New England Weeds Authority in conjunction with the Weeds Society of NSW and the NSW Department of Primary Industries will host the 19th NSW Weeds Conference at the University of New England, Armidale from 16 -19 October 2017.
Image - Serrated Tussock is a 'Weed of National Significance'.
The Chairman of New England Weeds Authority, Councillor Mark Dusting said “we are delighted to be hosting such a prestigious conference that will bring together delegates from not only across the State but from interstate as well. With the recent introduction of the new Biosecurity Act 2015, and the fact that the financial impact of weeds on agriculture alone costs approximately $2.5 billion a year in lost production and an estimated further $1.8 billion annually in control activities, there has never been a more important time to come together to meet the many and varied challenges faced by weed professionals and the industry in general.
He added, The Conference will be a unique opportunity for the State’s weeds professionals and related industry representatives, researchers, market and industry analysts, government officials and policy makers to showcase their work, network ideas and share in a vision for the future of the weeds industry”.
The Conference Organising Committee have been working hard over the last few months to ensure that delegates will not only have an enjoyable stay in Armidale and the New England region but that they will also be challenged, captivated and inspired by the renowned speakers at the Conference, the spectacular field trips, impressive trade displays, conference dinner as well as importantly discussing problems and issues of mutual interest.
The theme of the conference, “Experience the highs – working smarter together” looks to build on the successes of the past whilst looking to the future as the industry transitions into a new era in weed management and control under the new Biosecurity legislation, an approach that must be based on regional cooperation as well as providing a common focus for the actions of the various land managers across all tenures.
With this in mind session themes have been based on Biosecurity in Action; Technology & Innovation; Community, Extension & Social Marketing; Collaboration & Case
Studies with a special feature being the Open Debate titled, “A landholder biosecurity duty is the best approach to managing established weeds”.
The Conference opening will include local dignitaries along with Mr Scott Hanson, Director General, NSW Department of Primary Industries, with the key note address by Prof David Lamb, McClymont Distinguished Professor (Research), Precision Agriculture Research Group, University of New England who will be speaking on "Connecting to our farming future”.
Registrations are still open for the conference with all details regarding the program, field trips, sponsors and exhibitors plus much more are available on the conference website: http://conferencecompany.com.au/weedsconference/program/.
