AN IMPORTANT commodity to not just Leeton, but the world, will take centre stage in the town next month.
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The 2017 Ricegrowers’ Association of Australia (RGA) annual conference will be held in Leeton on August 3 and 4.
The event was last held in Leeton seven years ago in 2010 and there has been many changes in the industry since then. The RGA represents farmers in the main rice growing areas of NSW and Victoria.
RGA president Jeremy Morton said the 2017 conference theme, “Building Value – Rice and Beyond” would celebrated not only rice, but the people, growers, systems and processes that play a vital role in all areas.
“The rice industry is a unique industry, with rice being an important crop within our growers’ irrigation systems,” Mr Morton said.
“This conference is an opportunity to celebrate our people, growers, systems and processor, and to challenge our industry to harness opportunities and be adaptable to remain competitive.”
The conference theme will be interpreted through a range of interesting topics during the event.
This will include addresses from guest speakers – Foodbank Australia chief executive officer Brianna Casey and Fisheries Research and Development Centre national carp control plan co-ordinator, Matt Barwick.
Murray-Darling Basin Authority chief executive officer Phillip Glyde will also speak and no doubt be sought after by many in attendance for a chat about the Murray-Darling Basin Plan.
There will also be a panel session about water trade. The annual gala dinner will be held on the evening of August 3 at Mia Function Centre, including an address from Rob Cook, a fourth generation cattle farmer.
A post conference tour will be held on Friday afternoon, taking visitors to Tim Commins’ property at Whitton.
The event will also provide opportunity for members to discuss topics brought forward by their branches and central executive.
Thanks to sponsors of the event, RGA financial members can register for the event for just $50.
Non-members and non-financial members can attend at a cost of $100 per person.
The closing date for registrations is July 21. For more information visit www.rga.org.au or call 02 6953 0433.
The rice industry is a unique industry, with rice being an important crop within our growers’ irrigation systems.
- RGA president Jeremy Morton