Future Farmer Forums

The Cohuna A. P. & H. Society will be running two farmer forums over the coming months. The forums are funded through a Gannawarra Shire Community Resilience grant and will be free to attend.

The first of the two, to be held on Thursday, April 29 is titled ‘Future Planning’ and focuses on financial and succession planning. Lachlan Barnes from Murray Dairy will present ‘Our Farm, Our Plan’ and John Archibald from Red Lion Advisory will present ‘Financial and Succession Planning’. Roger Griffiths, the Gannawarra Shire Economic Development Manager, will provide a development update on the piggery and cannabis farm in the Gannawarra Shire. 

The second forum, on Thursday, May 20, focuses on irrigation. Lachlan Barnes from Murray Dairy will talk on the differences between the New South Wales and Victorian water systems. Shaanie Webb from Nutrien Harcourt will discuss what you can do with your water right, when she presents ‘Your Water, Your Choice’. The final speaker will be Matthew Hawken from DJPR, discussing how to use your on-farm water efficiently. 

Traditionally the A. P. & H. Society, which was established in 1911, held seminars regularly for the community. Part of the aims of the society is to educate people, introduce topics of conversation and new technology. 

While it hasn’t held sessions like this for many years, this grant has allowed the society to return to providing the community with information.

Forum co-ordinator, Rob Shanahan, said, “We’re putting information out there for people to use. The first session will show you how to plan your finances for retirement, and succession planning, and how to plan the farm so the handover is seamless. This will definitely be beneficial for farmers to come and listen to.” 

Both sessions will be held at the football complex at the Cohuna Recreation Reserve from 10am to 2pm. There is no charge for either session, and a light lunch is provided. Farmers are welcome to attend just one, or both sessions. With a limit of 30 at each session, it is advisable to book. All enquiries and bookings can be made with Rob Shanahan on 5456 2373.