A fine day out for farmers

WHAT do farmers talk about when they get together for a day out in an uncertain world?

Many of the answers to that question could be found at Mount Rowan’s Ballarat Showgrounds and Events Centre as the venue on Wednesday set the scene for Farmers Day Out.

Hosted by Commerce Ballarat, the new event was designed to support people in agriculture with the business of farming, and featured keynote speakers, stalls showcasing new and innovative services, health checks, extensive networking, and breakout workshops to dig deeper into matters impacting life on the land.

With unsettling global affairs impacting fuel, fertiliser and farming, the keynote address by founder of Global Agritrends Downunder, Simon Quilty drew an attentive audience.

While acknowledging the challenges arising from the US-Iranian conflict, the sought-after international speaker had some positive messages for Aussie farmers.

“The main message is panic slowly,” Mr Quilty said. “We think we’ll come out of this okay with rising prices for sheep and cattle at the back end of this year and well into next year.

“The global fundamentals are very much in place for strong demand in North America both in lamb and beef, and all the indications are that that momentum continues.”

Tightening global supplies and increasing demand for protein-rich diets, driven by factors including the increasing use of weight-loss drugs, are among contributors to optimism among beef and lamb farmers, despite the international disruptors, Mr Quilty said.

Commerce Ballarat CEO Jodie Gillett said farmers are the backbone of communities but are often under-appreciated.

“Farmers are so important and often undervalued, they are the backbone of their communities, food production and regional and rural economies,” Ms Gillett said.

“There are field days aplenty, but we wanted to offer a day focussed on the business aspect of their farms, broaden their skills and offer inspiration in what are challenging times.

“Of course healthy minds and bodies are also critical especially in stressful times so the day also had a health focus thanks to Ballarat Group Practice and the National Centre for Farmer Health.”

Attending to the Ballarat Agricultural and Pastoral Society stand, BAPS co-president Kerri Gallagher said the event was a fantastic opportunity to chat to farmers about the Society’s many upcoming initiatives.

“We’re giving people an insight into our new facilities and all our new initiatives when it comes to trying to support farmers better in the region by staging events for them,” Ms Gallagher said.