ABOUT 50 people attended the Macquarie River Food and Fibre (MRFF) Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the Trangie Bowling Club on Wednesday to hear National Farmers Federation (NFF) CEO Matt Linnegar speak on issues affecting agriculture.
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The effect the recent election will have on agriculture, anti-agricultural campaigns and social media were all topics touched upon by Mr Linnegar.
Major issues surrounding irrigated agriculture in the Macquarie Valley were also discussed with members at the AGM.
The discussion focused on the proposal by State Water to move towards higher fixed water charges, improving the current management and monitoring arrangements for the increasing share of environmental water holdings and for more accessible information on the management of Burrendong Dam, Windamere Dam and the river system.
MRFF executive officer Susan Madden said MRFF would look to pursue these issues on behalf of our members over the coming months.
In his presentation at the AGM, Mr Linnegar told the crowd the NFF would be looking to hold the new government to account on their agriculture commitments.
"These include the re-prioritisation of agriculture in the national agenda, the pledge to cut red and green tape, and to invest $100 million in agricultural research, development and extension," Ms Madden said.
He noted in particular that investment in irrigation R&D had declined in recent years and “we need a boost in this area”.
Ms Madden said Mr Linnegar's presentation encouraged producers to get involved in promoting the industry.
"Matt also spoke to us about the role of representative and advocacy groups in Australian agriculture, and drew on some recent experiences that the NFF has had in countering activists pursuing anti-agricultural campaigns," she said.
"He said that all farmers can play a role in "telling Australia's farming story" and highlighted that social media is providing new opportunities to do this."
Ms Madden said the AGM in Trangie was a success, drawing a good crowd.
"In addition to our guest speaker Matt Linnegar from the NFF, we also welcomed the attendance of the Mayor of Narromine Bill McAnally and representatives from a number of our local networks and partners, including Cotton Australia, NSW Farmers' Association, State Water and Regional Development Australia Orana," she said.
A number of MRFF's members, major sponsors Rabobank, and a number of local businesses that are associate members of MRFF were also amongst the crowd at the AGM.
