PORTFOLIO NEWS

Swine Influenza

On 24 April 2009 the World Health Organization (WHO) advised the Australian Government of an outbreak of influenza. More information is available at the Department of Health and Ageing, the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry or by contacting:

Commonwealth Health Hotline for swine influenza: 1802007.
Information for travellers is available at 
  
Interim drought assistance for Bega Valley farmers

Interim drought assistance will be available to farmers in the Bega Valley area. Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke asked DAFF to urgently assess the merits of providing prima facie drought assistance for the area after the request from the NSW Minister for Primary Industries, Ian Macdonald. Read more online.

2009 Science and Innovation Awards for Young People in Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

Calling all young innovators, this one is for you…

• Do you have an innovative idea that will boost Australia's rural industries?
• Do you need up to $50 000 to make your idea reality?
• Do you want to kick start your career and build professional networks?
• Do you want media training to help promote your ideas?

If so, then apply for the 2009 Science and Innovation Awards now! The awards are open to young people aged 18 to 35 who want to make a real difference to Australia's rural industries. Applications close Friday 3 July 2009 at 5 pm. For more information and to download an application form, visit www.daff.gov.au/scienceawards or call the Science Awards Manager on 02 6272 5039. 

PUBLICATIONS AND REPORTS

ABARE to survey Australian vegetable growers

ABARE’s second survey of Australian vegetable growers will collect information about the profitability of Australia’s vegetable growing farms and the issues faced by growers. The survey results will assist with industry benchmarking to target industry efforts for performance improvement. The survey seeks information about production, financial situation and socio-economic characteristics of growers to help build a comprehensive database of valuable time series data. Results from the first survey of vegetable growers can be found in the report Australian vegetable growing farms; an economic survey, 2006-07 which can be downloaded from the ABARE website www.abare.gov.au.

EVENTS

Australian Farm Institute’s second Agriculture, Greenhouse and Emissions Trading Conference, Maroochydore QLD, 6-7 May 2009

The Agriculture, Greenhouse and Emissions Trading Conference 2009 will address key issues associated with implementing an Australian emissions trading scheme (ETS), and will identify the opportunities and challenges that face the sector arising from an ETS. View the preliminary program online. The conference is sponsored by the National Climate Change Research Strategy for Primary Industries (CCRSPI). CCRSPI is a joint initiative of all the rural research and development corporations, state and territory governments; the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry; and the CSIRO. CCRSPI is managed by Land & Water Australia. For more information email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or visit www.farminstitute.org.au.

National Farmers’ Federation inaugural National Congress, Brisbane Qld, 22-23 June 2009

The National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) has released the full program for its National Congress at the Brisbane Convention Centre, Queensland, over 22-23 June 2009. The program explores:

• global population, changing consumption patterns and new and future demand trends
• climate change
• the international food shortage
• Asian expansion and what it means for Australia
• food production and environmental flows in a water-scarce world
• supply chain developments—from farmers, to consumers and everything in between
• new technology and farm business tools in the face of drought and the global financial crisis
• genetically modified crops—the science, farm practicality and consumer issues.

The registration and information brochure is available at www.congress.nff.org.au. The National Congress Gala Dinner includes the announcement and presentation of the NFF/DAFF 2009 Innovation in Agriculture Awards in a ceremony showcasing modern farm practices.