NSW DPI and the Mid Coast Dairy Advancement Group, in conjunction with the Grassland Society of NSW, will host the 24th Annual Grassland Society Conference on the 5th and 6th August 2009 at Taree.
The conference theme “The Grass is Greener” will explore the advantages of coastal dairy and beef production pastures. The impacts and implication of climate change on pasture systems as well as on livestock and personal health will be discussed. The conference will also include exciting tours to some of the largest dairy farms on the coast to explore their production systems.
International and local speakers, including local dairy and beef producers, will deliver presentations at the conference.
Key note speaker for the conference is Dr Jim Gibbs from Lincoln University in New Zealand. Jim is a senior researcher in livestock health and production from the New Zealand South Island. He will discuss the impact of high pasture intake on dairy cow health especially the role of rumen pH and function and its implications for lameness.
Peter Notman from Walcha Dairy will compare large scale dairying on northern NSW to the Gippsland area and discuss developing pastures on new frontiers.
At the conference dinner Heath Francis, gold medal winning Para-Olympian will share his experiences about farm safety.
At this year’s conference we will be holding a Hay and Silage Feed Quality competition which is open to any commercial producer. Thanks to sponsorship we can offer discounted feed analysis and $5000 worth of prizes to be presented at the conference dinner. Entry forms and instructions are available from NSW DPI offices.
A large number of poster and trade exhibits will be available with the capacity for interactive experiences and displays.
It is fully expected the grassland conference will be the major dairy event for NSW in 2009 and we encourage interested people to register early. Registration forms will be available at this website or from the conference organisers closer to the event.
Further information on costs and early registration are available from
* NSW DPI, Ray Johnston or Tracey (02) 6552 7299
* Michelle Blakeney on (02) 6552 1886
