LIVESTOCK and grain producers of South Australia will celebrate their industries together and hopefully make a political impact in a joint conference initiative on August 11 this year.

It is hoped the joint industry conference – GROWING SA – hosted by Grain Producers SA and Livestock SA will become an annual event.

The conference at the Adelaide Hills Convention Centre in Hahndorf is the first event of its kind the organisations have co-operated on.

The inaugural GROWING SA conference is being promoted as an opportunity for primary producers to hear the latest in policy developments, farm business advice and commodity research while networking with each other and industry service providers and policy decision-makers.

Livestock SA chief executive officer Andrew Curtis said conference will have keynote speakers on issues that are important to both industries and industry-specific presentations as break-out sessions. GPSA and Livestock SA will hold their annual general meetings on the day.

A joint Grain Producers SA and Livestock SA media release said the conference’s split sessions and social functions will:

• Provide the latest policy and farm business information to help producers boost productivity and profitability.
• Highlight the state’s broadacre industries as a shining light for innovation, industry growth, and business sustainability.
• Enable producers, industry service providers, stakeholders, politicians and policy-makers from across South Australia to engage in a two-way dialogue regarding policy issues, plus network, at a once-a-year event.

Mr Curtis said the theme GROWING SA reflected the industry’s leading role in cementing South Australia’s reputation as a premium food and wine exporter.

“Primary production is an engine room for the state’s economy. It is a shining light when other industries face challenges to growth.

“It is a multi-billion industry with exciting investment opportunities,” he said.

“The livestock and grain industries produce, and value add, a diverse range of food products and are recognised globally as produced in a clean and green environment.

“In the lead-up to the State Election (March 17, 2018), we want to ensure that our industry is placed front and centre in policy debates, so we can ensure primary production policies of all parties contesting the election enable our members to remain profitable.”

Grain Producers SA chief executive officer Darren Arney says primary production is growing its share of the job market, its customer and export base and its economic contribution to the state.

“Day in, day out, food producers are contributing to SA’s growth and that needs to be recognised and celebrated.

“The SA grains industry is coming off the back of a record harvest. Overall, one in five working South Australians is employed in the food industry and agriculture, food and wine is worth $18.6 billion to the state,” he said.

”These are outstanding figures and, through broader traditional and digital media reach, it is intended metropolitan communities will hear more of the industry’s leading position.

“We are encouraging all producers to come along for the day and support the organisations that advocate for them to industry stakeholders, service providers and policy makers on a daily basis,” Mr Arney said.

Visit www.grainproducerssa.com.au or www.livestocksa.org.au for more information.

Source: Livestock SA, Grain Producers SA.