To be held in June next year in Brisbane, the NFF congress will follow the theme: 'Modern Farmers – growing opportunities today... meeting the challenges of tomorrow'.

"For the first time, the NFF is bringing farmers, whole-of-chain participants, government and leading experts in their fields together to discuss and debate the major issues, challenges and opportunities ahead of Australian agriculture and, indeed, the world," NFF president David Crombie said.

"The 2009 Congress, which will be an annual event, will address the critical issues of our time and, importantly, each session will feature dedicated time for questions from the floor to allow farmers to have their say by asking questions of the experts."

Topics and issues to be canvassed at the two-day event, include climate change, the global food crisis, Asian growth and Australian opportunities, drought and water, risk management, labour shortages, and genetically modified organisms

"We will also launch the NFF 2009 Innovation in Agriculture Awards, which will showcase the best of modern farming practices from four categories: Sustainability, Value Adding, New Technology and Community Development," Mr Crombie added.

* More information is available from www.congress.nff.org.au.