Cattle research field day, Gayndah, June 20

Beef producers and agribusinesses wanting insights into the latest research on pasture dieback, cattle herds and genetics are encouraged to attend a free forum at the Brian Pastures Research Station near Gayndah this month. AgForce Cattle President Bim Struss said the ‘My Produce, Your Plate, Our Future’ forum was a rare opportunity to see first-hand the variety of work currently underway at the North Burnett cattle research station. Key focuses will include pasture dieback, tackling Indian couch grass invasion, the benefits of planting leucaena pastures andhow to manage calf loss and cattle genetics. The forum will also include a session with AgForce CEO Michael Guerin and will include a barbecue hosted by the AgForce Cattle Board where producers will have the opportunity to discuss industry issues and priorities with their AgForce representatives. The ‘My Produce, Your Plate, Our Future’ forum, funded under the State Government’s Community Drought Support Program, is being held at the Brian Pastures Research Station near Gayndah on Wednesday 20 June from 8am to 5pm. The forum is free but registrations are essential via https://bit.ly/2Hr3B94. More information is available from Kerry Godwin on 0472 825 757 or Kerry.godwin@daf.qld.gov.au or Sarah Due on 0427 144 298 and DueS@agforceqld.org.au

Property Rights Australia annual conference, Charleville, June 22-23

Property Rights Australia’s will hold its 15th annual conference on June 22-23 at the Charleville RSL Club. The event will start with a property tour and meet and greet on June 22, followed by an all-day conference on June 23. The keynote speaker will be Peter Spencer, a long serving property rights campaigner who came to national attention in 2009 when he undertook a hunger strike perched on a wind pole which lasted 52 days. Other speakers will include Lestar Manning from P&E law who will speak on water policy and updates on a recent case where possible; Tom Marland, Marland Law, Bundaberg will provide an overview of the new vegetation management laws; while graziers Scott Sargood and Dan McDonald will talk about the impacts of the new laws.  To register contact 07 49214000 or visit www.propertyrightsaustralia.org.au

Regional Australia’s first drones symposium, Barcaldine, August 11-12

The Remote Area Planning and Development Board will kick off its plan to make the region a centre for drone testing as it hosts regional Australia’s first-ever drones symposium in Barcaldine on August 11-12. RAPAD’s Outback Aerodrone Symposium will expose the region to the latest in drones and data technology, with a program including industry experts, hands-on demonstrations, and a trade show. RAPAD CEO, David Arnold said the event will also launch Outback Aerodrone: RAPAD’s vision of a Centre of Excellence to position the region to be the choice location to host national and global companies in Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) drone testing. “Outback Aerodrone 2018 provides a fantastic opportunity to meet and listen to some of Australia’s leading drone and data experts right here in our region,” Mr Arnold said.

International Leucaena Conference, Brisbane, November 1-3

Brisbane will play host to the International Leucaena Conference 2018 from November 1-3 this year. The event will also feature a pre-conference field trip on October 29-31 including visits to successful beef enterprises using Leucaena in Southern Queensland, and a post-conference field trip to eastern Indonesia to see smallholder farmers using Leucaena to fatten cattle. Organisers have already received expressions of interest from visitors from 17 countries to attend the event. For more details and to register click here