26 June 2009 Trans-Tasman approach to farming with climate change - seminar at Lincoln University

Trans-Tasman strategies for farming with climate change go under the spotlight in a free public seminar at Lincoln University on Tuesday 7 July sponsored by the Agricultural and Marketing Research and Development Trust (AGMARDT).

The seminar, hosted by the Lincoln University Alumni Association, features case study presentations by two leading farmers with first hand experience of the impact of climate change  -  beef breeder Don Lawson of Victoria, Australia, and mixed sheep and beef farmer Doug Avery of the Starborough-Flaxbourne area of South Marlborough.

“We're not going to be looking at the causes of climate change - that's for others to ponder and debate,” says AGMARDT's General Manager, Stephen Macaulay. “How farmers adapt their farm management practices to mitigate the risk of adverse climate changes represents a significant challenge to New Zealand in the future.

“With Don Lawson and Doug Avery we have two men with solid experience of farming in challenging climatic conditions. Points made in their presentations will be pulled together at the seminar by Hawkes Bay farmer Hugh Ritchie.

“We hope the seminar will encourage farmers and representatives from the agribusiness sector with an interest in agricultural productivity to critically assess the issues, options and needs of the farming sector facing changing climatic conditions.

“Without a doubt the East Coast of New Zealand and the state of Victoria in Australia are two areas that currently have clearly definable concerns relating to climate change.

“Small global changes in climate will be felt first in terms of farm productivity in the more marginal farming areas or those that are reliant on irrigation.”

The Lincoln University AGMARDT Trans-Tasman seminar is being held in the C1 lecture theatre in the Commerce Building on the Lincoln University campus, from 12.00 - 1.30pm on Tuesday 7 July. There will be light finger food available from 11.30am.  The seminar is free, no prior registration is required but for catering purposes please RSVP, if possible, to sarah.currie@lincoln.ac.nz Everyone interested in agriculture, the agricultural industry, agribusiness and associated activities is welcome. 

Speakers' Biographical Notes:

Don Lawson, born in Melbourne, was an agricultural science student at Lincoln University in the 1960s and President of the Students' Association. Returning to his native Australia after graduation, he was initially a college lecturer then bought a rabbit-infested farm with his father and eventually set about establishing an Angus stud, “Ythanbrae”, centred on Yea in central Victoria. Don pioneered recording and genetic evaluation in the beef industry with the system now known as Breedplan.  Through hard work, passion and innovation Don and his family established Lawson Angus, today one of the largest Angus seedstock operations in Australia. The operation has persisted through droughts and remains at the forefront of innovation.  An alliance with Gardiner Angus Ranch, Kansas, USA, has made them together one of the biggest Angus breeding alliances in the world.   In 1992 Don was awarded the Howard Yelland Award for services to the Australian beef industry and in 2002 he received an Order of Australia Medal also for services to the beef industry. In 2007 he received Lincoln University's International Alumni Medal for distinguished contributions to agricultural interests in his home country.

Doug Avery and his family farm “Bonavaree” near Seddon, in Marlborough. The Starborough-Flaxbourne district has always been drought-prone, but year after year of rainfall well below the district average of 573mm took its toll and the farm's financial, environmental and social viability was threatened. The Averys have, however, survived through embarking on a “journey” applying new thinking to old tools, especially the use of lucerne and fodder crops, aided by Lincoln University research and the work of Professor Derrick Moot in particular. The Averys have learnt to live with the conditions they have, rather than sit around waiting for rain. Today the farm's profitability and production are curving ever upwards.