Build up begins for nation's premier agricultural event

6 February 2012

National and international decision makers are preparing for the agricultural sector’s key annual conference, Outlook, to be held in Canberra on 6-7 March.
Organised by the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES), Outlook enables participants to hear the latest agricultural forecasts for both the short term and the next five years.

“Outlook is Australia's premier agriculture, fisheries and forestry event, which will examine issues facing these sectors, recent movements in global markets and future opportunities for Australian producers,” ABARES Executive Director Paul Morris said.

“This 42nd ABARES Outlook conference comes amid significant developments in global markets such as those in Europe, Asia and North America. Outlook will give key decision makers the forecasts they need to make informed policy and business decisions.”

The theme of Outlook 2012 is Australia’s future landscapes — physical, economic, social and political. Included are sessions on the Australian and international economies, global food markets, biosecurity, climate change, productivity, reform in the Murray-Darling Basin, innovation, and the future of Australian farming.

The conference also coincides with the release of the ABARES quarterly Agricultural Commodities, which will provide detailed short and medium-term forecasts for the major agricultural industries.

ABARES provides independent, world-class research, analysis and advice to inform decision-makers on policy challenges affecting Australia’s primary industries.

Outlook 2012 will be held at the National Convention Centre in Canberra, featuring presentations by ABARES senior analysts, Westpac’s Chief Economist Bill Evans, Bruce Kasman of JP Morgan Chase, Luke Bowen of the Northern Territory Cattlemen’s Association, Mark Rosegrant of the International Food Policy Research Institute, University of Minnesota R&D expert Professor Philip Pardey, and Xiao–ya Wei of Australian Wool Innovation (China) among others.

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