Farmers, researchers and key stakeholders will come together to discuss climate change and agriculture at the 2012 Climate Change Research Strategy for Primary Industries conference in November.

The Melbourne-based conference is Australia’s only dedicated primary industries and climate change forum.

CCRSPI executive director, Professor Snow Barlow, said the conference would be a wonderful opportunity for beef producers to hear about the latest national and international research and practices firsthand, and to interact with researchers and policy makers.

“The program has been shaped around the big questions of how Australia’s primary industries can adapt, mitigate and thrive in the face of present and future climate challenges,” Prof Barlow said.

Of key interest to many producers, the conference would provide a unique opportunity to consider the impacts on primary industries of the recently introduced carbon tax and current climate change research programs, he said.

Emissions in agriculture features heavily in the program and Dr Jude Capper, sustainability consultant and Professor of Animal Sciences at Washington State University, will discuss sustainability in the livestock industry.

Additionally, Ben Keogh from Australian Carbon Traders and Fiona Robertson from Department of Primary Industries Victoria will be discussing soil carbon.

Delegates will also hear from social commentator and demographer, Bernard Salt; University of Melbourne’s Professor Ross Garnaut and Professor Richard Eckard; CSIRO’s Sustainable Agriculture Flagship’s Brian Keating; and producers and sustainable farming advocates Lucinda Corrigan and Sam Archer.

In partnership with the conference sponsor, the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, CCRSPI is offering travel bursaries and conference fee subsidies for a limited number of farmers and farm consultants/advisors. The conference website’s registration page can for more information.

CCRSPI is a collaborative partnership that encourages and advocates national coordination and communication of climate change research, development and extension activity for Australia’s primary industries.

The conference will be held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground from November 27 to 29.

For information, registrations and to view the conference program, visit www.theccrspiconference.com.au.