PORTFOLIO NEWS
Largest biochar research project in Australia's history

The Australian Government has announced $1.4 million for the biggest biochar research project in Australia’s history—and one of the biggest in the world. The CSIRO will coordinate the three-year project, to look at biochar’s potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and boost farm productivity.  For more information visit www.daff.gov.au/emissions-reduction. Read the media release at http://www.maff.gov.au/media/media_releases/2009/may/largest_biochar_research_project_in_australias_history

$6.3 million to help land managers adapt to climate change

The Australian Government is continuing to roll out programs to help primary producers adapt to climate change, with another $6.3 million recently announced. under the FarmReady Industry Grants—part of Australia’s Farming Future. The first round of 46 projects cover a wide range of industries, including forest-based industries, grains, cherries, turf, dairy, horticulture, pastures, macadamias, rice, abalone and aquaculture. For more information visit www.daff.gov.au/climatechange/australias-farming-future/farmready. Read the media release at http://www.maff.gov.au/media/media_releases/2009/may/$6.3_million_from_rudd_govt_to_help_land_managers_adapt_to_climate_change

Victorian siblings win prestigious land conservation award

A Victorian brother-and-sister farming team has been awarded the prestigious McKell Medal for their pioneering work in sustainable farming. Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke presented the award to Alice and Kevin Knight on behalf of the Natural Resource Management Ministerial Council.  More information is available at www.daff.gov.au/mckellmedal. Read the media release (http://www.maff.gov.au/media/media_releases/2009/may/victorian_siblings_win_prestigious_land_conservation_award) or the NRMMC communique at http://www.mincos.gov.au/media_releases

Australia joins UN in celebrating wool and cotton industries

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke recently paid tribute to our wool and cotton producers, saying they were world leaders in innovation and productivity. Mr Burke was speaking in Sydney at an event to mark the United Nations International Year of Natural Fibres. He launched a commemorative pre-stamped envelope produced by Australia Post to recognise our natural fibre industries, particularly cotton and wool. Read the media release at http://www.maff.gov.au/media/media_releases/2009/may/australia_joins_un_in_celebrating_wool_and_cotton_industries

Australia seeks urgent talks with EU on beef access

Australia is seeking urgent talks with the European Union to ensure a new tariff quota to be established on beef exports does not disadvantage our producers. The tariff quota is the result of bilateral negotiations between the European Union and the United States as part of a possible settlement to their WTO dispute on beef hormones. Read the media release at http://www.maff.gov.au/media/media_releases/2009/may/australia_seeks_urgent_talks_with_eu_on_beef_access

Government continues to work with forestry sector

The Australian Government continued its engagement with the forestry sector this week, with a meeting of the Forest and Wood Products Council. Key issues discussed included the potential impact of Great Southern going into voluntary administration on jobs, investment and rural communities and the government's progress on implementing election commitments for preparing Australian forest industries for the future. Read the media release at http://www.maff.gov.au/media/media_releases/2009/may/government_continues_to_work_with_forestry_sector

Promoting Australian industries to the world

Australia’s wine, dairy, sheep and wool producers will benefit from Australian Government funding of more than $775 000 to help promote the industries nationally and around the world. Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke has announced funding for four major events under the Promoting Australian Produce (Major Events) program. Details are available at www.daff.gov.au/ausproduceevents. Read the media release at http://www.maff.gov.au/media/media_releases/2009/may/rudd_government_promoting_australian_industries_to_the_world2

Advice accepted on western NSW Exceptional Circumstances regions

The Government has accepted independent advice that Exceptional Circumstances (EC) assistance should not be extended for ten regions in western New South Wales. EC assistance expired for nine regions on 31 March 2009 and for another region on 30 April 2009. However, assistance will continue unchanged for three areas which were extended in February 2009. Read the media release at http://www.maff.gov.au/media/media_releases/2009/may/advice_accepted_on_western_nsw_exceptional_circumstances_regions

Meat labelling on agenda for primary industries ministers

Calls for a national meat labelling system were high on the agenda for discussions at the recent Primary Industries Ministerial Council in Hobart. State, territory and federal primary industries ministers discussed a range of issues affecting the agriculture, fisheries and forestry sectors, including an update on the H1N1 influenza and drought reforms. Read the media release at http://www.maff.gov.au/media/media_releases/2009/may/meat_labelling_on_agenda_for_primary_industries_ministers or the PIMC communique at http://www.mincos.gov.au/media_releases

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.

islandNet needs you

islandNet is a network of people and organisations in Australia and the region involved or interested in island conservation issues. Members include researchers, field officers, government employees, consultants, companies with commercial interests involving islands, Indigenous and island community representatives. islandNet is run by the Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre, supported by the Australian Government's Caring for our Country program. If you would be interested in joining the network, or would like to find out more, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

PUBLICATIONS AND REPORTS

New report reveals social and economic impacts of forestry

A new report released by DAFF describes and quantifies the socio-economic impacts of forestry in Australia over time. Monitoring the social and economic impacts of forestry reports on research conducted to develop indicators which identify the social and economic cost and benefits of forestry; direct and flow-on benefits of forestry activity and the impacts of current policy settings on the forest industry. The indicators enable consistent monitoring of some key social and economic aspects of forestry in Australia, such as Indigenous forestry, using cost effective approaches. Case studies were carried out in Northeast Tasmania and the ‘Green Triangle’ on the Victorian and South Australia border. Access the report online.

ABARE reports: irrigating with less water

Two new ABARE reports show how reduced water allocations have affected the financial performance of irrigation farms in the Murray-Darling Basin. Water trading emerges as one way irrigators are responding to increased water scarcity. Download the reports—Irrigation in the Murray-Darling Basin: farms trading temporary water in 2006-07 and Irrigation in the Murray-Darling Basin: financial performance in 2006-07—from the ABARE website, by following the 'Latest releases' menu.

EVENTS

May is RabbitScan month

RabbitScan is a world-first 'rabbit census', using a community-based approach with Google Maps technology. Landholders, schools, industry, business and government representatives are urged to participate. Visit the RabbitScan website (www.rabbitscan.net.au/) to register and for more information.

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.