Farmers are being encouraged to sign up for the National Farmers Federation inaugural "Modern Farmers" national congress on June 22 and 23.

Highlights include:

• British food marketing guru, Professor David Hughes, will give the congress keynote address on international and consumer trends driving food production.

He sees positive long-term demand for food and fibre signs, but also some significant volatility in world markets in the next few years.

He will argue that, for Australia to compete successfully in premium markets around the world, consumer interests will be king. Farmers must become world leaders in ethical production with high environmental and ethical standards.

• Climate change will feature heavily, with an address from controversial author Professor Ian Plimer on some of the "irrational" elements within the green movement and what he sees as the politics behind the greenhouse gas debate.

• Global food supply situation and Australia's response, Asian growth and Australian opportunity, modern farm tools, and a supply chain session titled "farm to fork".

NFF chief executive officer, Ben Fargher, said unless farmers and the agricultural industry get together and debate these issues, Governments of all persuasions would go ahead and make decisions without them.

The NFF has sometimes been criticised for being "stuck in Canberra" or not easy to communicate with - he sees the congress as a chance for producers to "talk to us" about these major national and international concerns for agriculture.

"This is the time to be showcasing agriculture," Mr Fargher said.

"This is the sector that is really performing - we need the right policies to keep it performing so well."

* For details or to register contact (02) 6251 0675 or visit www.congress.nff.org.au