AGFORCE members will peek into the future of Queensland agriculture when the 2015 State Conference begins in Toowoomba today.
AgForce general president Grant Maudsley said the two-day event entitled 'Time to unite and link with the future' would identify how agriculture can tackle oncoming challenges.
"It's an important time for our industry with challenges such as drought and many positives because of the high demand for quality Queensland beef, sheep meat, wool and grain," Mr Maudsley said.
"It's up to us, as an industry, to unite and focus on getting the most from those opportunities rather than looking back at the past or focussing on failures."
More than 160 AgForce members and guests will hear from Minister for State Development and Natural Resources Dr Anthony Lynham, University of Southern Queensland's Professor Geoff Slaughter, and former cattle vet, abattoir manager and pork farmer, now futurist Paul Higgins.
Some of the industry's most successful business people will also speak, including Terry Nolan from Gympie's Nolan Meats and South Australian wool expert Andrew Dennis.
"We spend a lot of time dealing with day-to-day issues," Mr Maudsley said.
"Today we are going to spend some time on how we keep moving forward in areas such as animal welfare, sustainable farming and grazing, social and environmental responsibility."
Toowoomba Regional Council mayor Paul Antonio opened the conference with an impassioned speech about the potential for the region.
"It's a pleasure to have this opportunity," Mr Antonio said.
"Agriculture is the key economic driver in this community and we’re the strongest ag producing sector in regional Queensland."
With more than 3500 residents employed in the agricultural sector, Mr Antonio said an increased export market and expanding transportation services, including the much anticipated second range crossing, would continue to see the region grow.
Key speakers will focus on food security, environmental sustainability and animal welfare throughout the conference.
