Farmers from Inverell were among those who shaped the united voice of farming related issues as diverse as on-farm carbon sequestration, grain freight and assistance for first-time farm buyers.

NSW Farmers’ Association President Jock Laurie is now urging the Australian community to help agriculture find a balance to meet future food production demands at a time when regulation, input costs and unfavourable conditions are challenging the farming sector.

“The industry is at a crossroads, with many farmers facing a myriad of issues affecting the way they do business - but we need to find a way,” Mr Laurie said.

“We want to see sustainable environmental practices, sustainable food production levels and also prosperous rural communities - so farmers can continue to do what they do best.”

At the conference, Yeoval sheep producer Nigel Kerin took out the NSW Farmer of the Year and was recognised for his ability to change with the times particularly through his focus on environmental wealth over monetary rewards.

Meanwhile, the NSW Farmers’ Association 2008 Tertiary Education Scholarship recipients were Edmund Green (Nimmitabel), Pip Job (Cumnock), Jessica Lee (Larras Lee), Lachlan Rothwell (Mendooran), James Austin (Trangie), Ashlene McKay (Canowindra), Matt Schiller (Hay) and Katherine Amos (Gunnedah).