Pastoralists and Graziers Association of WA convention returns after two-year COVID-19 hiatus

The Pastoralists and Graziers Association of WA’s annual convention will make a long-awaited return to Perth this month after a two-year hiatus.

The Perth convention — which the PGA promotes as the State’s premier pastoral industry conference and the biggest event on the group’s calendar — was cancelled in 2020 and 2021 because of COVID-19 restrictions.

This year’s event has been scaled back from two days to one and will be held at Crown Perth’s Botanicals venue on Wednesday, September 7, from 8.15am.

A swag of guest speakers will deliver presentations relating to this year’s theme of the future of agriculture — capitalising on global trends.

Event co-ordinator Jenni Stawell said it was a fitting theme as WA farmers and pastoralists grappled with the highest inflation rates in four decades.

“Responses to the global pandemic have left economies around the world in disarray and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has only exacerbated the issue,” she said.

“With governments also instituting unrealistic net zero emissions targets, (the results are) unstable financial markets, shortages in energy supply, and price instability worldwide. These are the topics that will be discussed.”

Presenters will include keynote speakers Daniel Wild, who is deputy executive director of the Institute of Public Affairs, and political commentator and GT Communications founder Gemma Tognini.

Mr Wild will speak about the “true costs” to agriculture of the Federal Government’s net zero emissions by 2050 target. Ms Tognini will deliver a presentation on why it is now “more important than ever” that the rural sector’s voices are heard.

Mid West Lawyers principal Tim Hayter will deliver a presentation on the opportunities and pitfalls of carbon farming. DPIRD executive director of biosecurity Mia Carbon will deliver an update on foot-and-mouth and lumpy skin disease.

Industry updates will be provided by Pastoral Lands Board chair Tim Shackleton, CropLife Australia chief executive Matthew Cossey, and the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development deputy director-general of primary industries development, Cec McConnell.

Other presenters will include Nutrien Ag Solutions west region livestock manager Leon Giglia, and Meat and Livestock Australia group manager of productivity and animal wellbeing David Beatty.

The event will be capped off with a gala dinner incorporating the presentation of PGA’s annual Achievement Award.

Email pga@pgaofwa.org.au or call 9212 6900 for bookings.