WA farmers, have your say on farming’s future

The National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) will travel to Western Australia this week to host a Blueprint for Australian Agriculture forum immediately following the WAFarmers’ centenary conference. NFF President Jock Laurie is calling on local farmers and graziers, transporters, processors, retailers, consultants, rural businesses, agribusinesses and community groups to take part in the forum, which will take place at the Burswood Entertainment Complex from 9am to 1pm on Friday 23 March. “Our Perth forum will give those interested in, or involved with, agriculture in WA a chance to have their say on the issues, challenges and opportunities facing the sector,” Mr Laurie said. “The forecast for agriculture for the coming year in WA is very positive, with ABARES predicting that this state will have the largest increase in average farm cash income of all the states due to a positive season ahead for grain. “While this is good news for grain growers in WA, as all within agriculture know, farming can be unpredictable and forecasts do not always ring true. “Farmers have become very good at managing risk and overcoming challenges on their own farms, and the Blueprint is designed to help the agricultural sector achieve this on a wider scale. “It’s about coming together as an industry to plan for the future – to know where we’re going and how we’re going to get there. “And, if the Blueprint is to truly reflect the views of the agricultural industry and the supply chain, then it is essential that all within agriculture are heard. We encourage you to come along next week and have your say,” Mr Laurie said. The Blueprint forum will be held in the Botanical Room at the Burswood Entertainment Complex, Great Eastern Highway, Burswood from 9am to 1pm on Friday 23 March, following the WAFarmers’ centenary conference which finishes on Thursday 22 March. For more information, or to register to attend the Perth forum, please visit www.nff.org.au/blueprint or phone the NFF on 02 6269 5666. The Blueprint for Australian Agriculture is an initiative of the NFF, in partnership with Westpac and Woolworths. The Perth Blueprint forum is proudly supported by WAFarmers’, Australian Livestock Exporters’ Council, Australian Livestock & Property Agents Association, Australian Veterinary Association, Cattle Council of Australia, Corporate Agriculture Group, Beechworth Honey, Goat Industry Council of Australia, GrainGrowers, Ridley Corporation, Sheepmeat Council of Australia and WoolProducers Australia.