Agriculture and adaptation the hot topic for farming future Forum

Undertaking agriculture in a warmer and drier landscape will be the subject of most interest to the participants at the inaugural Productive Farming Future Forum – being held in Coorow on 10 February 2016.

The forum program will feature a cross-section of leading scientists and innovative farmers discussing how a changing climate will impact agriculture in the Northern Agricultural Region.

The event, hosted by the Northern Agricultural Catchments Council (NACC), will also feature, as the forum’s keynote speaker, Major General The Honourable Michael Jeffery, who will present on the importance of maintaining soil health in the face of a changing climate.

Other speakers who are sure to attract considerable interest include Bureau of Meteorology’s Glen Cook, discussing changing weather patterns; University of Western Australia’s Theo Evans on how termites and ants can improve soil productivity, and a number of innovative farmers sharing their personal experiences of adapting to our changing conditions.

One of the landholder case studies, Stuart McAlpine, will discuss changes with his on-farm practices related to land use and productivity in changing conditions in the Northern Agricultural Region.

Event spokesperson and NACC Regional Landcare Facilitator Stanley Yokwe said: “We are privileged to bring some of our country’s outstanding speakers – including the keynote speaker and soil health advocate Major General The Honourable Michael Jeffery – to the region to participate in this forum.”

“It is important to share with members of our farming community practical and innovative experiences being developed and implemented by local farmers seeking productive and sustainable farming options for adapting to a changing climate in the region.

“Anecdotal evidence and research reports have confirmed that our region has become significantly drier and warmer over the past 40 years. The reports have clearly shown that our region is suffering from declining winter rainfall, heat stress and frost risk.

“These changes are creating great challenges for our farming community and indeed the entire agriculture sector, so it is important to have events like this forum to provide our landholders and industry people with more evidence-based information on the best available options to cope with the vagaries of climate change.”

From climate modelling to discussions about innovative ways to use non-productive land, the forum aims to provide farmers with positive options and solutions for climate adaptation.

The Productive Farming Future Forum will be held on Wednesday, 10 February 2016, at the Coorow District Hall, from 9.45am to 3.30pm.

The event is free, however registrations are essential for catering purposes.

To register, visit the Eventbrite link, or for more information about the event, please contact NACC’s Regional Landcare Facilitator at Stanley.Yokwe@nacc.com.au or call 9938 0105.

This forum is funded by the Australian Government’s NRM Planning for Climate Change Fund, the Australian Government’s National Landcare Programme, and the Western Australian Royalties for Regions. It is supported by the Mid West Science Engagement Group and Inspiring Australia.