Farmers will be hoping to strike pay dirt when they converge on Cairns for the second National Biological Farming Conference and Expo from October 28-31.
Some of the best farmers and agricultural researchers in the world will join around 400 delegates and over 40 exhibitors for four days of field tours, presentations, discussions and workshops.
Conference organiser Fiona George, Regional Landcare Facilitator at Terrain NRM in the Wet Tropics, said the focus of the event is on large-scale farmers who are taking steps to understand the interrelationship between the physical, chemical and biological aspects of their soil.
“These farmers are reducing chemical inputs, increasing crop diversity and adding compost, which all adds up to improved soil health for profit, community and environment,” Ms George said.
Close to 50 speakers are lined up to speak at the conference including farmers, agronomists and researchers from around Australia, the USA and New Zealand.
They will be covering a range of topics such as composting, climate resilience, drones, dung beetles, biochar and bioherbicides.
Biological systems have moved from the backyard into medium and large-scale farming enterprises as farmers around the country join the search for knowledge and skills in biological farming practices.
Farmers and graziers will be sharing their stories, lessons and insights gained from adopting biological farming practices in a in a range of industries from wheat, sheep, beef cattle, dairying, cotton and grains, sugar cane, bananas, viticulture and tree crops.
The event includes an expo with exhibitors demonstrating biological farming techniques, products and practices to help farmers learn how to make changes on large-scale enterprises.
Pre-conference tours and post-conference workshops will introduce delegates to biological farm practices close up. The conference will close with a vision for agriculture in 2060.
The conference is convened by Wet Tropics Soilcare, Terrain NRM and SoilCare Inc with funding provided by the Australian Government and several other sponsors.
Registrations close 21 October. To purchase tickets go to www.nationalbiologicalfarmingconference.org.au For more information contact Fiona George on 0488 702203 or email info@nationalbiologicalfarmingconference.org.au