Experts talk farming fixes

FARMERS across the Far Northern region will be given the tools to tackle a range of critical issues and challenges being faced on the land and industry wide.

Mareeba District Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (MDFVGA) and Northern Gulf Resource Management Group have teamed up to address farmers’ concerns by hosting an Efficient Farming Forum at Mareeba on April 27.

MDFVGA president Joe Moro said the event aimed to tackle the crucial issues facing the modern-day farmer.

“Energy efficiency would be without a doubt one of the biggest challenges we face on the land,” he said.

“Soaring electricity prices have placed enormous pressure on our ability to run our businesses and anything we can do to reduce this impact is welcomed by farmers.

“We have secured Andrew Chamberlin (as keynote speaker) who is currently managing an energy savers program for the Queensland Farmers Federation on renewable energy to give an insight into measures that farmers can take.”

Founding and managing director of Queensland company SwarmFarm Robotics, Andrew Bate, will also talk about the role robotic technology plays in agriculture.

Mr Bate believes that robots hold the key to the next wave of productivity gains for horticulture and cropping indus- tries. Mr Moro said, while the forum would deliver on the issues and challenges facing today’s farmer, it too would provide a “big picture” view of agriculture.

“We are fortunate to have trends expert Michael McQueen to speak about the future of agriculture,” Mr Moro said.

“Michael is widely recognised for having his finger on the pulse of business and culture and has helped some of the world’s best-known brands navigate change and stay ahead of the curve.”

Northern Gulf Resource Management Group executive co-ordinator Allan Holmes said the forum would also update farmers on the latest technology in farm machinery and drones and look at the potential for developing overseas markets.

For more information about the forum, contact co-ordinator Sherri Soncin at sherri@soncineletrical.com.au

Farmers and industry stakeholders can also register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ efficient-farming-forum-2018tickets-43640771723