Nuffield scholar Hannah Marriott

CENTRAL Victorian prime lamb operation manager and Nuffield scholar Hannah Marriott will feature at the ABARES Regional Outlook conference in Hamilton, Victoria on September 23.

The 2014 Nuffield Australia scholar will speak on ‘Measurement promotes productivity and lamb quality’ at 11.40am at the conference next week.

Hannah has researched the ability of electronic identification devices (EID) to deliver production benefits to sheep farmers, with traceability as a bonus. She manages a family‐owned 1080‐hectare prime lamb property at Greta, north east of Kalkallo.

The fully integrated business with its three properties, includes Merinos for wool and first cross ewes for second cross lamb production. About 4500 first cross ewes are joined to Poll Dorset rams, with lambs grown for the domestic and export markets.

Hannah believes EIDs could help manage seasonal risk by ensuring excess sheep are sold on poor performance rather than age, and will also ensure the increasing cost of inputs are used most efficiently.

Other sessions of interest to sheep producers at the conference include:

– Jammie Penm from ABARES speaking on national and international issues affecting the region at 9.30 am;

– Peter Collins from ABARES with a commodity outlook for Victoria at 11am, and;

– Jonathan Creese from Rural Bank talking about Farm Management Deposits and farmer wealth at 11.20am.

Federal Member for Wannon Dan Tehan will give the opening address.

Speakers will give latest forecasts and economic outlook

The conference will have a range of speakers delivering the latest forecasts and economic outlook for the region. ABARES executive director, Karen Schneider, said conference delegates would hear from a range of expert speakers from ABARES, the private sector and producers.

“This conference will consider issues of profitability, productivity and innovation, with a particular focus on how these issues relate to the region and its industries.

“Victoria’s Warrnambool and South West region makes an important contribution to the state and the nation’s economy,” she said.

While covering only 12 per cent of the state’s land area, the region contributed $1.9 billion in gross agricultural production in 2012–13.

“This conference will look at how the sector, and Victoria’s South West region in particular, can generate business innovation and productivity, drive profitability, and how farm businesses can thrive in a changing business environment,” Ms Schneider said.

Pre-conference registration is essential. More information, including conference programme and registration form, is available at 2015 Regional Outlook Conferences.

Conference details

Date: September 23, 2015

Venue: Hamilton Showgrounds, Shakespeare Street, Hamilton, Victoria

Time: Registration from 8.30am, conference 9am-4pm

Cost: Registration is complimentary but pre-event enrolment is required. Registration includes: conference entry, access to ABARES recent publications, morning and afternoon tea and lunch, delegate directory, About My Region profile data.

Email: Conferences or call 02 6272 2303/2260 for enquiries. Register via the registration form/programme.

Source: ABARES