Rainfall drivers under spotlight

The conference to be held at Grand Cru Estate, Springton is being hosted by the Barossa Improved Grazing Group and Barossa Young People in Ag.

The keynote speaker will be Dale Grey from the Victorian Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources who is the editor of The Break, The Fast Break and Very Fast Break climate e-newsletters.

Mr Grey says his presentation over dinner will focus on the oceanic and atmospheric climate drivers that affect SA rainfall and how climate change is influencing this.

“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.”

Mr Grey has 23 years experience as a crop and pasture research and extension agronomist with the Vic Dept at Rutherglen and Cobram and is now based in Bendigo. For the past 11 years he has specialised in climate and weather.

The theme of the AgTastic conference is ‘Making the Most of Your Natural Resources’. Farmers from all industries and all ages will learn more about climate influences and understand the benefits of re-vegetation and paddock trees while networking over a two-course dinner.

Participants will also visit mixed farming business Hutton Vale on a bus tour. It has been in the Angas family since 1843 and current custodians, Jan and John Angas, have a philosophy of a sustainable farming program for all their produce. They will discuss their involvement in the Trees for Life paddock project.

Generous 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 which includes the bus tour for $40 per person.