A legacy of 2020 is that have all become quite comfortable with online meetings and catching up on missed recorded events in our own time.

Technology has served us well and will continue to do so into the future. As busy business owners however, it is important that we invest time in quality professional development.

“Networking and information sharing in person is more valuable than ever.”

That is the message from Crop Consultants Australia Director and Goondiwindi Agronomist David Kelly who, along with his fellow CCA Directors is in the process of finalising the content for CCA’s 2021 face to face events.

After the 2020 hiatus on face-to-face events, COVID restrictions permitting, CCA will host their annual two-day Seminar in Narrabri on 23-24 June 2021.

It will be two years since the group has met, and Mr Kelly makes the point that the planned agenda reflects the vastly different seasonal conditions that many of Australia’s key cropping regions have experienced since 2019.

In keeping with the CCA focus on timely delivery on innovative research to support independent consultants, the agenda is not driven by delivery of existing research projects. Instead, members have regular opportunities throughout the year to suggest relevant topics that will contribute to current seasonal decision making.

This year, speakers and panel discussions will focus on the latest management strategies including the overseas experience with Fall armyworm and mirids. Irrigation scheduling and the latest technology to support in field decision making will also be high on the agenda as will disease management for pulses and cereals.

As a professional development group for independent agronomists, CCA also plans to run two specialised regional workshops in 2021 which will be livestreamed for members outside the regions. The first, a business management masterclass in Goondiwindi on 9 September will provide participants with an opportunity to assess software options, HR tools and resources to help take the headache out of day-to-day business management.

The week following, on the 16^th of September in Griffith, the event will showcase ‘Crops less planted.’ 

“At this event we will be providing speakers and information sources on many of those crops we hear about, but on which information is not as readily available. We aim to have a firsthand insight from consultants and growers who have experience in the production and pitfalls of less mainstream crops and varieties,” Mr Kelly said.

Registration to CCA events is open to all. At a time when we are all looking to reconnect at a personal level, growers, researchers, consultants, and broader industry members are encouraged to mark the dates in their diaries and register their interest online.

Information on the events, including a link to register on the invitation list is available at https://cropconsultants.com.au/events/.