Chairman Kevin Tongue, who was returned to the position for another term, said the combined branches’ next task was to prepare for the state association’s annual conference in July at Luna Park.

“Our next meeting is on the 26th of April, and we’ll have to have our motions finalised to put to the annual conference,” Mr Tongue said.

Read more:

“I’m sure there’ll be discussion about the finalisation of the native vegetation act, as well as the proposed changes to lamb definitions that could devalue Australian lamb.”

Laurie Chaffey was returned as branch secretary and Melissa Gamble as treasurer.

Mr Tongue said the Tamworth members welcomed the Manilla members in the fold.

“Tamworth’s a fairly active branch and Manilla was in a slowdown period, so they’ve come and joined us now; they had some of their members there, so that was great.”

Mr Tongue said his goal for the coming year was, as always, to keep farming and farmers top-of-mind.

“I said ... in my annual report that I’ve done a few TV, newspaper and radio interviews, and the aim is to keep agriculture in the focus of our city cousins,” he said.

As for the challenges of his role in the next 12 months, Mr Tongue said he didn’t see any large ones – except for the usual.

“This bloody dry weather’s not helping,” he said late last week.

“It’s a big challenge locally in strips; some parts of the Tamworth district are good, but we are shocking out here at Loomberah – absolutely woeful.”

Mr Tongue said some members also had concerns about the wind farm proposed for Nundle, “so we’ll what comes of that; it’s only in the early stages at this stage”.