Farmers' climate change concerns will be heard when experts explain the effect weather trends have on farming at a conference in Orange next month.
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The Risks and Rewards of Farming in a Changing Climate workshop will aim to help build farmers' understanding and resilience to climate change, while also hearing what the experts have to say about the issue.
Larras Lee farmer Rob Lee said while the conference may be in Orange, it's for farmers right across the Central West including Bathurst, Cowra, Mudgee, Oberon and Wellington.
Mr Lee's property at Larras Lee - just north of Molong - has both sheep and beef, however, he's had a significant drop in numbers due to the drought.
He said the conference was about getting farmers and the experts in the same room to talk about climate change.
"A lot of the farmers I talk to are sceptical about the science around climate change and say climate change is natural and not man-made," he said
More and more farmers are getting worried and they can't ignore what's happening,
- Rob Lee
"But more and more farmers are getting worried and they can't ignore what's happening.
"There are big concerns about the extreme heat and water evaporation in summer, as well as the lack of winter rain which is leaving the dams dry.
"Farmers keep hearing about climate change a lot and they want more information. That's why we put on this conference because we want to get the experts in and explain their research."
The conference - which is supported by the Farmers for Climate Action - will be held at the Orange Ex-Services' Club on September 10.
The keynote speakers on the night will be Richard Heath from the Australian Farm Institute and Richard Bull, a former NSW Nationals MP and NSW Local Land Services board chairman.
The Guardian Australia journalist Gabrielle Chan will be the special guest MC on the night with other speakers including Dr Lynette Bettio from the Bureau of Meteorology, Dr Steve Crimp from the Australian National University, Associate Professor Jacki Schirmer from the University of Canberra, Pip Band from Meat and Livestock Australia, Ryan Gale from MinterEllison and Reiss McLeod from the Institute for Development of Environmental-Economic Accounting.
"We want to get the farmers and the experts in the same room and explain what's happening," Mr Lee said.
"The farmers will get a perspective of the position they're in with the climate and the action that is being taken by the experts, with technological breakthroughs that are helping farmers. The experts will also be honest about the situation we're in."
Register at www.farmersforclimateaction.org.au/events.
A ticket for the all-day conference, which runs from 8am to 7pm, costs $60, or $80 for an evening of cocktails and canapes afterwards.
