The 2020 Hunter Livestock Forum will explore on-farm decision making considering the importance of looking after your people, land and business through a series of free fortnightly webinars commencing Friday 26 June.

Hunter Local Land Services Chair, and President of the Cattle Council, Tony Hegarty is one of the guest presenters.

He runs a family farm near Cassilis and said many producers underestimate the importance of making timely decisions, even if they are difficult.

"What Hunter Local Land Services learned about our customers during the recent drought is often it's decision paralysis that is the biggest problem," said Tony.

"So, what we want to do is provide producers with the strategies and tools, the 'what', 'where' and 'why' they need to know so they can move forward."

Understanding the decision making process is just the beginning said Tony, because planning is critical to surviving and thriving in the agricultural industry.

"It's about being counter-cyclical in your decision making, plan for drought when you are in a good season and when you are in drought plan for your recovery."

"We make decisions and sometimes it's not easy - it's quite emotional selling a breeding herd that has just finished calving, but we have to focus on the people, the economics and the landscape, it's that holistic approach that is important.

"There is no such thing as making the right decision, they are just good decisions, we won't always get it right, but making a decision means you can move on and that is a good decision."

Originally planned as a regional event, COVID-19 has seen the Hunter Livestock Forum now move online as a series of interactive webinars. This means local producers can now access nationally recognised industry leaders through the click of a button at home! Each webinar will include a question and answer session, giving producers the opportunity to get the key note speaker's perspectives on matters of local interest.

Some of the guest presenters will include:

Cam Nicolson from Nicon Rural Services who will speak on "The Science of Decision Making - the heart, head and gut of decision making"

Matthew Milne, Coordinator at the Rural Mental Health Advisory Program (RAHMP) 'Minimising the stress of decision-making'

Graham Creed, ABC Weather Presenter will provide a climate update and tips for understanding the lastest weather forecasting tools and services

Producers are being asked to register now by visiting: https://hunterlls.wufoo.com/forms/2020-hunter-livestock-forum/

For more information please contact Hunter Local Land Services on 1300 795 299.