Barossa welcomes farmers for an AgTastic conference

South Australian farmers will have the opportunity to learn more about climate drivers that affect rainfall at the third annual AgTastic conference.

To be held in the Barossa Valley in June, the conference is hosted by the Barossa Improved Grazing Group and Young People in Ag. Keynote speaker is Dale Grey, editor of The Break, The Fast Break and Very Fast Break climate e-newsletters.

“My presentation at AgTastic will focus on the oceanic and atmospheric climate drivers that affect South Australian rainfall and how climate change is influencing those drivers,” Dale said.

“We will also have a look at the predictions for those drivers for the coming winter and spring and how that might affect rainfall and temperature for this year’s growing season.”

Dale has been working with the Victorian Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources as a crop and pasture research and extension agronomist for 23 years at Rutherglen and Cobram and is now based in Bendigo. For the past 11 years Dale has specialised in climate and weather.

The theme of the annual AgTastic conference is ‘Making the most of your natural resources’ and farmers from all industries and all ages will learn more about climate influencers and understand the benefits of revegetation and paddock trees while networking over a two-course dinner.

Sponsorship by Natural Resources SA Murray-Darling Basin and the Regional Landcare Facilitator, Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges NRM Region has enabled organisers to sell conference tickets at just $40 per person.

Participants will also visit Hutton Vale farm on a conference bus tour. Hutton Vale Farm has been part of a mixed farming business in the Angas family since 1843. The current custodians, Jan and John Angas, have a philosophy of a sustainable farming program for all their produce.

The Angus family are participants in the Trees for Life Paddock Tree project, and participants will learn on the site visit how they can become involved in the project which plants and protects native trees in producers’ livestock paddocks.

AgTastic will be held on June 9 at Grand Cru Estate, Springton. Register at http://agcommunicators.com.au/events/2016-agtastic-conference/

ENDS

Interviews: Dale Grey, 03 5430 4395. Email: dale.grey@ecodev.vic.gov.au

More information: Conference coordinator Rebecca Barr, 0402 788 526, admin@biggroup.org.au

Participants learning about BIGG projects at the inaugural AgTastic in 2014.

Click on the image for a higher resolution version.

Follow BIGG on Facebook

Check out the BIGG website