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

24th Annual Conference – The Grass is Greener

4th – 6th August 2009
Manning Entertainment Centre, Taree

Programe summary below. 
Click here to download Conference Flyer.

Day 1 Tuesday 4th August
Registration (4.00 pm to 4.45 pm) at MEC and Annual General Meeting (5.00 pm) at Taree Leagues Club, followed by dinner.

Day 2 Wednesday 5th August
Registration (8.00 to 8.45 am) at MEC
Welcome (9.00 am)
Session 1 (9.30 am) :  Greener Grass – on the coast
Terry Launders, Senior Research Agronomist, NSW DPI
Allan Edwards, Ellis & Butler Pty Ltd, Stock & Station Agent
James Laurie, beef producer, Gloucester
Chris and Sally Maslen, dairy farmers, Gloucester
Session 2 (11.30 am) :  Greener Grass – at what cost?
Dr Jim Gibbs, Lincoln University, New Zealand
Peter Notman, dairy farmer, Gippsland/Walcha
Tammy Farrell, Core Health, Rural Health Worker

Local Tours (1.30 pm)

• Tour A – Silage Contracting
  (Visit two local properties and look at different forms of silage storage, feed out and use. Hear direct from silage contractors)
• Tour B – Terry’s Mystery Tour
  Look at pasture improvement options available for beef production. Visit top class country along the river at Glenthorne, then see native pastures via Purfleet, Burrell Creek and Wingham.
• Tour C – Flood Plain Tour
  Cruise down the Manning River while inspecting and listening to riverbank restoration, acid sulphate soil issues and visit a 500 cow dairy operating on the lower flood plains.
• Tour D – Managing pastures to meet market specifications
  Meet Wingham Beef Exports at Wingham Showground for advice on local and export trade specifications, with a range of market cattle and pastures to inspect.

Conference Dinner (6.30 pm)
Dinner at the Winning Post Function Centre, Taree. Dinner guest speaker Heath Francis, gold medal winning Para-Olympian with a story to tell about farm safety. Also the announcement and presentation of the Hay and Silage Feed Quality Awards.

Day 3 Thursday 6th August
Session 3 (8.30 am) :   Greener Grass – from the soil up
Dr Bill Slattery, DECC, Senior Research Scientist
Dr Roger Hegarty, NSW DPI, Principal Research Scientist
Ross Elphick, beef producer, Wingham
David Williams, dairy farmer, Vacy

Session 4 (11.30 am) :  Greener Grass – climate change implications
Dr David Hennessy
Prof. Bob Martin, University of New England
Col Cowan, dairy farmer, Hannam Vale
Carol Rose, NSW DPI, Kempsey

End of Conference and Lunch – 1:30pm

Hope to see you all there.  For more information, please contact NSW DPI at Taree – Ray Johnston or Tracey (02) 6552 7299, or Michelle Blakeney on (02) 6552 1886.

Just q quick heads-up about the 2009 conference.

The conference will be held in Taree and feature the following themes:

• Exploring advantages of coastal dairy and beef pastures
• The impacts and implications of climate change on pasture systems
• International and local speakers

There will also be a range of exciting farm tours in and around the Manning Valley.

Stay tuned for more details.