THE YIN annual forum and dinner was held on 18th November, 2005 in Moama and was attended by about 40 people. A number attended the day session, and several others only attended the dinner. The majority of delegates were not growers. Two speakers were initially programmed for the morning session but a last minute withdrawal left Sandy Hopkins as the only presenter.

Environmental Champions

Sandy Hopkins presented the Environmental Champions Program (EPC) for rice growers. The EPC is a volunteer program designed around a 5 step process. The three main outcomes of the project are to achieve an increase in profits/ yield, reduce negative perceptions of rice growers and maintain sustainable farming practices. By being part of the champions program a rice grower is recognised for their on-farm achievements and good management, has access to a group of growers that they can network with, and discuss fundamental management problems and ideas; the involved rice growers are also provided understandable and concise information about legislation effecting rice production. Currently the champions program has 30 growers participating, and all have achieved step 1, with 29 looking to continue to step 2.

Workshop – Personal Training Plan

The aim of the workshop was to guide delegates in assessing and realising goals they wished to achieve in 10 years. Personal, social and business goals were looked at and emphasis was made on outlining both skills and knowledge required for each. Finally an action plan was developed for three goals, to enable the delegate to see a clear path to achieving their goals.

Discussion panel on teaching and learning facilities.

The panel of experts included representatives from TAFE, universities and private personnel training companies. Each expert started by outlining what type of education they can provide (degrees, courses and individual subjects), with all able to provide long distance, on line and classroom education. It was emphasised that now all education providers can assess and recognise prior learning skills. Therefore, people will not have to waist time and money learning something they already know. Furthermore, accredited education programs can now be tailored for a particular group or subject. Tapping into government funding for these tailored programs could also allow for free education. It was discussed that with an "accredited "education a grower could have more influence on politicians making legislative decisions when their advice is compared with "professionals". Suggestions for possible courses included improving negotiating skills, as growers find it difficult to negotiate higher prices for their produce.

Guest Speaker, James Moody from CSIRO – seen on the "New Inventors" ABC program.

James talked about innovation and some of the major innovations since the beginning of the industrial period and his ideas on what the next major innovation would be. Innovation is where a new invention is linked with the end user. James gave a description of where innovation had worked. The most recent innovation wave includes tela communications and the Internet. Consumers realised that by using inventions like the Internet they could reduce their transaction costs. The need to reduce transaction costs made the link between the invention and the end user.

With the current state of resources, James made the prediction that the next wave of innovation will be to better utilise and reuse our resources. James gave the example of a carpet manufacture realising the amount of rubbish they has contributed to land fill. The carpet manufacture then changed the way he made carpet so that, after use it could be pulled apart, cleaned and made into new carpet. The carpet manufacturer then leased out carpet achieving profits from the reuse of materials.

Conference Sponsors and Photos of Speakers (Powerpoint presentation)

Conference Sponsors & Photos

Day 1: Session 1: The Hon Warren Truss MP: Conference Opening Address (Available Soon)

Day 1: Session 2: Michael Hughes: Overview of the Young Irrigation Network (Available Soon)

Day 1: Session 3: Jenny Goldie - Sustainable Population Australia (International Water Wars)

Jenny Goldie

Day 1: Session 3: Scott Keyworth - Murray Darling Basin Commission - The Living Murray  (Available Soon)

Day 1: Session 4: Bart Challacombe (Overview of the NSW Irrigation Industry) Bart Challacombe - Overview of NSW

Day 1: Session 4: Gino La Morticella (Overview of the Victorian Irrigation Industry)  Gino Morticella - Overview of Vic.

Day 1: Session 4: Monique Aucote (Overview of the South Australian Irrigation Industry) Monique Aucote

Day 1: Session 4: Peter Nardi (Overview of the Qld Irrigation Industry)  Peter Nardi 

Day 1: Session 4: Helen Ramsey (Overview of the WA Irrigation Industry) Helen Ramsey

Day 2: Session 1: Jeff McMullen (No presentation available at this time)

Day 2: Session 1: John Blackwell CSIRO Land & Water - John Blackwell

Day 2: Session 2: Peter Dickie & Louis Sartor (Horticultural Vision 2010)  (Available Soon)

Day 2: Session 2: Rebecca Osmotherly (Overview of Broadacre Irrigated Farming Operation at Wagga): Rebecca Osmotherly

Day 2: Session 2: John Hamparsum (Getting Involved in the Decision Making Process) John Hamparsum

Day 2: Session 2: Tim McKindlay (World Congress of Young Farmers -Paris 2003) (No presentation available at this time)