THE impact from COVID-19 on the agricultural sector has been varied and economic recovery will be a focus at this year's Growing SA conference in August.
The sector's growth potential will also be highlighted, with discussions about international opportunities and challenges for agriculture to be held at Hahndorf on August 23-24.
The conference is returning after a hiatus in 2020 due to COVID-19 and will be hosted by Grain Producers SA and Livestock SA.
The keynote speaker is United Kingdom's National Farmers Union president Minette Batters, who will join the conference virtually from the UK.
She will explore what Brexit could mean for Australian agriculture and trade relationships and how agriculture advocates here can learn from the NFU's experiences in its response to Brexit and other recent challenges.
GPSA chief executive Caroline Rhodes and Livestock SA chief executive Andrew Curtis both encouraged members and non-members to take part in GROWING SA to gain valuable insights at a time of ongoing global disruption for agriculture and international trade.
"Events of recent years such as drought and global disruption have tested the SA economy, yet agriculture has been a shining light during the COVID pandemic as other sectors have struggled," Ms Rhodes said.
"GROWING SA will explore how agricultural industries and individual producers can adapt and respond to the many challenges we continue to face, through strategies such as effective advocacy, situational awareness, and sustainability planning and practice."
Another headline speaker will be from the United States embassy of Agricultural Affairs in Canberra Levin Flake.
Mr Flake will present the US Department of Agriculture's short and long-term projections for global grain and oilseeds supply, demand and trade.
He will also give an overview of US livestock production and outline the global picture on beef and animal protein markets and trade for 2021 and beyond.
Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development David Basham will talk about how agriculture continues to underpin SA's economy, despite the enormous challenges of the past 18 months, and how the state government will work with stakeholders for continued prosperity.
The Minister will also be part of a panel session, along with Shadow Minister for Industry and Skills, and Forestry Clare Scriven, Livestock SA president Joe Keynes and GPSA chair Adrian McCabe.
The session will be an opportunity before the 2022 State and Federal elections for the speakers to pitch how their organisations will lead agriculture into the future.
GPSA and Livestock SA will hold their annual general meetings on the Monday afternoon, followed by pre-dinner drinks and the GROWING SA Conference gala dinner.
Registration is now open for all producers and industry stakeholders. View the program and register at www.growingsa.com.au
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