• Online webinar on Tuesday 8 November to help farmers navigate impact of farm inputs, fertiliser and commodity price volatility options for 2023

As the price of fertiliser and other farm inputs continues to rise, Charles Sturt University is offering a free online webinar to help farmers, industry professionals and University alumni navigate the decision-making process to find the right solution.

The Charles Sturt School of Agricultural, Environmental and Veterinary Sciences is hosting an online professional development event focusing on the farmer decision-making processes through unprecedented price increases.

Fertiliser prices have increased by 100 and 200 per cent since 2020 and the cost of fuel continues to rise. Charles Sturt is hoping to equip farmers with the knowledge and confidence to navigate these issues, among others, moving into 2023.

The webinar, titled ‘Impact of farm inputs, fertiliser and commodity price volatility’, will be held via Zoom on Tuesday 8 November.

The webinar will offer industry knowledge and insight on research results on farmer decision-making processes, volatility of farm inputs, fertiliser and commodity prices, factors that may affect forecast prices for the next year and options for farmers to manage input costs risks.

Guest speakers include Charles Sturt’s Senior Lecturer in Agribusiness Dr Christine Storer (pictured, inset), Senior Lecturer in Agronomy Dr Jeff McCormick, and Mr Jonathan Medway from the University’s Gulbali Institute for Agriculture, Water and Environment. They will be joined by Agriculture Analyst at Rabobank Mr Dennis Voznesenski.

Dr Storer said the industry has seen a lot of unexpected price increases in the past few years and this webinar will provide farmers, industry partners and alumni with knowledge on how to navigate those changes.

“Wheat farmers spent an average $271,000 on top-up fertiliser after the crops were planted in for 2021, which was double what was spent in 2020 and more was expected to be spent this year,” she said.

“For some farmers, this was an increase from $1 million to $2 million, which is difficult to manage when it is unexpected. 

“How farmers respond to the volatility in farm inputs like fertiliser, chemicals and fuel as well as the prices they receive for commodities affects all businesses working with farmers.”

The webinar will also have information on the new postgraduate agriculture courses, including the Graduate Certificate in Agriculture, Graduate Certificate in Agriculture Business Management and Graduate Certificate in Sustainable Agriculture, suited to those in the industry that want to upskill or change their career direction.

The online event will be held on Tuesday 8 November from 7pm to 8.30pm. This event is free to attend but reservations must be made via the Eventbrite website.