farmed) in Bridgewater, central Victoria, having purchased his first property at 22 years of age. He won the prestigious Nuffield Scholarship in 2005 and has studied agricultural policy and trade in over 25 countries. He is a past Victorian Director of the Future Farmers Network and is a former Board Member & Chairman of the VFF Young Agribusiness Professional. In 2006 Andrew was one of twelve Australian delegates to attend the International Federation of Agricultural Producers World Young Farmer Congress in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Is land suitability for crops changing across Victoria and should farmers be taking any action?
Victoria's weather patterns - what's normal, what's not and what's next The response options available in agriculture (& implications for land use) Discuss positive & practical actions already being taken by farmers
BIOGRAPHY: Graeme is the climate change specialist for DPI Farm Services Victoria and leads the “Planning for Climate Change” action of the Victorian Future Farming Strategy. He has a 20 year background in science and policy communication, farm planning, catchment management, forestry and agriculture industry development, land use change and socioeconomic impact programs. He is passionate about making sure our agriculture leaders and rural communities are better able to make sense of climate and carbon issues and are able to make well informed decisions that will have them well placed for the decades ahead.
Taking advantage of it
Allen Hart - Dog Rock Wines
How did you respond to the challenges of climate change and the broad overview of where the wine industry may head?
BIOGRAPHY: Since purchasing their 58 hectare property, Allen and Andrea have worked hard to incorporate sustainable farming principles in their business and wine label – DogRock Wines. Their success was recognised in 2007 when they received the Powercor Grampians /Pyrenees Small Business Award for Environmental Responsibility. They take a whole farm approach with tree planting at the winery naturally contributes to carbon sequestration on the property. Flexibility to adapt to a changing climate and holistic view of the environment has proven a successful business strategy. www.dogrock.com.au
Rural industries for future climates
Rebecca Darbyshire
Horticulture and Viticulture, MelbourneSchool of Land and Environment, MelbourneUniversity
What are the findings of analysis of what future scenarios might be.
Prof Snow Barlow has advised is that he is no longer able to attend the Summit and Rebecca Darbyshire from Melbourne Uni will be giving his presentation.
Recent developments in training programs for rural industries
Greg started an Apprentice motor Mechanic in the “State Electricity Commission of Victoria” (SECV) continued his studies and profession in Mechanical Engineering and Education as a senior lecture & trainer in mechanical systems. He taught within the TAFE system and during this time he also managed the Industry consultancy division of a major TAFE providing training and consultancy solutions to the wider Primary Industry sector. He has been the Executive officer of the Primary Industry Training Board (PSV) for 8 years ensuring the Industries voice is heard in development of Training Package Qualifications, Government policy and ensuring that the Primary Industry needs are communicated to all level of Government. www.psv.com.au
Open Forum - Questions to speakers from Day One
2010 Victorian Agribusiness SummitDay Two – Friday 20 August
Products for the Future-Growing for supermarkets, who is driving food standards, what do farmers need to do
Growing for markets - Produce
Peter Reynolds -
What is it about the farmer and their product that makes them attractive to the buyer eg: consumer trends, marketing methods, changes in packaging, after sales service, etc.
What is it about the farmer and their product that makes them attractive to the buyer eg: consumer trends, marketing methods, changes in packaging, after sales service, etc?
Controlling the market - being wanted
Mark Chapman - YV Fresh
How do you position yourself and product so supermarkets are chasing you?
Mark is a 4th generation fruit grower with his brother Steve. Jointly they manage and operate Chappies, their family business based in Silvan, Victoria. Chappies have properties in Silvan, Euroa and Coldstream totalling nearly 100 hectares, with 55 hectares in production. Mark has no formal training in marketing, instead, about 30 years of practical experience. As a young teenager in the Melbourne Wholesale Markets, Mark helped his father Gordon sell fruit from the back of their truck. Mark has since been instrumental in the setting up and operation of 3 fruit marketing companies. Mark believes that if you want to get the best results with marketing, you have to be involved.www.yvfresh.com.au
BIOGRAPHY: Graeme Smith spent 9 years as a hydroponic vegetable grower, growing crops in a controlled greenhouse production system.Foundation Secretary from 1995 Hydroponic Farmers Federation Inc.National President since 1999 of Australian Hydroponic & Greenhouse Association Inc now ‘Protected Cropping Australia’. Chairman of the ‘Protected Cropping Working & Advisory Group’ that advises Horticulture Australia Ltd and AusVeg the annual priorities for the industry. www.graemesmithconsulting.com
Why branding is necessary
Ross Brown - Brown Brothers
How has branding revitalised a traditional family business?
BIOGRAPHY: Ross Brown was appointed Chief Executive Officer to the family business in April 2001. Prior to this position, he was Director Corporate Strategy and was responsible for overseeing a period of sustained market growth, as the wines of Brown Brothers forged an enviable reputation for their flavour and quality throughout Australia and overseas. Since joining the company in 1970, Ross has overseen the development of Australia's leading cellar door, which attracts over 80,000 people each year. Ross was also responsible for developing the Epicurean Centre where visitors can experience wine food and harmony. Winery tourism is rapidly expanding and a joint alliance to develop Lindenwarrah Country House Hotel enabling Brown Bros to offer visitor the complete experience - superb premium wines, delectable food and high quality accommodation.
Exploiting Technologies-Development in fertilisers, Crop protection and IPM, fungicides, R&D
Development in fertilisers
John Watson - Non-executive Chairman & Charlie Walker Technical and Development Manager - Incitec Pivot
How do you see future trends in fertilisers for Victorian farms?
BIOGRAPHY: John Watson AM, MAICD, Non-executive Chairman, was appointed as a director of Incitec Pivot Limited (then known as Pivot) on 15 December 1997 and was appointed Chairman in January 1998. John is the Chairman of Tasman Farms Limited and Governor of Van Diemen’s Land Company, a director of Tassal Group Limited, Councillor of the Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria and a member of the Rabobank Food and Agribusiness Advisory Board for Australia and New Zealand. He is also a past Deputy President of the National Farmers’ Federation, a former Chairman of PrimeSafe and a former non-executive director of Rural Press Limited. He was Chairman of the Export Wheat Commission, which was replaced by a new authority, Wheat Exports Australia, on 1 July 2008. In 2004, he was awarded a Membership in the Order of Australia for services to the agricultural and food production sectors.
BIOGRAPHY:Charlie Walker, Technical and Development Manager, Incitec Pivot Fertilisers.After graduating from the University of New England in Rural Science, Charlie worked in agronomy roles with retail outlets in North West NSW before joining Incitec Fertilizers as an area manager on the Darling Downs. Following three years at Dalby, curiosity lured Charlie to take on a broadacre market development role with Incitec in southern Australia. The formation of Incitec Pivot Ltd saw Charlie take on the role of Product Innovation Manager and more recently Technical and Development Manager based in Geelong, Victoria.
How is DPI using plant biotechnology to produce crops to deal with specific purposes eg: salinity, frost, etc?
BIOGRAPHY:Carl is the Compliance Manager within the Biosciences Research Division (BRD) of the Department of Primary Industries. He has over 15 years experience working in gene technology as a research scientist and more recently in regulatory compliance management.
Carl led the team that developed and field tested Australia’s first and largest field trial to assess GM wheat for drought tolerance. He will discuss BRD research in Plant biotechnology in a climate of change, focusing on advancements in GM wheat, GM canola and GM forages grasses.
The use of biomass for alternative energy source and how Victorian farmers might exploit it?
BIOGRAPHY: Andrew Lang is a farmer from the Western District and for over 25 years has been involved in farm forestry. He is chairman of the innovative SMARTimbers marketing cooperative, and was appointed to represent the farm forestry sector on the seven-member Sustainable Timber Industry Council, set up in 2006 to advise the Minister for Primary Industries.He is a Churchill and Gottstein Fellow, and represents the Australasia-Oceania region on the board of the World Bioenergy Association. Over the past 7 years he has made numerous study visits to countries leading in development of energy from biomass. www.smartimbers.com.au
The use of IPM as an alternative crop protection and how Victorian farmers might exploit it?
BIOGRAPHY: Dr Paul Horne is an entomologist and for the last 14 years has been owner and director ofIPM Technologies Pty Ltd, based in Hurstbridge, Victoria. Hehas been involved with the development and implementation of IPM in a wide range of crops including cut-flowers, glasshouse crops, vegetables and broad-acre crops in Australia and New Zealand.His work has taken him to different places including Antarctica, Yemen, Thailand and Papua New Guinea.He is currently an Honorary Research Fellow at La Trobe University and regularly supervises undergraduate and post-graduate students from La Trobe and MelbourneUniversities. Paul has written four books on insects and published over 70 scientific and conference papers on insects and IPM, as well as many other articles in industry literature. In 2009 Paul won the Australian vegetable industry’s “Researcher of the Year” award. www.ipmtechnologies.com.au
Value Adding – Vertical integration, product processing and product branding
Value Adding
Mary Mooney - YarraValley Dairy
Lessons learnt in the growth of Yarra Vally Dairy and future challenges. Mary will talk about the learning experiences of herself and Yarra Valley Dairy over the last fifteen years and the challenges that is faced for the business in both the farming area and the food manufacturing business.
BIOGRAPHY: Mary Mooney is a resident of the YarraValley and has been farming in the districtfor many years.Her involvement with farming and her love of cooking resulted in 1994 in the establishment of a cheesemaking business supplying mostly small quantities of local businesses.Today,- the business supplies the foodservice and retail market around Australia and had a growing export business to the United States.www.yvd.com.au
Product development
Colin Carter - Truffles grower
Growing truffles, challenges faced and lessons learned
More than just a crop
Paul Tesselaar - The Tulip Festival
Tesselaar's story - some challenges faced and lessons learned