PORTFOLIO NEWS

Australian beef on the world stage

The Australian Government has committed $2.2 million in funding to help showcase Australian beef to the world through the nation’s largest beef cattle event—Beef Australia 2009. The funding has been provided under the Promoting Australian Produce (Major Events) initiative, which aims to boost innovation in the food and fibre sectors and improve efficiency along the supply chain. Beef Australia 2009 is a triennial event and will run from 4 to 9 May in Rockhampton. Read the media release online.

Supporting more Indigenous people in the pastoral industry

The Australian Government will provide $350 000 to support young Indigenous people keen to work in the pastoral industry and Indigenous employees on cattle stations. The Northern Territory Cattlemen’s Association will use the funding to provide training and on-site mentoring. The project is funded from the Community Networks and Capacity Building component of Australia’s Farming Future. Read the media release online.

PUBLICATIONS AND REPORTS

Wine grape production hit by drought and heat

Total Australian wine grape production is forecast to fall by 13 per cent to 1.6 million tonnes in 2008-09, as a result of ongoing shortages of water for irrigation and high temperatures in early 2009, according to a new ABARE report Australian wine grape production projections to 2010-11. For a free download visit the ABARE website or phone publications on 02 6272 2010.

AAWS08 International Animal Welfare Conference—papers now available

The AAWS08 International Animal Welfare Conference was held on the Gold Coast in Queensland from 31 August to 3 September 2008. The first conference of its type in Australia, this successful event attracted more than 350 delegates covering all animal management sectors. There were 88 presentations on a wide range of topics, from the welfare of racing greyhounds to consumer and media expectations of animal welfare in food production; from animal welfare in disasters to measuring cognition and emotion in animals; from town planning, the law and pets to the links between animal welfare and human health. Copies of a number of the conference papers are now available online. 

EVENTS

Coming to Kingaroy—ABARE’s Regional Outlook conference 

With the conference program tailored to your region, don’t miss this chance to hear from a diverse range of local speakers, complemented by ABARE economists and analysts at the Kingaroy Regional Outlook conference on Wednesday 29 April.

You can access the latest commodity data, economic forecast and research results plus hear innovative business stories and updates on regional industries.

Hear from speakers including:

ABARE’s Dr Terry Sheales on national and international issues affecting your region
Jeff Sabburg, Bureau of Meteorology, on the regional climate outlook
Karen Schneider from the Bureau of Rural Sciences discussing soil carbon for productivity or trading?
Peter Deuter, Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries on how horticulture is responding to the climate change challenge
Graeme Wright, Peanut Company of Australia, on building a sustainable farming system
Barb Madden from Smithfield Feedlot on investing in the future
Ian Rankine, Sky Shades Queensland, on the challenge of building a business in regional Australia
The conference is open to anyone with an interest in their community. This is your opportunity to make new contacts, discuss industry trends and to gain an understanding of global issues affecting your region.

Download the conference program and registration form at www.abare.gov.au/regional. Contact Angela Ellerman on 02 6272 2303 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it