Ian Burnett
AgForce Queensland General President Ian Burnett
May 2, 2014

AgForce Queensland announced today it will host five separate industry events around Queensland in 2014 in place of its traditional State Conference.

AgForce General President Ian Burnett said the 360 Series aimed to counter some of the challenges imposed by current farming conditions.

“In times of drought it can be difficult and expensive to pack up and head to State Conference for two or three days,” Mr Burnett said.

“By essentially taking conference to the regions, we will be giving as many industry stakeholders as possible the opportunity to participate in the important discussions currently underway surrounding the future of the sector.”

Mr Burnett said AgForce was determined to take information, debate and entertainment to primary producers because the group believed the industry was on the cusp of a significant opportunity for increased prosperity, providing it could get the policy and economic foundations underlying agriculture right.

Each event in the 360 Series will be tailored to the region it falls in, and will include keynote speakers, forum discussions and debate, hands-on demonstrations and networking opportunities.

The first will be held in Roma on June 24-25 with others to follow in Biloela (September 3-4), Charleville (October 1-2), Blackall (November 5-6) and Brisbane (November 25).

The regional events will include a pre-forum dinner and industry forum the following day, while Brisbane will be a flagship event designed to engage the agribusiness and corporate sectors.

“This is an extremely exciting time for our sector and one that requires input from a wide cross-section of primary producers and other stakeholders to ensure we are well positioned to make the most of the burgeoning Asian middle class, and the identification of agriculture as a key pillar of the economy from both levels of government.

“I personally invite all industry participants to attend and support the series and to be part of this important and exciting conversation.”

Further information about the AgForce 360 Series can be obtained on the AgForce website or by contacting Stacey Milner on 0418-733-102 or by email.